Sled sometimes grinds and won't go into reverse

[MXD]

Is this more than likely an adjustment in the linkage or is it indicative of impeding doom (or should I say BOOM)?

Sled only has 1500 miles on it and it has already had 3 complete services at the dealer (one at the end of each season)

 

[tomanytoyz]

more likely an adjustment,mine was.check your chain tension also.

 

[Budweiser]

Adjustment. Mine did the exact same thing and I thought the same as you. I adjusted it and it hasn't done it since.

Its an awful noise!!!

 

[eddietcat01]

I had the same problem on my first ride. If it just started doing this you should be able to adjust it. My dealer adjusted it and it did it again the second time out. I insisted the take the chaincase cover off and look for damage. The "buttons" that engage reverse gear to the primary gear were worn and needed replacing. Part of this was my fault though. I was mad that my brand new machine was doing this, and I kept trying to get it in reverse. Not smart!

 

[NSTECH]

Is this more than likely an adjustment in the linkage or is it indicative of impeding doom (or should I say BOOM)?

Sled only has 1500 miles on it and it has already had 3 complete services at the dealer (one at the end of each season)

As long as this condition hasn't been going on for too long there is probably no damage done. If you take off the right side panel you will see the shifter linkage. Make sure the shifter is in the forward position. Set the top rod length to 27 mm between the lock nuts. You will see the lower part of the linkage runs vertically. Loosen the two lock nuts. Reach in and turn the linkage aliottle bit each way until you feel some free-play. The tension you feel as you turn it is the shifter fork in the case coming up against the sides of the channel it runs in. Turn the linkage back slightly until you feel resistance and there is no longer any free-play, then go back approx 1/4 turn so you have a small amount of free-play again. When you have it set right you should be able to feel a small amount of free-play at the bottom of this link with the shifter in the forward position. If there is no free-play in this linkage the reverse gear does not fully engage and skipps out under load. If the problem persists after this adjustment you have probably rounded the corners of the gear dogs. The other gain to having this adjusted correctly is far less wear to the shift buttons from riding against the sides of the channel. Having that free-play means there is no pressure in this area when riding in forward gear. Hope this helps.[/quote]

 

[NSTECH]

Is this more than likely an adjustment in the linkage or is it indicative of impeding doom (or should I say BOOM)?

Sled only has 1500 miles on it and it has already had 3 complete services at the dealer (one at the end of each season)

Just another note on this topic. This linkage free-play should be checked at the intial assembly/PDI and any full service after. I have made adjustments to alot of these machines right out of the crate to make sure this issue never came up after the sale.