When is ratcheting not really ratcheting...

[Goddo]

I think I might have come across something tonight that could explain the ratcheting noise that some of us were hearing.

I decided to set up my sled for my next ride so I got down on the floor and did an inspection of the track (as I usually do). I adjusted my spring pre-load and noticed that some of the track clips had some plastic fused to them.

My theory is this. The noise I was hearing couldn't be ratcheting because it went away after the track loosened up a little. Normally ratcheting is caused by too loose a track. So, if the noise wasn't from ratcheting what could it be? My theory is that the plastic that is fused to some of the clips is actually pieces of hyfax. I noticed that the hyfax at the end of the rails is very rough feeling. I think that perhaps there was a small amount of excess hyfax beyond the end of the rail. When I accelerated the sled hard, the weight transfer pushed the skid back enough so that the clips were rubbing the end of the hyfax making a hard (ratcheting) rubbing sound. Once the ends were worn off, the noise stopped..

What do you think? Could I be right?

I know a few of us have heard this noise and mistaken it for ratcheting. Some people went so far as to overtighten their tracks.

 

[unpride]

I haven't heard a ratchet noise but I did have the hyfax on the clips. You could be on to something here.

 

[NB-NYTRO]

anything is possible.. I have had zero ratching problems and my sliders are like new.

 

[terret725]

wouldnt suprise me when we run sleds on the stands at work u hear a loud click ratchet like sound from the front on prtty much every sled. ive gotten so use to it i block it out. but i have notcied on my phazer a ratchiting like sound when it transfers. ill wait to see if it goes away after i get some actual miles on it.

 

[Goddo]

anything is possible.. I have had zero ratching problems and my sliders are like new.

My sliders are like new as well...I only have 60kms on the sled...But there is some plastic fused to the clips and the rear ends of the sliders are rough like they rubbed up against something...no problems on the fronts.

 

[bagadonitz]

I will be checking for this.

I only have 40 km on it but the first 10 were so bad with what I thought was ratcheting I couldn't get on it hard at all, just smooth throttle application. If I tried to gun it, it would make the god awful noise. I bought it home and checked deflection and without 22 lbs it was at least 2.5 inches (thanks dealer for charging me PDI and missing the track deflection).

I adjusted to spec and it went away for the last 30 km. From now on, I'm loosening each side 1/4 turn before each ride till it does it again. The track is so damn tight now there is no way hyfax will last.

 

[racingronnie]

Noise quit after first track adjustment & good long run. I'm running them a bit on the loose side with no issues.

 

[NB-NYTRO]

I noticed my dealer had my track pretty tight. Maybe they knew what they were doing?

 

[unpride]

Mine was tight too but has loosened up somewhat and is now perfect

 

[NB-NYTRO]

whats your guys's definetion of ratcheting? Mine is when the track jumps on the drive shaft. Are we talking about the same thing?

 

[gormleyflyer2002]

did it first ride......I was pissed........adjusted track and have 400km and no ratchet.......will leave it and see from now on.

 

[unchained]

One theory I heard on here is that the "ratcheting" will reduce or go away after a few hundred miles. Once the track is broke in and after adjusted properly, the rubber will follow the drivers and not jump as easily. We'll see after this weekend in my case.....

 

[AKrider]

You may be on to something. My sled gave me some indications that it was ratcheting but I didn't notice any vibration down by my feet. I thought that was weird. After tightening my track the first time to specs, I've noticed nothing abnormal.

 

[Vmax4]

I run my tracks just as loose as they can go without ratcheting. I would suggest the method listed here, start loose, break in, adjust to the loosest you can do without ratcheting. 5000 miles on an RX-1 with original highfax. Over 10,000 miles on a 1990 Phazer with original hyfax, and a few houndred on the new FX Nytro.

 

[unchained]

I run my tracks just as loose as they can go without ratcheting. I would suggest the method listed here, start loose, break in, adjust to the loosest you can do without ratcheting. 5000 miles on an RX-1 with original highfax. Over 10,000 miles on a 1990 Phazer with original hyfax, and a few houndred on the new FX Nytro.

WOW! 2 sleds--15,000 miles both on original hyfax.