broken drive shaft

[Kraven]

GLUED DRIVESHAFT

It sucks to think whether it's a Polaris, Ski Doo, Arctic Cat, etc. that one would spend $11,000+ on something to find out the manufacturer is cutting a few corners to save weight, money, whatever. I would rather have a few more pounds added along with some more $ to the price tag knowing that it was made with a couple solid pieces that may hold up a bit better. I am no mechanic or engineer and have no college degree. But I think I have common sense and that tells me any type of adhesive involved in torque and high RPM will not hold up.

Up until a month ago I had the same old-school belief that glue belongs on Kindergarten artwork until I stopped at my bud's garage.

Fact:
His NHRA Pro stock running 6.60'S @ OVER 200 mph with a Warren Johnson engine in it has GLUED yokes into the drive-shaft tube (NO WELDS whatsoever) And it even has an official SFI approved tag on the drive-shaft.

Wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself.

Next time you're walking around the pits at an NHRA race, (Route 66 in your area) check it out.

 

[Hawkster]

I totaly agree with you. It should hold up better, howerver there is over 100 responses on this topic of bashing with only one broken part. Trust me Im not saying that Polaris builds a perfect sled. I had an 08 Dragon with major motor issues. My 2012 pro was killer and hoping my 2013 is as good. I guess im thinking positive on this. I just think that there is not much positive input on this forum anymore. Just my thoughts.

Your probably very correct about the negative attitude and part of it is the IQ burn . It seems like the biggest deal around these camp fires is WARRANTY and TRADING OFF after one or two seasons . What does that say ? To me that's pretty darn pathetic that you have to rely on something that basically comes out of your pocket that is claimed factory warranty or you get rid of it giving someone else who knows what percentage of failure . Not saying the other brands don't fail but did or do they have failures for several years over multiple things ?

 

[flying frenchman]

What pisses people off the most is:
1 It's a new sled it shouldn't be broken, it's got all this testing done before it was released.
2 We pay good money for these toys and you can't ride them because of down time.
3 When it screws up on a trip then that's make for an expensive trip cause you aint riding.

 

[jiujitsu]

We had similar problems with many of the drive shafts on our 08 xp's when they came out. The end of the shaft would spin in the hollow drive shaft or it would split at the end where the two pieces were pressed together. I think we towed more than half of our XP's out of the woods with that problem. I think it will be addressed, but hopefully before we get a similar bad taste in our mouth.
My 13 Pro is sitting in the garage waiting to hit the snow and test out that drive shaft.

 

[1Mike900]

There problem is the surface contact with the tube is "TOO SHORT" That shaft spud should contact at least 2" inbound from the end on that large of a tube dia. Even with 3 strengthening ribs at the outer perimeter, it will break free and expand that tube across those flats with the points of the internal hex being that short in lg. Even with a press fit and a good glob of adhesive on both faying surfaces lets see how many 3000 RPM full throttle engagements is it good for? Let alone applying the brakes will try and auger it out in the opposite direction! Now lets see, if they mounted the brake rotor on the opposite end of the drive shaft would that end do the same someday? This is in no way as a pun intended to the new machines you have purchased, but Polaris really does need to look into this matter as it could become a safety issue if it was to break loose during heavy braking applications! Mike

 

[kmo]

I think they want you to lift the rear of he sled so the track is free and run the throttle a bit........

 

[Sunvang]

Thank god i bought a 2013 rmk assault instead of the pro rmk.

 

[MN mud man]

Thank god i bought a 2013 rmk assault instead of the pro rmk.

x 2 brother

 

[rmscustom]

Everybody needs to settle down and relax. Seems that everyone is forgetting that these sleds only need to last till December 21.

 

[capnkirk]

Everybody needs to settle down and relax. Seems that everyone is forgetting that these sleds only need to last till December 21.

lmao!

 

[judger101]

well better get your warranty work done fast then!

 

[Vertical Asshauler]

Did the dealer mention a fix? Different shaft? or replace with same part..

If you are worried, a shaft from a 2005 900 or a 11/12 pro will bolt right in.

 

[Hawkster]

Poo is a lot bigger company then those guys that have been making and using belt drives for years , what do they know . Kind of like any high hp machine be it a performance car or a superbike , brakes are mounted in the lowest possible place for strength and better traction . I'm surprised that it's the driveshaft and not the jackshaft . I'm also waiting to see a posting of a guy pulling it out of the back of the pickup without a ramp .

 

[RMK935VA]

Worst post and thread that I have read yet. I put 40 miles on my 13 Pro several weeks ago. No problems at all. Are all of you guys bored because there is no snow to ride on yet? Go ride the damn things. No endemic problem yet. If they have a lot of failures after a few months of winter, we/they will know they have a problem and correct it. That is why we have a warranty.

 

[likkerpig]

With sled suspensions being as good as they are today what difference would it make if the sled dropped 4ft and landed on the skis/track? I could see there being a lot more impact force of a rider and sled landing after a huge jump on hardpack. Just sayin.

 

[AndrettiDog]

We had similar problems with many of the drive shafts on our 08 xp's when they came out. The end of the shaft would spin in the hollow drive shaft or it would split at the end where the two pieces were pressed together. I think we towed more than half of our XP's out of the woods with that problem. I think it will be addressed, but hopefully before we get a similar bad taste in our mouth.
My 13 Pro is sitting in the garage waiting to hit the snow and test out that drive shaft.

I was going to bring this up. What did Ski-Doo do for their customers with this problem? I remember guys trying to weld their drive shafts as a precaution. Didn't Ski-Doo provide replacement shafts under warranty?

 

[rick5150]

Poo is a lot bigger company then those guys that have been making and using belt drives for years , what do they know . Kind of like any high hp machine be it a performance car or a superbike , brakes are mounted in the lowest possible place for strength and better traction . I'm surprised that it's the driveshaft and not the jackshaft . I'm also waiting to see a posting of a guy pulling it out of the back of the pickup without a ramp .

um yea ya lost me on the pulling the sled out of the truck deal

yanked mine out of a 9" lifed chevy 3 times now came nowhere near to the point where it would bash the plastic and smash into the belt drive...

 

[dmj1]

I would bet putting a High compression stainless rivet in the middle of each flat surface (6 total) close to the edge of the shaft , binding the hollow shaft and end together would make it even stronger... with the glue.. would probably void any warranty though lol!

My wife just got a new 2013 pro... We will see how it stands up lol! she can break anything ..

 

[teeroy]

I was going to bring this up. What did Ski-Doo do for their customers with this problem? I remember guys trying to weld their drive shafts as a precaution. Didn't Ski-Doo provide replacement shafts under warranty?

yeah, I welded mine right away after I saw the pics of where some were failing. they sent everyone new driveshafts for the '08. got mine at xmas the next season....

 

[ak49er]

I'm with TEEROY, let's find a forum fix before the recall, I personally would rather be out riding, than have my sled sitting at the dealership waiting in line for the repair....

Although I am out of this one, still riding my '11 with 2500 miles.