Track adjusters keep blowing out

[XP123]

Yes just a nylock lock nut.
Once Rear axle is torqued to proper specs There should be no strain on these adjusters. Hell you could take them off if you wanted. These adjusters are there to align and tighten track prior to the axle tightened. they are not there to keep tension on the track. With all the Cat's and Yami's we sell I have only seen one of these adjusters fail.
Something not right or Not tightened Properly from the guy in this post.

Thanks Don. The operators manual says to tighten the rear axle bolts and then tighten the adjusts against them. From what you are saying you don't need to tighten the adjusters against them. I wonder why the op had the track come real loose? It sounds like the dealer didn't tighten the rear axle nuts enough.

I will be picking up a snap ring that holds the brake rotor that I ordered from your parts guy when it comes in.

 

[HMTurbo]

Thanks Don. The operators manual says to tighten the rear axle bolts and then tighten the adjusts against them. From what you are saying you don't need to tighten the adjusters against them. I wonder why the op had the track come real loose? It sounds like the dealer didn't tighten the rear axle nuts enough.

I will be picking up a snap ring that holds the brake rotor that I ordered from your parts guy when it comes in.

I haven't done it that way and have had no issues. I know when adjusting track tension it seems like the slightest turn can move it. How much does it say to tighten the adjuster against the axle? I know with the axles tight they shouldn't move very easy but you can push a tremendous amount of force thru threads. The only time I'd walk it back was after loosening it. If you are tightening it should already have pressure on the axle.

 

[XP123]

I haven't done it that way and have had no issues. I know when adjusting track tension it seems like the slightest turn can move it. How much does it say to tighten the adjuster against the axle? I know with the axles tight they shouldn't move very easy but you can push a tremendous amount of force thru threads. The only time I'd walk it back was after loosening it. If you are tightening it should already have pressure on the axle.

I'm thinking to only snug up the adjuster bolts so there is no gap between them and the axle. I don't think you need any real pressure.

 

[FrozenTows4]

Manual says

Axle Bolt 34ftlbs
Adjusting Bolts Snug

 

[KnappAttack]

Manual says

Axle Bolt 34ftlbs
Adjusting Bolts Snug

Exactly,
Right in the manual it says tighten the axle bolt to 34 ft. lbs. then TQ the adjuster bolts to 89 inch lbs.

I had my adjuster bolts start backing off as I did not know you had to tq down the adjuster bolts as well. The axle bolts held firm though.

 

[Sevey]

I believe the axle bolts should have blue Loctite on them as well.

If they are torqued properly they will have all those parts sandwiched tight and should never come loose.
MS

 

[ROCKERDAN]

It does show lock nuts in the parts list but there are no lock nuts on my sleds adjuster bolts.

Huh? LOL...they would just move around without nylock nuts

 

[ROCKERDAN]

Mine seems fine, and I adjust this sled like every sled I have owned since I was a kid..lol

I adjust track, then crank tight the axle bolts(two wrenches, one each side) I dont do anything after that with adjusters, just go ride.

Dan

 

[XP123]

Huh? LOL...they would just move around without nylock nuts

I was talking about lock nuts that you have to loosen before making an adjustment then tighten back up after. Just like they used to have on all the track adjusters at one time. There are nyloc nuts on our Winders but they don't lock the adjusters like a lock nut would. The adjuster moves in and out without having to unlock any nut.

 

[swampcat]

I was talking about lock nuts that you have to loosen before making an adjustment then tighten back up after. Just like they used to have on all the track adjusters at one time. There are nyloc nuts on our Winders but they don't lock the adjusters like a lock nut would. The adjuster moves in and out without having to unlock any nut.

What you are refering to is a JAM nut. And no, this sled does not have one.

 

[dgjr636]

Mine seems fine, and I adjust this sled like every sled I have owned since I was a kid..lol

I adjust track, then crank tight the axle bolts(two wrenches, one each side) I dont do anything after that with adjusters, just go ride.

Dan

Yes Dan 98% if the time your method will work just fine and rear axle should not move with the axle being nice and tight. But,
With this adjuster design if the adjuster bolt gets a little loose from vibration this can cause wear on the rail and the adjuster holder.

The aluminum adjuster block just gets pushed through the rail. The only thing holding it in is the nylock nut and the adjuster bolt. If these were to come loose the hardened steel nut will wear into the rail and the aluminum adjuster. Plus the aluminum adjuster Block can wear into the rail also. This we have seen.

Yes if the rear axle is tightened properly this will not cause the rear axle to shift or change track tension but will cause the rail and adjuster block to get worn over time if it get loose.

So even if your track is aligned/ tension is correct and rear axle is tight it’s still a good idea to make sure your tensioner is not loosy goosy creating wear on the rails and adjuster block.


This is not the issue with the original post.
My belief is the rear axle on this unit is not being tightened properly and the aluminum adjuster block is being blown apart from to much stress put on it and rear axle shifting.

 

[XP123]

What you are refering to is a JAM nut. And no, this sled does not have one.

Yes I see that now and I've been calling them lock nuts for years. Even the nut on the chain adjuster I have been calling a lock nut when in fact the proper term is jam nut.

 

[KnappAttack]

Mine seems fine, and I adjust this sled like every sled I have owned since I was a kid..lol

I adjust track, then crank tight the axle bolts(two wrenches, one each side) I dont do anything after that with adjusters, just go ride.

Dan

Yes, the Doo way of doing things, but you'll change you mind Dan when the adjuster bolts loosen up and vibrate out, which is what happens on the Cat. You'll wonder where the adjuster bolt went along with the nuts and holder!

I had mine loosen up and was lucky to catch it before they went by by.

You HAVE to tighten them up after torquing the axle or pay the price after they loosen up I'm afraid. Its not the same as the Doo unfortunately.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

Yes, the Doo way of doing things, but you'll change you mind Dan when the adjuster bolts loosen up and vibrate out, which is what happens on the Cat. You'll wonder where the adjuster bolt went along with the nuts and holder!

I had mine loosen up and was lucky to catch it before they went by by.

You HAVE to tighten them up after torquing the axle or pay the price after they loosen up I'm afraid. Its not the same as the Doo unfortunately.

Seems odd....I tighten mine initially, then torque axle. So how can i tighten mine more?

You have to remember I run my track very tight as always, so the adjusters have quite abit of pressure on them as I always do over the yrs. Ill keep eye on them but they sure seem tight to me so far.

Dan

 

[XP123]

Seems odd....I tighten mine initially, then torque axle. So how can i tighten mine more?

You have to remember I run my track very tight as always, so the adjusters have quite abit of pressure on them as I always do over the yrs. Ill keep eye on them but they sure seem tight to me so far.

Dan

Maybe they need a lock nut so they won't back out? OOPS I mean a JAM nut!