camso frame cracking

[eric82930]

I don't want this to start another brand bashing fiasco like the mototrax threads but thought this might be helpful to see. I can't figure out why but the frame cracked right behind the jack shaft. No signs of impact on the lower front edges. And surprise surprise the side frames are aluminum! I have no idea why it seems so heavy. There are very few pictures of the naked camso out there so I will post some here.

I also know of one other camso that blew a bearing. I have lots of time on TS, Camso, Mototrax, And decades of crappy sled designs. They all break, They all need mandatory performance and reliability updates that I feel the end user should take the responsibility to research what needs to be done to move this cutting edge sport forward. The manufacturers need to make a profit before they need to build a perfect machine.

The chain adjuster block is aluminum and has one bolt to tilt and one bolt to slide forward and back. The steel backbone looks like it would be lighter than ts even though it goes all the way to the rear bumber. The plastic cover ends too soon which allows too much snow to shoot between the grab handle and the cover.

They seem to work better than you would think by looking at it. I am not a fan of the longer track unless absolutely necessary so I would probably hope for a 120 version some day.

 

[eric82930]

Pics

 

[eric82930]

Zoom

 

[PalousePoo]

It's not bashing to report on failures. Camso has recieved lots of good reports, especially for it's first year of production. Props to them!! Lots of people want to hear the truth about these kits and how customers are treated when there is an issue. It's good you brought this up.

 

[Kaarlonen]

From the picture it seems that the fracture surface is smooth?
If the crack is smooth it is usually sign of fatigue.
Could be faulty material in that particular bend area or could be bad tooling during bending that caused initial micro cracks in the bend.
Tool forming on the high stress edge of a aluminium plate is usually bad idea.

 

[M5-]

I'm pretty sure Camso knows about this issue and they are working on a fix. It may even be done already, certainly for the 2018. My buddies have cracked a few I'm not sure if it was in the same place but Camso fixed them up with new pieces. I'd contact them. My understanding is that all updated parts will fit the 2017 kits. Eventually they will see this thread because I know they follow this site.

M5

 

[ravenous]

I cracked mine at around 70hrs. Had replacement parts in 4 days. Camso is aware of the problem and has fixed it for 2018. They are a really easy company to deal with.

 

[hollywood506]

Who has everyone been dealing with at camso? or do you just go through dealer?

also would anyone know if the driveshaft bearings are warranty? i blew the chainside one, limped it home. Ordered the bearings from motion canada, 20 bucks for 2 couldn't complain. just replaced both sides.

all in all really impressed with this kit. im having a ball on it here in whistler, and its still dumping snow! my poor new sled hasnt seen much use lately, too many stormy grey days where the bike and tree riding go together like PB&J

 

[Tahoe54]

Who has everyone been dealing with at camso? or do you just go through dealer?

also would anyone know if the driveshaft bearings are warranty? i blew the chainside one, limped it home. Ordered the bearings from motion canada, 20 bucks for 2 couldn't complain. just replaced both sides.

all in all really impressed with this kit. im having a ball on it here in whistler, and its still dumping snow! my poor new sled hasnt seen much use lately, too many stormy grey days where the bike and tree riding go together like PB&J

Do you know how many miles you had before it failed? Seems like a component that should last quite a while anyway.

 

[hollywood506]

Do you know how many miles you had before it failed? Seems like a component that should last quite a while anyway.

bought it second hand off a dealer here, was their demo. but not sure how diligent he was on the maintenance as he neglected to even inform me on using gear oil in the little yellow cap when i bought it.

i had 4 days on it. roughly 10 of my hours on it when it cooked. he owned it a couple months.

either way cheap easy fix. no stress. i'll happily replace bearings once a year to ensure i keep riding it, its a low cost upkeep

 

[hollywood506]

Do you know how many miles you had before it failed? Seems like a component that should last quite a while anyway.

and i should be clear and honest that although i love to wrench and maintain stuff i am extremely hard on equipment. i'll ride the piss out of it, jump it off anything into the deep stuff i dont care im trying to push it not just ride around. when you ride like i do stuff is bound to break. im just trying to sort out what is warranty and what is my fault

 

[Yrocmoto]

So this is actually my kit that Eric posted.

I've been working with the dealer I got it from for warranty, and yes Camso is sending out the updated part.

At first I contacted Camso directly, but they won't talk to you and tell you to contact the dealer.

Another annoying thing I learned is that you have to buy FULL $400 fit kits if you need anything. I only needed a 2mm smaller bushing for the top of the strut rod (didn't need the rod or swingarm bushings) and they will only sell you an entire fit kit, which is super lame. I ending up shaving down the one I had...

Also, the strut rod is adjustable, so I don't think you'd ever really need another one of those anyway. It has an adjustment range of about 4-5", so a pretty good range...

 

[NEWDUCK]

I see you have the ts ski. What didnt you like about the camso ski?

 

[Yrocmoto]

I see you have the ts ski. What didnt you like about the camso ski?

Never even tried it, everyone in my group hated it on the trail and in steep terrain, so I just kept my TS on for now.

 

[cisco]

is there something else to verified on those camso kit ?
i found a demo kit for 3,495 $ canadien at 20 minute from me .
i will put this on my new 2017 ktm 500

 

[Yrocmoto]

is there something else to verified on those camso kit ?
i found a demo kit for 3,495 $ canadien at 20 minute from me .
i will put this on my new 2017 ktm 500

not really. They have a 2 year warranty, go get it, go over everything and then have lots of fun.... You do have to buy an entire fit kit through a dealer, which is the only thing I think sucks.