Tight track tension ruining track?

rowe · Mar 26, 2016

I have a challenger extreme 2.5 on my pro rmk with about 5000km on it. Been running the polaris spec track tension this winter which is pretty tight but anytime I adjust it to spec, I noticed that after the next ride the track would be loosened up a bit. For a while I just kept tightening it a bit but its still doing it.

Noticed today that the rear idlers make a bulge in the outside of the track, where the wheels ride. Only while the track is against the wheels. Looked closer and saw that some of the lugs are starting to tear on the outside, in the area where the rear wheels ride. The tearing is only on the outside of the track, looking on the inside there is no tear. When sections with the tear at the base of the lug, wrap about the rear idlers, you can see the tear open up.

Track is 2 years old. Looks like I might have to replace it in the future. Any opinions?? Would bigger aftermarket wheels help if track had less of a tight bend to go around?

Scott · Mar 26, 2016

How is the track alignment?

When you retighten the track, has the bolt been backing out, or are you actually pushing the rear axle back further each time?

rowe · Mar 26, 2016

The bolts aren't backing out, jam nuts are secure. Have been actually moving the axle back further each time.

Alignment seems ok coming off the drive cogs but if you look in at the rear idlers the inside track lugs seem to be very close to the rear wheels. No abnormal wear on idler wheels or inside track lugs though. As if the track is too far toward clutch side. But up in the tunnel and looking at the cogs alignment seems ok. I did notice though that when the adjustment bolts for the rear wheels are at even lengths, the track sags more on the exhaust side and seems tighter on the clutch side. Not sure if any of this is related to the problem.

Have also noticed, looking up into the tunnel, where the track rides over the top wheels, the track dips down in the center as if the top idler wheels sit too high or something. Maybe it's normal.

Scott · Mar 26, 2016

Sounds like the signs are trying to tell you something.
Without looking at it in person, it sounds like there is something. There may be some sort of alignment issue, whether it's drivers, bent rails, or rear axle.

rowe · Mar 26, 2016

The driveshaft and cogs were brand new this fall, drivers have no abnormal wear on them. I had the skid out a couple weeks ago and checked the rails and they looked straight. Also had rear axle apart in the fall and no issues with it. I still don't think any of that explains the buldge that the wheels are putting on the track. Maybe the bulge is normal from the tension on the rear wheels and the track has just come to the end of its life lol

Sheetmetalfab · Mar 26, 2016

rowe said:
The driveshaft and cogs were brand new this fall, drivers have no abnormal wear on them. I had the skid out a couple weeks ago and checked the rails and they looked straight. Also had rear axle apart in the fall and no issues with it. I still don't think any of that explains the buldge that the wheels are putting on the track. Maybe the bulge is normal from the tension on the rear wheels and the track has just come to the end of its life lol

My camox did the same.
Just run it.
Wont hurt anything.

rowe · Mar 27, 2016

Sheetmetalfab said:
My camox did the same.
Just run it.
Wont hurt anything.

Did yours also have the small tears at the base of the lugs in a few spots? I'm just afraid if I keep tightening it that they will keep getting bigger and eventually rip the track apart

diamonddave · Mar 27, 2016

Have any pics?

rowe · Mar 27, 2016

diamonddave said:
Have any pics?

I'm going to get some

rowe · Mar 27, 2016

Only letting me upload one at a time I think. From my phone

rowe · Mar 27, 2016

...

rowe · Mar 27, 2016

,,,

Jaynelson · Mar 27, 2016

A track with 5,000kms stretches after every ride? Something about that sounds off

Sheetmetalfab · Mar 28, 2016

rowe said:
Did yours also have the small tears at the base of the lugs in a few spots? I'm just afraid if I keep tightening it that they will keep getting bigger and eventually rip the track apart

It had a bunch of tears in it yes.
Lost a ton of lugs on rocks and trees.
Still going strong on a buddies sled.

rowe · Mar 28, 2016

Sheetmetalfab said:
It had a bunch of tears in it yes.
Lost a ton of lugs on rocks and trees.
Still going strong on a buddies sled.

Did it keep loosening up?

Maybe my track isn't stretching, maybe the wheels are just wearing into the track more. Very weird though.

I might tighten it to spec once more and then leave it be.

Scott · Mar 28, 2016

rowe said:
Did it keep loosening up?

Maybe my track isn't stretching, maybe the wheels are just wearing into the track more. Very weird though.

I might tighten it to spec once more and then leave it be.

If it's not ratcheting at spec.

rowe · Mar 28, 2016

No ratcheting when tightened to Polaris spec, or after it seems to loosen up. It seems a bit loose but not loose enough to ratchet.

Sheetmetalfab · Mar 28, 2016

rowe said:
Did it keep loosening up?

Maybe my track isn't stretching, maybe the wheels are just wearing into the track more. Very weird though.

I might tighten it to spec once more and then leave it be.

It didn't keep loosening.
But like i said at first it did exactly everything else you described.
The wheels telegraph through the track more on the new single ply tracks.
NBD.

rowe · Mar 28, 2016

Sheetmetalfab said:
It didn't keep loosening.
But like i said at first it did exactly everything else you described.
The wheels telegraph through the track more on the new single ply tracks.
NBD.

That makes me feel a bit better. I'm gonna tighten up a little to spec again and keep running it for now. appreciate the info

Tight track tension ruining track?

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