How many have sheared motor mount bolts?

[PooSlinger]

Just trying to gauge how widespread this problem is. Buddy sheared one on his Pro on the first ride. Probably at the cost of me having a regular riding bud along this weekend.

How many of you guys have had this happen? I know there have been a few unfortunately.

 

[aebsledder]

I did. And to clarify, it was SHEARED not backed out. It ended up bouncing around in my clutches and wrecked them both. I only had 70 miles on the sled when it happened. I also had some bad injectors as well. Now it seems to be doing fine. I am going to ride the hell out of it this year and try to work out all the kinks.

 

[actionfigurejoe]

I bet Dale is hot.

 

[F-Bomb]

aebsledder. Ive been meaning to ask you about yours when you say sheared. Was the broken off threaded section still in the threaded assembly when it was repaired? I've seen pictures from a couple and the bolts and they do look sheared but if you see how they assemble there should be a broken off threaded piece still in place that would have to be tapped for removal. I wonder if the shearing appearance of the bolt is when it gets hammered by the clutching. Really like to know because simply replacing the bolt may not be the answer if it's a shearing issue. Ive studied MH's theory but based on my experience wonder if they are simply coming out of the housing. If we can determine on the few that have done this if the bolts just come out then that is an easy fix and all is well. If it's a torquing and stress situation then that is an entirely different level of trouble that has to be sorted out.

Not only is this a PIA to deal with it could be flat out dangerous. Mine was completely missing and there is only one place for it to have gone. 45 caliber RIGHT PAST MY FOOT/LEG as it exits the clutch compartment! At the appearance of the clutches that were torn apart and the sound that it all made at speed that could have been serious. Back in the day we used to throw clutch parts through sleds and find shrapnel hundreds of feet from it! Sometimes in the grand stands! It's the reason we had to run super heavy and expensive clutch cover assemblies for racing and even then stuff can sneak out.

 

[aebsledder]

Good Point. I measured the bolt and it was shorter than the factory spec per mountainhorse, but maybe you are correct, it just got beat to hell from banging around in the clutches. I just sent a message to the dealership who fixed it, I am friends with the owners and the guy who worked on it. (Who is one of the owners) I will update when I find out. I know what you mean about the .45! All it would take is the right set of circumstances and it seems Polaris would have a hefty lawsuit on their hands. Like I said, I am going to ride the hell out of it (570 miles and counting) and see what happens. This sled is so much fun to ride, I just hope it keeps going.
LIVE UPDATE: While I was typing this the mechanic texted me back and he did indeed have to extract the bolt out of the sled. (the remainder of it). Which obviously indicates a shear scenario. Yikes.

 

[GMCRMK]

Not only is this a PIA to deal with it could be flat out dangerous. Mine was completely missing and there is only one place for it to have gone. 45 caliber RIGHT PAST MY FOOT/LEG as it exits the clutch compartment! At the appearance of the clutches that were torn apart and the sound that it all made at speed that could have been serious. Back in the day we used to throw clutch parts through sleds and find shrapnel hundreds of feet from it! Sometimes in the grand stands! It's the reason we had to run super heavy and expensive clutch cover assemblies for racing and even then stuff can sneak out.

It's even sketchier with all the hole cutting and venting going on these. Seems like it's been a pretty isolated problem so far though?

 

[PooSlinger]

On this particular sled, it was definitely sheared off as well. The tip of the bolt remains down in the bulkhead. Not sure how far up it was sheared off as I haven't seen it.

 

[aebsledder]

Picture

Here is a picture of the culprit.

 

[coyoteman]

Mine is sheared also. Never caused any other damage luckily. Problem is the sled is in the trailer on the hill and we Didnt figure out where the piece came from till we got back home.

 

[khk]

I sheared both of the bolts on the right side it looked like the right rear sheared off first and then that caused the front to eventually go. The dealership replaced all bolts and made sure they were torqued to the proper specs.

 

[tinkerjohnson]

broken bolts

i had the right rear bolt break as well it was broke right where the threads screw in the mount flush and the bolt was all the way in it was not backed out but there was somthing wrong with the threads in the mount itself had to retap it from the back side of the mount, the bolt would only go in to a point and then lock up so i ran a tap threw the other side and then the bolt would tighten the rest of the way in. i pulled the rest of the bolts and cheked them and they were all fine no problem since