M8 Rails "Worn out"?

[TuckerTerra]

Had my 2011 M8 at the dealer having them do a few things, and check it out. They told me my track adjuster bolts were broke and asked if I had noticed which I had not. I had just checked track tension the beginning of the last weekend so it happened recently.

I asked him why it was happening and he said because "Your rails are worn out, there are large gouges/grooves where the axle tightens onto the rails, making it impossible to tighten them enough. The axle is therefore lose, and breaks bolts." He said the only real fix is new rails, and he recommended non arctic-cat ones, but rather to try a different aftermarket set that are stronger, such as ice age.

I came home and read on the forums about these adjusters breaking, and people seem to be just shortening the axle so the axle can be tightened down. How has this worked for folks later down the road? I might try this if people are still having luck with it

Thanks!

 

[thefindian]

i just had the same thing happen to me I just shaved a little off each side of the axle with a grinder and tightened them up i road yesterday it never moved so far.

 

[Phizzer]

Had my 2011 M8 at the dealer having them do a few things, and check it out. They told me my track adjuster bolts were broke and asked if I had noticed which I had not. I had just checked track tension the beginning of the last weekend so it happened recently.

I asked him why it was happening and he said because "Your rails are worn out, there are large gouges/grooves where the axle tightens onto the rails, making it impossible to tighten them enough. The axle is therefore lose, and breaks bolts." He said the only real fix is new rails, and he recommended non arctic-cat ones, but rather to try a different aftermarket set that are stronger, such as ice age.

I came home and read on the forums about these adjusters breaking, and people seem to be just shortening the axle so the axle can be tightened down. How has this worked for folks later down the road? I might try this if people are still having luck with it

Thanks!

Yeah I wouldn't necessarily say you need NEW rails. I'm sure you could pull the axle out and smooth everything out with a dremel or file. As long as the surface is smooth and doesn't have a void for the axle to fall into, you should be fine!

 

[Ralph'sMotorsports]

Shorting the axle will work to tighten rear wheels but puts a slight bow in your rails by pinching them a little more at the rear. Not really a big deal, but if you plan on keeping the sled or riding it a lot it will add wear on other parts and make track alignment tougher to keep accurate. If you are capable of removing the rails yourself I would see if a machine shop can build up the worn out rails- would probably be cheaper then buying new ones.

 

[Phizzer]

Shorting the axle will work to tighten rear wheels but puts a slight bow in your rails by pinching them a little more at the rear. Not really a big deal, but if you plan on keeping the sled or riding it a lot it will add wear on other parts and make track alignment tougher to keep accurate. If you are capable of removing the rails yourself I would see if a machine shop can build up the worn out rails- would probably be cheaper then buying new ones.

I don't think anyone is referring to shortening the axle. We were talking about the slotted guide the axle rides in.

 

[TuckerTerra]

Thanks for the replies. I actually put a giant washer that is larger than the axle behind the other washer so it will tighten down further. I have a buddy who has offered to weld the rail where it is worn and then machine it down. ill probably have that done when I can.