another shaft failure

[Mentzel]

I finished putting in my steel 2005 shaft today. Weight difference is maybe a 1/3 can of beer.

Did you happen to measure the end to end length on the 05' shaft? The IQ chassis shafts are 1/2" longer overall than the Rush. I think the 05' 900 was the exception. I'm wondering how the 05' long shaft went right into the new Pro Chassis? I have an IQ and Rush round shaft on my work bench. If someone can post up the Pro shaft end to end dimension that would be very useful. The IQ shafts had a SAE bearing with metal seals and the Rush shafts have a cheaper metric bearing with rubber seals. Unless the PRO has an updated part number the metal sealed SAE bearing will not work on metric shaft as the ID of the bearing is different. OD is the same though so the carrier works.



EZ fix once the details are sorted out.

 

[Bocephus]

What a headache just to save a few ounces.

i wont disagree with this...... but i think they are saving a few bucks too. i have NO idea what the cost comparison is, but its just a thought. everything is getting cheaper now days, but the final cost is going up. you may have a prime example of that polaris boys

 

[Flygti32]

Alright!! Boys build date for the sled that had the shaft I posted pics of is 10/01/12. oct 1 2012. So I guess that shoots the whole aug batch as being bad idea out the window.


PS: Our dealer has a call into Polaris asking for some info on what they know so far. Keep you posted

 

[R_8_N]

i wont disagree with this...... but i think they are saving a few bucks too. i have NO idea what the cost comparison is, but its just a thought. everything is getting cheaper now days, but the final cost is going up. you may have a prime example of that polaris boys

Totally a cost thing. Labor to weld the shaft vs labor to squirt some glue on it? welding is a skilled labor... gluing could be done by someone working through labor ready for 1/3 the cost.

 

[teeroy]

Totally a cost thing. Labor to weld the shaft vs labor to squirt some glue on it? welding is a skilled labor... gluing could be done by someone working through labor ready for 1/3 the cost.

I thought I read before that the hydroformed shafts doo and poo used were friction welded. they spin one side at high speed and force them together. no skilled labour required

 

[whoisthatguy]

The suspected Lord's 406 adhesive, stretches 30% prior to failure, similar to chewing gum. Which means that the glue creeps under stress until the steel fence post cap has pryed itself sufficiently out of the end of the aluminum center section, that it can destroy the aluminum surrounding the steel from stess concentrations at the corners.

 

[Old Scud-doo]

Polaris is not openly admitting a problem as of yet. They are trying to figure out what is happening, or going wrong, and have yet to do so. They aren't even sure on a "batch" or "build date" coincidence, from what I was told today.

They did admit to some failures but not "On the record" if you know what I mean. Purchased a fix from Kelsey and will run it until we know more. I sure as heck don't want to be in some hole with a broken drive shaft. That would pi$$ me off to no end.

 

[R_8_N]

I thought I read before that the hydroformed shafts doo and poo used were friction welded. they spin one side at high speed and force them together. no skilled labour required

maybe you're right? Im just guessing on how they are made.

 

[whoisthatguy]

I thought I read before that the hydroformed shafts doo and poo used were friction welded. they spin one side at high speed and force them together. no skilled labour required

You can't spin a 6 sided polygon, inside of a 6 sided polygon.

 

[Dam Dave]

You can't spin a 6 sided polygon, inside of a 6 sided polygon.

If you did it would like like the photos at the start of this thread............

 

[longgold]

Well as long as everyone remains level headed and no one starts freaking out and over reacting...

I'm actually enjoying these threads. They are great entertainment. (Not the individual's problem but rather the internet commentary.) I'll ride mine and if it breaks, I will fix it. Actually my dealer will. i have a great dealer. Otherwise I will ride it and not worry about it. Nothing I can do about it anyway. Lots of things to worry about and stress about in life. This is pretty low on my list. In the meantime I'll continue to get my entertainment from these freak out threads until we finally get some Damn snow!

PV

I hear you on that, however some of us are doing mods that will render our warranties useless...so not knowing is a concern.

Try taking your turbo'd sled in and asking Polaris to fix it

 

[teeroy]

You can't spin a 6 sided polygon, inside of a 6 sided polygon.

read closely....he was saying the new design was possibly created to save money on skilled labour that was used to weld the steel shafts. the previous design was steel hydroformed and I believe welded using the friction method requiring no skilled labour. kapeesh?

 

[Murph]

Can't believe I'm commenting on this thread

Sled build date is probably not the issue but rather the build date of the component in question--driveshaft. If there was a bad run-- the most likely explanation-- hopefully the driveshaft is dated so that those with affected shafts can get them replaced.


My Rant:
How many threads do we have going on this subject? How many comments from non Pro owners, comments from Polaris haters, comments from "experts" who heard from this guy, that that guy had a failure, and that guy heard another guy..... Where does it end?

Reading a post on the Internet is NOT the same as acquiring knowledge in the real world or having FIRST hand experience. Too many people on here with a desire to contribute when all they are doing is rehashing, re posting, or out right
plagiarizing something they read somewhere else. Also seems to be some new to the Polaris side posters who as fanning the flames of the Pro being a POS. I don't drink koolaid from any manufacturer, I just try and report MY findings, measurements, experiences. What are some of these posters trying to gain?--market share? Better resale on their AC, Doo, Yamaha? I don't know.

Forum mob mentality-- let's get em!

Did I read the other post correctly that the guy who sent a certified letter to Polaris didn't even experience a failure himself?

Rant over.

 

[skibreeze]

Murph, he sent a letter because he rides with 2 people that lost shafts and considering that almost nobody here has ridden at all yet, I don't blame him. I'd be worried if I had a '13 as well. Seems like the thing to check now is whether the glue is hard or not.

 

[Murph]

Ok. I can understand that if its riding buddies that have failures versus simply reading on the Internet. Seeing and experiencing a failure first hand is different--even if you don't own the sled in question-- then reading on the Internet.

But, it seems like we have been reading posts from people who don't even own Pros or ride with people who own Pros. That's what I'm getting tired of. I rode with a 13 that got 40 miles on its clock and we weren't particularly nice or careful with it and it seems fine-- and no, I'm not implying 40 miles is a "victory".

 

[scott t]

So now you have to put old parts in a new sled to be able to use it or put some aftermarket kit on the driveshaft just to get it to work. I can see why some people are freaking out. Hopefully Polaris recognizes this issue, if its an issue and fixes problem. I do not have a 13 but if i did i would be concerned also.(But wouldnt keep me from riding it). The thought of putting money into a brand new sled just so you can use it or adding parts from a 2005 or whatever seems off the wall to me. Just my opinion, and everyone know's that doesnt matter, just ask my wife! LOL. Hope in pans out for everyone. Good luck.

 

[duck899]

Ok. I can understand that if its riding buddies that have failures versus simply reading on the Internet. Seeing and experiencing a failure first hand is different--even if you don't own the sled in question-- then reading on the Internet.

But, it seems like we have been reading posts from people who don't even own Pros or ride with people who own Pros. That's what I'm getting tired of. I rode with a 13 that got 40 miles on its clock and we weren't particularly nice or careful with it and it seems fine-- and no, I'm not implying 40 miles is a "victory".

If my friggen weekend is ruined because my buddy who rides a 2013 pro rode with me in my truck for a weekend to the mountains and I had to spend hours pullin and diggin....friiggin rights I care!!!!!!!

DOO OWNER!!!! and concerned sled rider.

 

[pura vida]

I hear you on that, however some of us are doing mods that will render our warranties useless...so not knowing is a concern.

Try taking your turbo'd sled in and asking Polaris to fix it

seriously, not to be a dick in anyway, but that is the risk taken when adding mods that will knowingly void your warranty. i do the same thing on almost every sled i own and understand my risks. now with that said, if i was in your shoes and was in the process of installing a turbo i would be more concerned. and i would do two things; first i would check how hard the glue is coming out of the fill holes on your drive shaft. if it is soft, or flakes i would show your dealer and NOT ride it until taken care of. second, assuming the glue is hard i would still consider spending the money to replace the drive shaft with one from years past. or if possible, i'd probably try to hold off on the turbo install until i had ridden the thing for a few miles. the failures seem to be early on but that doesn't mean more can't or won't show up down the road. then if it fails, warranty. although you would still be stuck dragging the damn thing back to the truck...

pv

 

[on the fence]

In 08 rode a XP and there was issues with drive shafts and doo fixed it mine never got in until 1st week in jan but I rode it and took the chance?? I think alot of people are not giving Polaris any time to respond to the issue first they need to come up with a fix then get it out to hundreds of sleds, guys it is only the middle of November time and some patients and I know we don't have any with a $12000 sled but it will get fixed!!

Wait till the doo guys get ahold of this pay back is a bitch huh now I have to hear it all over again.

 

[jsandgren10]

All these posts remind me of the "08 Skidoo Epidemic"

Crazy how fast people are to say this or that is a POS, no one really knows the numbers of how many 13's have been sold, how many of those 13's have seen snow with 0 problems, and a handful of people that had the shaft break or heard that their buddy's buddy's sled broke. Then we have all these people crying about warranty issues on it if they choose to put a "fix" on it, or having to get pulled out in the event that it did break.

In the end the "issue" will get figured out and taken care of and everyone that bought 2013's that is the risk you take buying a first year sled. This is the first manufactured sled running the belt drive setup, and a lot of people ran the demo's last year with no issues, so its not a matter of if it can be fixed but rather a when. I bought a 2011 and have had to change motor mounts on my own dollar since my warranty was up but that is just part of owning a first year sled and a high performance machine. These sleds still amaze me at how well they perform, especially if you have to try to walk up the mountain you just climbed.

IMO just ride the sled, worst case you are out a day of riding and have to be towed back, best case you enjoy the day and run the crap out of it. Or you can leave it parked in the garage until Polaris gets the fix under control, give them a little time they know how much work it was to get out from under that 900 eyesore and aren't going to leave you high and dry. Or last thing is you can change it out and fix it if you are that worried.