F.Y.I. 2013 Pro 600 & 800 Extruded Drive Shaft Re-Enforcement Kit

[RKT]

RK Tek will be offering a "kit" to re-enforce the extruded drive shaft present on the 2013 PRO 600 & 800's.

We have designed and build a simple 10-15 minute "bolt on" item that will re-enforce and help reduce the potential for failure in this area.

Please see the link (below) in the Swap Meet Section

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3189817#post3189817

 

[RKT]

Production should be done this afternoon.. So, we can begin shipping..

We are moving as fast as we can..

Since we did not have the time to do the production ourselves, we contracted the parts out to another machine shop..

 

[volcano buster]

Is this issue going to be addressed by Polaris for warranty work, or just let the aftermarket come up with fixes?

 

[AndrettiDog]

I applaud Kelsey for coming up with a product for the "potential" drive shaft issue (let's face it, 90% of these sleds haven't been on the snow yet). I have some interest my self. I also get that he doesn't want someone duplicating his effort. That's what the patent shop is for (patent pending). But you have to throw a dog a bone. I won't spend $85 until I know what we are dealing with. I'd like to see pics and how it is installed. Otherwise the customer expectations won't coincide with the seller's.

 

[Matte Murder]

If you put this on will it give Polaris an excuse to not give you warranty? I was just going to order my Carls Clutch kit but I am sure that would put me out in the cold with warranty. Skid, same thing. I am dead in the water on mods until I can ride my sled and see if the drive shaft falls out. Still not sure it this is a 10% sleds effected or 100% or something in between. If not for warranty I would risk $85.

 

[rmscustom]

If you put this on will it give Polaris an excuse to not give you warranty? I was just going to order my Carls Clutch kit but I am sure that would put me out in the cold with warranty. Skid, same thing. I am dead in the water on mods until I can ride my sled and see if the drive shaft falls out. Still not sure it this is a 10% sleds effected or 100% or something in between. If not for warranty I would risk $85.

Is polaris really this picky with warranty? My dealer told me as long as I didnt mod the motor (head, bigbore, turbo, etc.) they would cover anything else I did.

If the driveshaft is recalled it wont matter what you have on it, If they are just gonna cover the ones that break it could be an issue.

 

[Snodawg]

What effect on the balance of the shaft do you think this will have?

 

[doobie]

My dealer bought a bunch of them on his own dime, and will be stocking kelseys fix kit (drive shaft). The no warranty thing is bs, your dealer is a joke if they deny warranty for minor mods or a drivshaft fix. If ya dont like it dont buy it. Thx for the pistons kelsey. Was in golden today and the pro rocked man.

 

[whitemeat]

doobie where at golden did you ride, sorry to hijack the thread

 

[summ8rmk]

I think the socket bolt analogy will help a lot of people understand what's going on. I would just like to add one thing.
The aluminum shaft is like the cheap Taiwan socket set u got when u were a kid. The snowmobile is like big Ingersoll Rand impact gun.
Sure u can put that socket on ur gun. It will take off some bolts/nuts. But it will not last! If u put a hoseclamp around the end of the socket it will last a lot longer.
The right thing to do is buy impact sockets for use with ur gun!

Polaris needs to step up and use the correct material for the job.
How much weight did they save over the perfectly fine steel shaft?

 

[rp2000r]

Iam also curious on the weight between the alum/steel shafts..
Anybody have any weights?

 

[ottawaair]

I think the socket bolt analogy will help a lot of people understand what's going on. I would just like to add one thing.
The aluminum shaft is like the cheap Taiwan socket set u got when u were a kid. The snowmobile is like big Ingersoll Rand impact gun.
Sure u can put that socket on ur gun. It will take off some bolts/nuts. But it will not last! If u put a hoseclamp around the end of the socket it will last a lot longer.
The right thing to do is buy impact sockets for use with ur gun!

Polaris needs to step up and use the correct material for the job.
How much weight did they save over the perfectly fine steel shaft?

This is the best analogy yet. saving weight is one thing, but, saving weight at the cost of durability, longevity, safety, and reputation is not worth it. Put in the shaft that has been working good for years.
What if the aftermarket made a 1 piece solid aluminum shaft. Like the older yamaha hex driveshaft, but aluminum. Thin wall tubing just aint gonna hold up.

 

[RKT]

Iam also curious on the weight between the alum/steel shafts..
Anybody have any weights?

I was told that the weight difference is about 18 OZ..
So, not very much at all

There have been more failures over the weekend.. I was informed, directly by the owners, of more than 8 different failures.. ALL different models and different build dates.. Just sayin'

 

[rp2000r]

RKT, Thanks for the info!, Hopefully Polaris figures it out asap.

 

[knifedge]

--NM mentioned that driveshaft failure was becoming a common occurance where he was at.

--The RKT clamp should very likely keep the end cap from spinning out. No way for it to spin if the clamp is installed, glue or no glue.

 

[adam5187]

I ordered one of these re-enforcement kits because I dont want my sled sitting at the dealership for a month waiting on a backorded shaft. If the little bit of money I spent on this can save me waisting the 12 hours we drive to ride the mountains, well I will chance the fix.

 

[Potatoes]

I'd like to see Polaris warranty fix this problem before more failures when the snow really flies. Yamaha had a crank problem in 1998 on the SRX and they pulled the cranks out, welded them and solved the problem before it got too out of hand. It is possible for a manufacturer to avoid further problems if they want to.

 

[mountainhorse]

NOTE:

I cleaned up this thread as it was getting off track and deleted some posts.

This is a simple "FYI" thread... Lets keep it that way... help me out please.

 

[UP2NOGD88]

RKT Re-Enforcement Kit

I also have ordered the kit from RKT. In my mind, it is a cheap piece of mind until Polaris can come out with a real fix. I agree with adams5187, if it keeps me on the snow vs. wrecking a trip or sitting at the dealership, I will take the chance on the fix.

 

[Powder Buster]

ttt