zx2 issue

[stomper]

I noticed the other day that the clips on my track are wearing into the hyax on my zx2. It looks like the skid is to far over to the right side. I caught it just in time befor it started wearing into the rail. My measured the track and it is centered in my tunnel so it's obviously the skid that is off. The back is fine, it's like the skid is installed crooked in the tunnel. I tried to see if I could move the track to the right by adjusting the rear idler but it never worked, I didn't think it would but it was worth a try. I let the sled come to a straight stop on its own several times on a level section of trail and it ends up in the same place as shown in the pictures, everythime. The only thing that I can think of to fix it is to add a spacer to the front right mount adapter and take off the same amount on the front left mount adapter to center the skid. It's a simple fix, I just don't know why it has to be done. What do you guys think. Has this happened to anyone before.

Right side

left side

 

[Dano]

Happened to me on my 136 ZX-2 Apex. I had my track a bit loose and ratcheted a bit. I'm guessing when I ratcheted, it bent a clip up a bit and chewed in the slider and rail.
I would inspect all your clips and see if any are bent up a bit or damaged.

Dan

 

[stomper]

I will inspect the clips but I don't think thats the issue. I believe it is because the skid is not centered in the front of the tunnel and is sitting off to the right side. You can see in the pictures the difference from the outside lug on the right side compared to the outside lug on the left side. It's right up against the rail on the right side and that is where the wear on the slider is. At the back of the skid the lugs are close to equal distance from each rail, maybe a bit closer on the right side but the position on the front may be causing that.
I could feel some vibration just under my feet every once in a while on hard pack, where the front mounts are, maybe the lugs and clips rubbing the slider is the cause.

 

[Dano]

I will inspect the clips but I don't think thats the issue. I believe it is because the skid is not centered in the front of the tunnel and is sitting off to the right side. You can see in the pictures the difference from the outside lug on the right side compared to the outside lug on the left side. It's right up against the rail on the right side and that is where the wear on the slider is. At the back of the skid the lugs are close to equal distance from each rail, maybe a bit closer on the right side but the position on the front may be causing that.
I could feel some vibration just under my feet every once in a while on hard pack, where the front mounts are, maybe the lugs and clips rubbing the slider is the cause.

Well maybe that's the cause for mine to bend a clip as well. I couldn't pin point it and assumed clip bent by ratcheting.
I sold my Apex so can't check it out anymore.

Dan

 

[stomper]

The front of the slider was square before the wearing started. Maybe on yours a clip caught the front of the slider and bent it before you had too much wear and then the clip wore out the slider and rail . Do you remember if the front of your skid was centered with your track lugs. It is very apperent in my pictures that mine isn't

 

[subaru2006]

Mines the same way but off the left on the front. It is also no where near as bad either. My guess would be that the rails are not straight at the front. Meaning the rail itself if checked for level wouldn't be. You have to remember this skid is plastic.

I would just check alignment again before trying any spacer ideas. I will try and get pictures of mind.

Subaru2006

 

[subaru2006]

Thats on the right. You see no rub marks

This on the left with rub marks.

I honestly don't think my track was aligned good in these pictures but it is still close on the left side. Ill have my skid out to change my slides and ill see if my rails are as straight as the other side.

Subaru2006

 

[stomper]

So you are saying that the rails may be bent from factory or they may be torqued or twisted from the instalation. How close are the outside drive lugs on the track to your rails/sliders, left and right side. I will check tomorrow and maybe pull the skid to check. Just when I was realy starting to like this skid.

 

[subaru2006]

Its weird but when i measure lug to rail its equal on both sides until i get to the front. That's when the left side gets closer and its only 2-4mm difference. The right side stays the same distance from the rear to the front.

I don't have an answer for this but maybe someone can chime in.

Subaru2006

 

[Grimm]

Did you look at the driveshaft and drivers' positions on the shaft? Maybe they are out of alignment. Did you ever replace the track? Maybe the shaft wasn't installed correctly.

Also make sure that both shocks in the ZX2 are set in the same position...if not, that may cause a twisting motion where one side of the track is tighter than the other.

 

[KevinS]

Mine is closer on the front right as well but not as bad as yours.

I have always had a hell of a time getting the track aligned with this skid. Put it up on a stand and get it nice and aligned but then when i actually go ride it for a while it is no longer aligned.

 

[subaru2006]

This skid always seems harder to align then others. I've put on three tracks and had ulmer put anti ratchets on the shaft but i installed them. So i don't think that's the problem. I think since plastics are easy to mold they might not have been straight from the start. Not sure really but when i pull the skid later this week ill take some measurements to check and see.

Subaru2006

 

[kinger]

Here are some tips I have figured out over the years:

Alignment on this skid, I use a strict measurement from the rear idler wheels to a static point on the rails (usually the middle of the bolt on a idler wheel). I was never able to get it aligned on a stand or anything, since I started this its perfect every time.

I have moved this skid twice to a different sled and used the mount for the RX1 in the apex based on measuring only. When I was measuring I installed the skid I had to tweak the front arm on one side VERY hard to get the holes to line up, I thought I had the plates installed incorrectly. Tried it out and bam it was perfectly centered on the rails. So when you remove the skid and install the front holes if you can get both sides in without using a ratchet strap to suck one side forward or back then its not correct. ie it should NOT just drop into place. Its a PITA to get mine bolted in again but it tracks straight as a arrow.

I will check my front slide wear to see if mine has ever hit them. I'm running a 13.5" track and it worked perfect this last trip so centering is extremely important. I have never had the vibration that some claim either. If anyone needs a measurement let me know!

 

[subaru2006]

Ive never have any vibrations or noise issues either. I do the same to align my track by measuring from rear idler to a point before the extension plate since mine is 144". Then i just fine tune it to make sure my clips are equal on both sides.


After the first install of the skid which was a b****. Then i used a ratchet to pull the front part of skid up. I wrapped the axle for the front frame mount and the axle on the rails which keep it pretty even. I learned its now easier to install it by putting a small strap through the circle holes in the skid and wrap the rear bumper to ratchet the skid up and back after i already bolted the front mount. Right or wrong it works and doesn't appear to tweak the skid.

Subaru2005

 

[stomper]

Sounds like this is not just a problem that I am having. to align the track I have always drove the sled in a straight line on level hard pack and let the sled come to a stop on its own and see where the track is sitting, then adjust as nessisary. I have been told that this is the way the sled will be operating on the trail so align it as it will be used, with the weight of the sled on it. It has worked for me so far. I remember the guy I bought the skid from telling me that it was too rough for him so he removed one of the shocks to try and see if that helped but he replaced it. That had me thinking that when he put the skid back together it was not straight and tweaked a bit, if this could happen. Most likely once all the shafts are in place it would self align. To install the skid I put the rear bolts in first, raise the back of the sled high enough so the fron of the skid drops, put a floor jack under the front of the skid and adjust the jack up or down to get the front mount to line up. There is no pushing or struggling. I'm not sure what think but I will be pulling the skid today to investigate. The track is sitting straight in the tunnel as far as I can tell so it has to be the skid.