My Track Keeps Sucking Up My Snow Flap on 09 M8 - HELP

[Frostbite]

Several times today I heard a sound coming from my track and I knew what it was. It was my dang snow flap sucking into my track once again. I'm getting tired of this!

My first attempt at a fix was to cut the lower portion of the rear flap off at the lower perforation in the snow flap. That lasted for a while but, now it's sucking the flap again.

I suspect it's from using reverse and backing my sled down the ramp from the back of my truck but, I'm not sure.

We had to do a back woods repair and it seems to be working fairly well. I punched a couple holes in the snow flap with a knife and zip tied it in place and it's still in the same positon now.

Are you guys having similar problems?

 

[Dam Dave]

I haul mine in the back of my, have for many many years and mine has never done that, I had a 09 with the flap cut off and my 2010 is cut too, mine sticks straight out most of the time, I don't use reverse much

 

[Woody67]

the snowflap is a real pain sometimes. I have not had any issues with it sucking up in the track but it is always in the way when trying to get unstuck. Cutting them shorter is not a good option either as they become much more prone to cracking apart so we have been leaving them full length.

 

[frock]

Get a couple feet of one inch wide nylon strap, doesn't need to be very thick. Run it over your rear bumper then both ends down to the bottom of the flap. Pull the flap back and up till you are happy with the clearance from the track then mark the strap. Use a nail and heat it up to push the hole into the straps, this prevents the nylon from fraying. Mark the hole for the flap and drill out. Use a wide flange rivet with a wide washer on the backside then rivet the strap to the flap. Works very well.

Later;
Shane

 

[Frostbite]

Thanl you Frock.

Great Idea.

I doubt Cat would warranty the snow flap any more than they would when I asked them to warranty my hood when it cracked from opening it.

 

[ripsass]

the snowflap is a real pain sometimes. I have not had any issues with it sucking up in the track but it is always in the way when trying to get unstuck. Cutting them shorter is not a good option either as they become much more prone to cracking apart so we have been leaving them full length.

I've had mine cut at the first perforation below the Cat logo since day 1. I ride mountians, -10 below weather, and all other kinds of brutal conditions and have had no issues with cracking or damage.

I've also never had an issue with getting it sucked into the track.

 

[elvis1280]

frock is right. you can do it w/ nylon or i used aluminum from the underside for looks sake. two 1/2 in wide and 3" long on both sides, underside and lift it up to your liking. one rivet on the bent flange and two rivets on flap, krylon camo flat black, on entire flap over white letters and all. sticks like you wouldn't belive. the only rattle can paint that works on plastic.

 

[vdog0531]

643 miles on my 09 m1k and not ONCE as my flap even come close to getting caught by my track

 

[summ8rmk]

1,000 miles on my 09 and no flap in track problems

 

[Frostbite]

I'll have to post a picture a little later. I have to assume that the problem comes from backing off the semi steep ramp everytime I ride. If I loaded and unloaded out the front each time I probably wouldn't seem a problem.

My biggest issue is the rear flap isn't just the flap. It looks like the entire rear plastic assembly is one piece including the tail light housing. I haven't studied it too much but that could get expensive to replace. Mine already has a cut in it where the track wore away some of the flap. Yup, I need to post pictures.

 

[ndC7M8]

if you plan on using your reverse and you're standing on your sled, your gonna suck your flap up in the sled. i do it all the time. its just a snowflap, so big friggin deal. replace it with a shorter, harder material so it wont do it, or just take it off. your riding buddies wont like you much if you take it off tho haha

 

[Frostbite]

Yes, I have had mine cut off since day one as well and I do use it in the mountains and yes it does get sucked into the track every time.

I wish it was just a snowflap but, it looks like Cat built the sled around the dang flap incorporating a bunch of stuff into one. Great for weight savings, great for manufacturing but, not so hot when one part of a multipiece unit is fubar.

 

[Coxy]

Mine cracked along the fold, and broke off since 400 miles, so i guess i dont have to worry about it? Come to think about it, 4 or 5 other 09 cats have had the flap break off, and thats with never having it get sucked up into the track, just from it sticking strait out like a hard on and finally cracking off. I've gone without so far, but the claw tosses stuff everywhere so im going to try and mod up a older style flap or something.

 

[tcpeterson]

I cut my flap at the lowest perforation and have had 1300 problem free miles with it. Don't back off the trailer much (Just once in a while) but have never had it suck up under the sled.

 

[ndC7M8]

those pclaws throw chunks of sh-t like crazy with the full length snowflap. they really should be wider, rather than longer.

 

[Frostbite]

Coxy, thank you for the below info.

"Mine cracked along the fold, and broke off since 400 miles, so I guess i dont have to worry about it? Come to think about it, 4 or 5 other 09 cats have had the flap break off"


I was wondering why I was the only one with this issue.

It sounds to me like the flap needs to be made of some kind of "flexible" rubber instead of hard plastic.

 

[Braaap12]

Cut mine completly off, got Mad at the darn thing getting in the way when I was stuck to I hacked it off. I love it and no cooling issues

 

[wastedeep]

take it off
i have run my 07 m8 without one from the time that i uncrated it
never have had an issues with it

 

[Coxy]

I dont condone no flap, which is why i am looking for options for mine, but im not putting another stock one on. A guy we ride with has what appears to be a king cat style flap on his, so thats the route im going to try. No, no cooling issues without it, but i dont like being "that guy" on the trail if its a busy day throwing snow boulders everywhere. Besides, it ices up the bumper and back of the sled worse without it.

 

[davidhahn15]

Frostbite, i have the exact same problem you do. flap got sucked in so i trimmed it, worked a bit now it gets sucked in again. Now its all cracked up. Ill be tying it to the bumper or taking it completely off.