AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
Why you should checkSometimes the alignment from the factory may require the engine to be twisted slightly forward so it twists back to parallel under load as it goes up against a rubber stop.
I'm not a big fan of the rubber stops, as they allow engine vibration to transfer back into the chassis under load.
My preference is a torque link using rod ends in tension as this allows the engine to move without transferring vibrations to the chassis. If the rubber bumpers aren't adjusted correctly, you may get too much twist if the gap is too large in the unloaded condition.
Last year we had a new model with tons of belt problems, until we discovered that the rubber bumper had not been adjusted at the factory.
Apparently the correct clearance should have been .020 inches in the unloaded condition, but in order to more easily install the engines on the production line, the bumper had been moved all the way back, and somehow hadn't been adjusted forward again. Instead of the recommended .020 inches it had a clearance of .250 inches.
As a result the engine twisted badly and the owners blew several belts a weekend. In most cases this is caught in quality control, or on the dealer level.
Experienced snowmobilers usually check the alignment at least once a season in order to be ready for winter fun. If you start having belt breakage problems, the usual suspects are alignment, offset, or bad motor mounts and rubber stops.
Checking alignment is fairly easy and by now mostly a standard procedure. Getting the right alignment tools makes the job easy, and if the factory doesn't have them available, there are a number of aftermarket companies that specialize in these items.
Blowing belts isn't only costly and messy, it also puts a damper on your trip. Learning to check alignment and correct problems will not only save you money, it also pays you back with good performance and less trouble on trips!