one question, I am currently in the process of swapping a 2010 600 144 2' to a 155 2.4'. I have 2 2.86" drivers but do not have the center driver like a stock 155 does. Do I need this one or can I get away with the two main drivers?
CENTER DRIVER... NEEDED OR NOT ?
- Thread starter BJorgy17
- Start date
No worries... I've removed MOST of the center drivers on all the IQ and PRO chassis sleds I've worked on... regardless of engine size... IMO... the center driver is a waste.
Proper tensioning, as laid out in the factory owners manual, is needed... and you have to keep checking/adjusting it over the course of the first 5-10 rides until the track is broken in and has taken it's initial stretch.
Just make sure your old track is a 2.86" pitch... I thought the 144 x 2" lug in 2010 were a 2.52" pitch??? (I could just be getting old though)
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Proper tensioning, as laid out in the factory owners manual, is needed... and you have to keep checking/adjusting it over the course of the first 5-10 rides until the track is broken in and has taken it's initial stretch.
Just make sure your old track is a 2.86" pitch... I thought the 144 x 2" lug in 2010 were a 2.52" pitch??? (I could just be getting old though)
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Oops my bad. I purchased 2 new 2.86" drivers. Stock on a 144 2" is 2.52. Thanks for your help!
Just FYI from my experience with the stock center driver, I decided to try and remove it to see if there was any pros or cons on my old 2012 Assault. It for sure ratcheted the track MORE. I had the track at polaris spec tightness. I ended up having it to be banjo string tight and it would still ratchet on hard landings or high load scenarios...
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geo
Well-known member
Funny, I've heard the same thing yet some recommend it out. The guy a Tracks Canada hates it ( I mean really hates it lol) and wouldn't even sell me a punched track (hates those too lol).
I wonder if it is the type of snow or riding style. Anyhow I decided if Poo left it in and it hasn't caused me any negative issues, I would stick with a punched track and leave it in since I was using the stock style drivers.
I wonder if it is the type of snow or riding style. Anyhow I decided if Poo left it in and it hasn't caused me any negative issues, I would stick with a punched track and leave it in since I was using the stock style drivers.
DHP,
I have removed the center driver even on Turbo Sleds, as does Carls, no ratcheting.... I wonder what is different with our setups?
Heck, even Camplast, who makes the tracks, says that it is not necessary.
For all 7 tooth installs, I will only use the Avid PC style drivers... and I also use them on most installs if using an 8 tooth driver on 2.25" lug height (or less) tracks. I only use 7 tooth on any tracks that 2.5" or taller unless a D&R drive-train is installed.
The AVID "PC style" combo drivers, IMO, are a superior way to provide back-up ratchet protection if you want it... even the Polaris IQ race sleds come with this Avid style driver as OEM equipped.
If you don't want to trim you rails... the Avid 7-tooth center extro drivers that they worked on with Carls last year are your option for 3" and 2.86" pitch bigger tracks. If you don't want to trim the rails.
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I have removed the center driver even on Turbo Sleds, as does Carls, no ratcheting.... I wonder what is different with our setups?
Heck, even Camplast, who makes the tracks, says that it is not necessary.
For all 7 tooth installs, I will only use the Avid PC style drivers... and I also use them on most installs if using an 8 tooth driver on 2.25" lug height (or less) tracks. I only use 7 tooth on any tracks that 2.5" or taller unless a D&R drive-train is installed.
The AVID "PC style" combo drivers, IMO, are a superior way to provide back-up ratchet protection if you want it... even the Polaris IQ race sleds come with this Avid style driver as OEM equipped.
If you don't want to trim you rails... the Avid 7-tooth center extro drivers that they worked on with Carls last year are your option for 3" and 2.86" pitch bigger tracks. If you don't want to trim the rails.
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I wonder if it is the type of snow or riding style. Anyhow I decided if Poo left it in and it hasn't caused me any negative issues, I would stick with a punched track and leave it in since I was using the stock style drivers.[/QUOTE]
Depends on what track it is , if it's the comp track that explains a lot . That track is the most unforgiving aggressive non flexing track out there . There's certain conditions when that track will grab going vertical that the whole machine will start shaking because it won't let go and is hurling frosty the snowman and his family out the back . For as aggressive at it is I haven't heard of anyone actually nuking one out the back . It has to make the manufacture proud .
Depends on what track it is , if it's the comp track that explains a lot . That track is the most unforgiving aggressive non flexing track out there . There's certain conditions when that track will grab going vertical that the whole machine will start shaking because it won't let go and is hurling frosty the snowman and his family out the back . For as aggressive at it is I haven't heard of anyone actually nuking one out the back . It has to make the manufacture proud .
I cut my center driver off with no negative effect. My track is too loose from neglect rather than intentional and still never ratcheted.
My track was a polaris 5.1 series track, NOT the comp track. It did have the F-bomb mod done to it where the nubs were cut down. The snow conditions at the time were spring like snow conditions. I ended up selling the sled so I don't know if it is still doing. And the reason I decided to cut the center driver out was from the many praising reviews I read here. I didn't really have any ratcheting issues prior to cutting the center driver out, but afterwards it was very apparent and very annoying. This was on stock power. When the sled was turboed previously, I was running in stock driver configuration with no track ratcheting problems. I am just sharing my personal experience. IMO I think the center driver is a great idea, get the best of both worlds, but I know that this is a debate not for this thread.
My 15 is my first sled I've had with the center driver or an "anti ratchet" design driver at all. Every sled I've owned I've had the track banjo tight and they've all ratcheted on me. Maybe it's riding style who knows, but I can't seem to keep tracks from ratcheting.
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roni87
Well-known member
I've had my assaults do this too and the reason is the way the front torque arm is mounted in the tunnel. With the assault having the front of the skid lowered, the suspension is keeping the track tight. Once the front track spring compresses the track will become slack. Moving the skid to the rmk position will help.
I ran mine too in the upper RMK hole in the tunnel from the get go...
Hey guys, I know this is an old thread now, however just wanted to provide some experience from the past season. I put wahl bros in the 2010 iq 600 with the series 5.1 and avids on a 2012 600 with the same track. I went without the center driver on both of these setups, and neither ratcheted a single time all season...I even had my track lose to the point of when I drove on the trail you could see it bouncing up and down ( I tightened it slightly after that) and still nothing. Now these are less powered sleds than the 800's maybe that makes a difference. But from my experience you DO NOT need the center driver. MY 0.02
Yes... I've centered a couple (2) ... one was pretty bad.
Yes. there is some room for play and movement. Generally if you have properly marked the drivers it should move freely but be centered while under tension (Rotation)
