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

[Steve D]

I cut mine off at the bottom "cut here" mark too. Hasn't been a problem for me yet this winter, and I always back off my ramp. Mind you, it's not a terribly steep ramp.

I suspect the problem with the '09's when using a flap that isn't a harder compound like stock, is that the tunnel itself is a tad shorter than most. Unless someone who has tried it can tell me otherwise, I'd see a soft flap stuck in the tunnel all the time.

On that note, I found last year before I cut my flap, when it did get sucked in (which only happened after backing up into snow or something goofy), I would bend it back up right and it would stay. Try leaving your flap pulled or propped up overnight so that sort of forms upward. The flap should look like a cape in the wind - straight back!

 

[Rucky]

I cut mine off at the bottom "cut here" mark too. Hasn't been a problem for me yet this winter, and I always back off my ramp. Mind you, it's not a terribly steep ramp.

I suspect the problem with the '09's when using a flap that isn't a harder compound like stock, is that the tunnel itself is a tad shorter than most. Unless someone who has tried it can tell me otherwise, I'd see a soft flap stuck in the tunnel all the time.

On that note, I found last year before I cut my flap, when it did get sucked in (which only happened after backing up into snow or something goofy), I would bend it back up right and it would stay. Try leaving your flap pulled or propped up overnight so that sort of forms upward. The flap should look like a cape in the wind - straight back!

What he said! Mine has got sucked in a couple times, and I periodically hear a short buzz when hitting bumps on the trail. I even bent mine up by hand and it's stayed good ever since. Not as big of an issue as this thread makes it seem . No offense intended.

 

[Dam Dave]

I dont ride mine down the ramp, I put it in reverse and just give the throttle a few blips and let it go down the ramp by it self

 

[Coxy]

I cut mine shorter from day one, and i never use reverse for unloading due to falling from hights haha. Even without getting sucked in, it still cracked along the flex line, and eventually fell off. A strait up soft one would be on the track for sure, you'd have to use one thats either a rigid rubber, or just a bit of a thicker, softer plastic. I kind of assume it is from wheelying, and the fact it stays stuck out all ride due to the snow stuck between the tunnel, and that lip that keeps it from flexing inward. Its not a BIG deal no, but seeing as theres a handful of 09 M's locally with the flaps broke off, its something that has to get delt with.

 

[Frostbite]

Here are a couple pictures of what I am talking about. The flap must have been stuck in there while I was climbing because it actually wore a spot on the bottom right side of the flap.

The first picture is of the damage and the back woods repair I did with a pocket knife and a zip tie.

The second picture is showing that the snow flap is part of a much larger assembly, including the tail light assembly.

I understand it may not be a big deal to many of you but, like my small hood crack in the hood that Cat won't stand behind, it's just another small thing and they are beginning to add up.

 

[av8er]

Drill a hole in the middle and use some bailing wire

Take 1 min and costs 10 cents

 

[YooperScott]

I've only had mine suck in once while be lazy and trying to get turned around using reverse in moderately deep snow but over someones track without getting off the sled. Pulled it out and fine since.

Why bother use a ramp to unload off the trailer? These things have fancy suspension just put it in reverse and stand next to it with a few blips of the throttle and off she goes.

 

[sledfreak89]

We have 1/16", 1/4" and 3/8" Rubber snow flaps. They work very well for powder riding.

www.greatlakesmudflaps.com

-Matt

 

[BigRed118]

Mine is an 07' but I did the VE tunnel on the rear. I purchased the snowflap from the Ac sno-x sled. It is very long so I was able to cut it to the length that I wanted. It also comes up and over the tunnel for more strength. I cut that part off and doubled that up against the alum to give the flap a little more strength. It also has holes already drilled for the nylon webbing if you choose to use it. On another note, if you ride your sled backwards down a truck deck you will suck the flap in. Doesn't matter what brand sled it is.

 

[MUZBOMB]

I had the same problem mine got all chewed up too, so i cut it at the next part just under the Arctic Cat letters and haven't had a problem since to short to get sucked in now. I was thinking i would just get a new mud flap when it got sucked in but HAHA that is all attached together tail light mudflap..... so hell just cut it just in the next line below the Arctic Cat and it is good to go.

 

[sledneck_4]

mine was great last year, this year first ride it was sucking up so i trimmed it to the first position ans then it would rub a little so i looked at the thing more closly and it had cracked in the middle so i ripped it off. not much snow this year and still no cooling issue. like the roost out back,keeps tail gaters away. plus i like the free ride sled look it gave it

 

[CatAtomic]

At the suggestion of the local dealer service department I also trimmed my 09 M8 flaps up to the "first position", and after one trip out on the trail with a newbie rider it was broken apart badly. She never even went off the groomed trail, never used reverse. Seems like a terrible design issue.

I have 2 identical M8's and the other flap is fine still, but only 1 trip so far.

The service tech said the chunks of snow thrown by the fingers on the track are coming from the ground level of the track, so the flaps will not stop those anyway. That is why the newer ones have shorter flaps.

Does anyone know of any aftermarket flaps that will fit on M8's with the wrap around the tail light design?

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks for bringing this up again!

It looks like we are going to have to find some kind of decent looking aftermarket flap that we can somehow attach over the the remnants of the existing snow flap.

Also, I sent pictures of the damage to my dealer and asked them to please see if Arctic Cat would warranty the cracked flap. I was told it is not warrantable (kind of like my hood that cracked from merely opening). I'm 0 for 2 now on trying to get Cat to address warranty items. Based on Cat's responses, I'm feeling like a real idiot now for opting for the two year warranty.

This is my first Cat but, in the past with brand Y and even brand S, if they wouldn't warranty an item in its entirety, at least they showed some concern and oftentimes would "good will" the parts and I'd pay the labor (or do it myself). That's just not the case with Cat, I feel like I have a giant Heisman mark on my forehead from them telling me repeatedly to pound sand.

So, is there a good looking after market snow flap those of us with this issue can graft onto what remains of the 09 stock snow flap?

 

[SLEDIOT]

Trim the last row of the flap off with a exacto and wd40.or heat the blade with a lighter. It will trim like butter. Good luck.

 

[Frostbite]

If you look at the pictures above, I did that day 1.

Before I ever even rode my sled, I trimmed the bottom portion off my flap and amazingly I'm still having issues.

I think my black zip tie may have remedied my issues? Maybe......

 

[snu1910]

i took a cat diesel mud flap and cut it down to almost the same size a my stock one. seem to be working great.

 

[pino]

Snow Flap

If you look at the back of your sled were the snow flap is riveted you will see there is a leading edge lip of aluminum 1/4'' if you bend it back down wards it will push your flap outwards.
When it sticks strait out it's ice building up.

 

[Vertical-Extreme]

I cut mine off right below the "arctic cat" and it catches a ton of snow and never gets in the way. I think it looks fine too.
I will look for a pic

 

[greatnorth]

Install 1/8" thick by 15" by 15/16" plate just below 5 black rivets and the reinforcing edge of underside of flap. I used aluminum and it works great.What it does is change the angle the flap sits at rest and resticts downward movement which is what allows flap to rotate under track.It also stiffens up the tunnel below the existing rivets. I used 5 additional rivets to install.You drill through plate and tunnel aluminum.Tested for several rides using reverse in waist deep snow. The flap is still original length. The new plate will fit tight in the crevice between angle tunnel aluminum and the flap.

 

[Frostbite]

Great ideas guys.

I'd sure love to see some pictures...................I'm a visual learner.