Blown drive shaft bearing during hill climb

[rmk2112]

This is what it sounds and looks like when you blow a drive shaft bearing during hill climb.
Sled is still on the hill @ 6500' and 25 miles into the back country. Going back next weekend to get it.
Epic day though, Blue Bird skies, fresh dry powder & good riding friends.
More video of the day to follow

 

[Vincenthdfan]

Holy crap! Talk about catching you off guard huh?

I've been kicking around the idea of getting a 700 Dragon myself lately...I dont recall them having driveshaft issues?

Just an isolated incident maybe?

That sucks that you had to leave your sled in the back country...are you going to attempt a repair where it sits or pull it back out?

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

lmao..that was funny(I feel for you though)..sorry..i change my driveshaft bearing before every season just because so much snow and water get pushed by the seal....cheap insurance..glad you wernt hurt..did it hurt the chaincase or track? hopefully you can just pop a new one in and get it out...

 

[rmk2112]

Holy crap! Talk about catching you off guard huh?

I've been kicking around the idea of getting a 700 Dragon myself lately...I dont recall them having driveshaft issues?

Just an isolated incident maybe?

That sucks that you had to leave your sled in the back country...are you going to attempt a repair where it sits or pull it back out?

I don't think the bearing has any issues other than age....sled had 3600+ miles on it.
Guess its time to upgrade to anti ratchet drivers too.

We're going to use a snatch block on a tree about 200' above where it sits at the bottom of the hill and have 2 sled drive down the hill while it tows me up. The track still turns, the bearing is so toast that it only ratchets when you give it any power.
We're then going to put the track in to a cargo sled and binder it down, then secure my front bumper to my buddies rear bumper and tow it out that way.

If that doesn't work, it's helicopter time.

lmao..that was funny(I feel for you though)..sorry..i change my driveshaft bearing before every season just because so much snow and water get pushed by the seal....cheap insurance..glad you wernt hurt..did it hurt the chaincase or track? hopefully you can just pop a new one in and get it out...

Track is fine, don't know about the chain case. That's why I want to tow it out on the cargo sled
The PTO side bearing is the side that gave out

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I don't think the bearing has any issues other than age....sled had 3600+ miles on it.
Guess its time to upgrade to anti ratchet drivers too.

We're going to use a snatch block on a tree about 200' above where it sits at the bottom of the hill and have 2 sled drive down the hill while it tows me up. The track still turns, the bearing is so toast that it only ratchets when you give it any power.
We're then going to put the track in to a cargo sled and binder it down, then secure my front bumper to my buddies rear bumper and tow it out that way.

If that doesn't work, it's helicopter time.



Track is fine, don't know about the chain case. That's why I want to tow it out on the cargo sled
The PTO side bearing is the side that gave out

did it leave any oil on the ground on the chaincase side? if not..take a bearing in and change it...20 minute job tops..and ride it out...all you need to do is loosen the track..unbolt the bearing retainer, and then drive the old bearing off..tap the new one on and reassemble...had a buddy with a cat years ago..he lost at least 1 a season..I just carried spares so I could change it real quick...no biggy...worse case..take all the other gear to..if you cant fix it..then tow it...

 

[Tmann]

Glad you werent hurt...hope it comes out ok

 

[06 RMK 900]

I would say take a bearing in also and just change it in the field. I beleave all you would need a socket to open the chain case, snap ring pliers, pliers to remove cotter pin if I remember correct. If you need to order bearings go to Dennis kick they have those cheap. Don't forget to take chain case oil.

 

[06 RMK 900]

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/produ...d=&productId=p273228&leafCatId=&mmyId=7400070

 

[rmk2112]

I was ratcheting during the day and we thought my track was just loose, could the all day riding followed by this major failure damaged the bearing housing as well?
There was no oil on ground, so I'm assuming the crankcase side wasn't damaged.

 

[sledneck434]

that sucks!!!

 

[Vincenthdfan]

Wow...guess I should have read your original post more carefully.

I thought you said your whole driveshaft snapped!

If its just a bearing, I think I'd give it my best shot at doing it in the field too.

I bet if you bring a backpack full of enough tools you could get er up and going again in no time.

Worst case scenario, you come prepared for a tow out anyway and end up doing that if you cant get the bearing swapped out.

One of my other hobbies is Jeeping too...you ought to see some of the field repairs we've had to do to get out of the back country, lol.

 

[rmkboxer]

the bearing is pressed on, not sure if you could get one on. I would think you should beable to ride it a bit. I have lost one and rode mine out on my edge chassis

 

[rmk2112]

the bearing is pressed on, not sure if you could get one on. I would think you should beable to ride it a bit. I have lost one and rode mine out on my edge chassis

Originally Posted by rmk2112
I don't think the bearing has any issues other than age....sled had 3600+ miles on it.
Guess its time to upgrade to anti ratchet drivers too.

We're going to use a snatch block on a tree about 200' above where it sits at the bottom of the hill and have 2 sled drive down the hill while it tows me up. The track still turns, the bearing is so toast that it only ratchets when you give it any power.
We're then going to put the track in to a cargo sled and binder it down, then secure my front bumper to my buddies rear bumper and tow it out that way.

If that doesn't work, it's helicopter time.



Track is fine, don't know about the chain case. That's why I want to tow it out on the cargo sled
The PTO side bearing is the side that gave out

 

[CascadeMK]

It's amazing how quickly a sled stops when the track locks up on a hill climb...I was watching him from just below the roll and it darn near looked like he hit a stump the way he got flexed over the bars.
We'll be goin in after it this weekend. Sounds like a few feet may fall on it over the week. Should be interesting. We'll have to run video so we can later give a tutorial on snatch blocking a sled out of a bowl

 

[blacksnow]

Really sorry to hear about your misfortune. Hopefully it is only a bearing!! wish I was able to help you out on the recovery. Lord knows I owe you.

 

[ericbigbore]

Could it be a broken drive chain? Same thing happened on my 975 at Gallagher. Did you pull the chain case cover? You can fix it on the hill if that's it.

 

[H20SKE]

Sounds like he is in pull mode---

He has not pulled anything down to see what actual damage is---that is what should have happened before you left the sled to see if it is repairable in the field---as many possibilities as there are as to what happened---

have had many things break over the years that were fixable in the field and prevented the pull out scenario--which sucks.

A broken chain is very possible--and if the chaincase is not broken--easy fix and ride er out---you might grab some spare parts and tools and check first--someone has some spare parts or even used parts you could use for this recovery.

Good luck

H20SKE...

 

[rmk2112]

It is definitely the PTO side drive axle bearing, that was field verified.

You can reach up in there and move the drive shaft around in the bearing housing. The problem is...it is a pressed on bearing.

So, we are going in on Sat to tow it out by putting the track onto a cargo sled....I don't want the drive shaft rolling with the track on the way our, possibly causing damage to the chain case side due to the fact that the drive axle will roll in a oblong fashion.

 

[greatone]

This happened to me last year bottom of the second tee of the super bowl in tampico My drive shaft totally locked up went up the next day with lexan put under track used pulley system that electricians use to pull wire over 600 ft of 2 inch rope. made for an interesting day since there's no trees to tie too.

 

[FIRE BALL]

just for kicks Ive got the same sled and the bearing on the speedo side is real easy to change its held in place on the shaft with allen set screws to me it would be far easier to do than a tow. Ive been with people that actually had to replace tracks in the woods. Anyway just thought I would add my 2cents especially if your down in a bad bowl. good luck