Track Tension

[shawnj]

Just changed the slides on a 08 APex. I measured so I knew where to tighten back up to but with the new slides should it be this tight. Usually I just guess but wondering if anyone here has a simple rule of thumb, other than putting a weitght on track and measuring that way. If I go too loose, I imagine it will ratchet. I did a search before I asked, really I did.

 

[stevieu1]

i run mine pretty loose.i can pull the track down about 1-1/2" and it doesnt ratchet.slides last too.also have a wheel kit.

 

[APEX 06]

1 1/2" hang under the bump stops on the rails.

 

[shawnj]

Really. 1.5 inches. Is that free hanging? I think I'm at 3/4 inch currently.

 

[scubadoo]

thats what i go with 1.5 free hang 3000miles one a set of sliders no problem

 

[Terminator]

With all the issues I had w/ premature hyfax wear last year I finally gave in and bought the $30 tool that measures it exact!

 

[shawnj]

Didn't know there was a tool. There is 3300 miles on sled. Slides might have been fine for this year as I have the marginal wheel kit at the front bend on both our sleds know. So most of the wear was likely before I put the wheels on. I think this sled had ratcheted a couple times that's why I was running a tad tighter. Maybe I will loosen off some.

 

[thor452]

When you put wheel kit on did you adjust track? If not then where it was before is too tight with new slides. Should let off a little. if you think its too tight then it most likely is.

 

[Irv]

Mine free hangs 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 and have zero ratcheting issues.
(These tracks come way to tight from the factory and their recommended tension is also too tight)

Try your's and go from there, it will definitely help with the hyfax wear

 

[shawnj]

Thanks all. Maybe I will loosen to 1.25 to start with a cold track, well cold in the garage that is. Twice over the past few years I thought it might have ratcheted. I had asked on here back then to see what people thought but mose were unsure of what I was trying to explain as I had never heard of that happening before. For those that are interested, what happened both times were, the machine came to a stop for a second, when it went to move throttle was given, engine reving, sounded like it should be moving, but nothing. It was like something was spinning and you could hear that something was turning, and no I didnt check jackshaft to make sure it was turning nor the track. I will check all this next time if it happens to try to determine what is going on. We got it to move only by switching to reverse then forward again and I could not get it to do it again even if I tried. SO, I think the concensus here was track too loose . ?????

 

[sleddog66]

Thanks all. Maybe I will loosen to 1.25 to start with a cold track, well cold in the garage that is. Twice over the past few years I thought it might have ratcheted. I had asked on here back then to see what people thought but mose were unsure of what I was trying to explain as I had never heard of that happening before. For those that are interested, what happened both times were, the machine came to a stop for a second, when it went to move throttle was given, engine reving, sounded like it should be moving, but nothing. It was like something was spinning and you could hear that something was turning, and no I didnt check jackshaft to make sure it was turning nor the track. I will check all this next time if it happens to try to determine what is going on. We got it to move only by switching to reverse then forward again and I could not get it to do it again even if I tried. SO, I think the concensus here was track too loose . ?????

A ratcheting track will clunk or pop under hard accel because the drivers are slipping on the track lugs. sled will still move...Your description does not sound like this to me. JMO

 

[shawnj]

Ya. Not sure what it would of been then. You could hear what sounded like the track spinning but wasn't goin anywhere. ALmost like stuck on ice and spinning but once it was on groomed trail and the other time is was going up through a bit of a water hole, some ice coming over the hump but it has studs so it wasn't spinning there.

 

[thor452]

sounds to me like your reverse is out of adjustment tends to make a whine/grind noise when inbetween gears.

 

[chiefsledhead]

A tight track takes horsepower. All the mountain guys run as loose as possible, that s why they buy anti ratchet drivers. What I have done is run it as loose as possible. If it starts to rachet, then tighten it bit by bit til it stops. Then you know you are getting the max horsepower and longest hifax wear.

 

[stevieu1]

x2,my slides tend to burn real quick to a point,then it stops and doesent wear for a long time.last year i changed them just because i had the skid out,but still had 1/4 inch left till the wear line,and these were the ones on when i bought it.put on 2700 mi.