NEED IDEAS FOR IDLER TO KEEP TRACK OFF REAR SUSPENSION FRT ARM WHEN USING 7T DRIVERS

[flying frenchman]

Looking for info on what to use for a top idler and shaft so track doesn't rub on top of front torque arm.

2001 Summits had these. I could make something like this work.
I wanna go to a 7 tooth driver but don't want the track to rub on front torque arm.

 

[mountainhorse]

Wahl Brothers... $47 ... popular with the 7tooth driver crowd.

http://www.wahlracing.com/product.php?productid=19740&cat=319

"Track Carrier"

This Wheel Kit bolts into tunnel in order to eliminate unwanted track slap. Kit mounts between the suspension and track allowing the wheel kit to pick up on the track and deflect it away from the suspension. Be sure that you mount it high enough to keep suspension from bottoming out into it. Kit includes shaft with spacers, two 2 3/4” idlers and fasteners. Kits are available in six lengths. Custom lengths available upon request by contacting our tech support.

 

[flying frenchman]

Thanks. Mountainhorse. This is awesome.

 

[kanedog]

mountainhorse owes me $47

Dear Mountainhorse,
Please send me $47.
I read your post and within 5 minutes I ordered the track carrier wheel kit. I needed it as I wanted to stop my track from rubbing as I am installing 7 tooth drivers.
If you hadn't of suggested the wheel kit, I would not have ordered the wheel kit. Therefore, it is your fault I spent $47 to fix my problem I have been trying to find a solution for.
Thank you for your consideration in the aforementioned legal issue.

 

[geo]

Good way to finish strengthening you tunnel (if your coupling or just an abuser lol.) too.

 

[diamonddave]

Eric, do you know if Ice Age makes these as well? I like their anit-stab kits better than Whal's.

 

[mountainhorse]

When I asked Brock (Ice Age) at the SLC show... he said no.



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[4Z]

This carrier would have to between the front torque arm and the drivers?

 

[mountainhorse]

Lynn,

From another thread.

Just wondering if anybody's checked if these are rubbing.

The only place that shaft could go would be 1 3/8" in front of front of torque arm. It might be close when rails come to top. But how come no one else installs these when doing a 7 tooth driver.

Is there any other spot that it wouldn't hit susp. arms?

FF, I can see where your confusion comes from... but NO WORRIES.

It goes aft of the front suspension arm... The wheels are almost out to the edge of the shaft... maybe 3/4" in from the inside of the tunnel.

Remember that the down tubes of the front swing arm of the rear suspension taper inward towards the rails... and that there is a space between there and the tunnel.

The cross shaft of the Wahl track carrier mounts aft of there and the swing arm does not come into contact with it.

You can see in the photo where Allen Mangum of Timbersled products mounted this "Track Carrier" in his sled...The red arrow points out the button head 316SS screw used to mount the shaft in the tunnel.

ALL 7 tooth driver equipped sleds that have the stock suspension and drive train will rub on the wear bars on the arm...Weather people see it or not...It's there.

.

 

[flying frenchman]

MH. By installing this shaft behind front torque arm like you say will stop track slap. My goal is to stop the rubbing on front torque arm. With the 7 tooth drivers being smaller it will pull the track down even harder on the front arm tabs. By installing the track carrier kit behind will help but won't solve the this problem. Efficiency is what I'm after.
If you look at this picture the track the top should stay straight from top rear idler to front driver. It's not a Polaris susp but just to show if you drop the driver down like a Polaris it would rub slightly, then with 7 tooth drivers it should rub to much.

 

[mountainhorse]

The track is close with the 7 tooth...and rubs when slapping... not sitting just sitting there. You don't want the wheels of the track to bear the weight of the track full-time.

The rubbing happens when the track bows down on the long span between the top idler and the sprocket... minimize that bowing.. and you minimize the rubbing.

Have a look at your track and arm and you'll see, with Proper factory tension, that it's super close but not on the wire with the 7 tooth.

Again, proper Polaris factory tension is key to everything being happy here.






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[flying frenchman]

Ok thanks again.

 

[Norway]

I'd say you could fix this with a regular idler wheel mount. Just bolt one to either side of the tunnel with just the bearing on it, no shaft to cross the tunnel.

Note! Have not done this myself, so make sure you choose position wisely and clear front arm, idlers on rails, rail tips, scratchers etc.

Or just make your own mount from some alu rod and pipe w/center hole.

RS

 

[mountainhorse]

Norway,

For $47, for me, I'd not "reinvent the wheel" but I understand it is more difficult to get parts there for you.


.

 

[mountainhorse]

Kane,

What sled are you installing this into?

Post up some pics when you're done please!!

Happy to help you spend your hard earned Bux!!

Keep her rippin.

MH

Dear Mountainhorse,
Please send me $47.
I read your post and within 5 minutes I ordered the track carrier wheel kit. I needed it as I wanted to stop my track from rubbing as I am installing 7 tooth drivers.
If you hadn't of suggested the wheel kit, I would not have ordered the wheel kit. Therefore, it is your fault I spent $47 to fix my problem I have been trying to find a solution for.
Thank you for your consideration in the aforementioned legal issue.

 

[Norway]

Norway,

For $47, for me, I'd not "reinvent the wheel" but I understand it is more difficult to get parts there for you.
.

LOL, my credit card bill says otherwise!

But you can't put that shaft just anywhere and especially not behind the front arm mounts. And I have a couple of those idler mounts lying around, from Doo, Poo and Lynx

On another note, I just remembered Cat used to have some plastic sliders that mounted to the inside for just this purpose. Or rather, to prevent the track from gaining momentum and slamming the tunnel roof.

"Track, guide" p/n 0604-497

Anyway, this is just idle thinking while waiting for rideable snow. The front arm has those metal "wires" welded in place on each side to prevent just this. As long as the track is not constantly riding on those, I'm not sure it will get very high up on my to-do list.

 

[mountainhorse]

ttt...Build time of the year is upon us.








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[Laundryboy]

So I'm just wondering where this mod ranks in importance. People have been using the smaller drivers on the Pro for a while now, but I gather that the idea of using a sort of carrier system is fairly new. So is this a must do mod, or just a good idea mod? How much wear is occurring on the top of the front arm?

 

[TRS]

The rub rail/wire on the front torque arm with the 2.86 driver has minimum clearance in the stock configuration. When you move to the 7 tooth driver the probability of the rail/wire to wear to the point that it breaks is high and it will destroy your track. I have seen this first hand. You may get lucky. When they get dislodged the next wear point is the top eye on your FTS. When installing 7 tooth drivers I would remove the wear rail/wire from the front torque arm and install the wheel/carrier kit offered by Wahl. This will also give you a little more tunnel to track clearance.