Vector ltx runs great then the IDIOT WALK

[yamadoo]

I was so pleased for just less than 4 miles with my LTX - studded, curves realigned, new hand guard mirror combo, all new this year- then grinding noise when on power, coasts just fine to a stop.

One look and guess what no rear axel, no wheels NOTHING.

What an idiot!!!!! I forgot to tighten the rear Axel.

Now I remember not having the right wrench in April when I repaired the transfer rod. So I left it for LATER. Well I got the other sleds ready to go and never tightened the axel.

Luckily I found the axel, one-big spacer one little spacer, and two wheels on the long walk back in the snow and dark.

I couldn't believe no sleds came bye .

Well lessons learned and probably had gotten to confident to riding solo.

So be careful thank GOD it was 3.5 not 35 miles

I feel better, kind of like confession of an idiot I guess.

 

[helmic]

Walk

I guess it had to happen to all of us at less one time in the pass I know it happen to me. Chalk it up as a "Live And Learn" experience I know I did!!! Your luck it wasn't -25.....

 

[TRUE BLUE SINCE 1980]

Dude, you were by yourself....know body had to know!

 

[snow tundra]

Do not fill bad I did that one time when I changed the hyfax. Went back and found the wheel but not the nut. Fixed it the next day.

 

[Redbeard]

Main thing is you're ok.

 

[smokingcrater]

I did something similar after some clutch work one time. You should always re-check the torque on a clutch bolt after a short drive, for a reason! I didn't, and about 7 miles from home my engine rpms suddenly shot up, and I stopped... Clutch was spinning on the shaft, and the bolt was no where to be found!

 

[Irv]

Thanks for sharing your story, you just reminded me to go over everything again just to be sure.

 

[Ultrafrozen]

Never had that happen before but I can relate. I left the old oil gasket on the sled when changing the oil filter. All was good until the kid took it out in -25C temp a few weeks later and the increased pressure popped the two gaskets out. Oil everywhere!!!

 

[APEX 06]

I did the samething two years ago on the only ride I got that hole year do to poor snow. We had trailer 6 hrs to fine snow.

 

[Roger]

Dude, you were by yourself....know body had to know!

My thoughts exactly!!!

 

[Metallicat]

It happened to me 7 years ago. I did not tighten my rear axle nut after adjusting the track tension. Rear wheels blew off. I found one and don't recall how I made it back. I was riding with three others. Three years ago I was sweeping my garage and stumbled upon a nut...it was from my front suspension after installing oilite bushings. Not good!

 

[yamadoo]

I know no one had to know. I was just so mad at my self I was not interested in 'saving face' . I kinda was beating myself up you could say. Thanks to the guys who said they had been there too.

Any way stupid is as stupid does, with sometime passing I have moved on to remember I really liked the way the sled rode and handled the way I have it set up now!

I will have some time of after Christmas and will be up on the north shore and NE MN trails with family so if you see a gaggle of yamahas - vectors, blue and white, black Venture and possibly an Apex black speak up likely to be my crew - God willing and the parts stay on. lol

 

[CaptCaper]

Good point to bring up. Many of us who work on our sleds may be in a hurry and or get distracted. So go slow and always double check before closing shop.
I forgot to tighten the upper wheel on the wife s machine. We lost it but it kept going o.k. I was embarrassed.

 

[jat59]

I lost a wheel off my axle too. Luckily my buddy right behind me saw it rolling down the trail and picked it up. No nut to be found though so I decided once was enough. I drilled a hole in the axle and added a cotter pin so the nut could never "disappear" on me again.

 

[Irv]

I lost a wheel off my axle too. Luckily my buddy right behind me saw it rolling down the trail and picked it up. No nut to be found though so I decided once was enough. I drilled a hole in the axle and added a cotter pin so the nut could never "disappear" on me again.

Good idea!