Rear-middle idler wheel STUPID question!

[MNtravis]

2005 Polaris Fusion 900

I am trying to figure out if I have the wrong idler wheel or if the last owner just put it back in backwards maybe. I am talking about the middle idler wheel on the very back of the skid. The one I have on there right now has a circlip on the right side of the middle wheel that basically (is supposed to at least) hold the wheel in place on the bearing. I get the circlip on nice and secure then run the track and the circlip always pops right off. The wheel is more or less fixed in place by the lugs on each side of it, but it just doesn't seem right.

I have my suspicions that the last owner either put it on backwards, wereas the circlip side of the wheel should be toward the left side but is instead reversed and on the right side which might make it more secure. Either that or it is the wrong idler wheel. The online schematics dont show enough to tell. I know the right part number is 1594087 and I found a picture of it online that makes it look like that wheel has a fixed bearing inside it and doesnt even have a circlip. I know the previous owner had it all apart over the years so it is likely he put a replacement part that is "close enough".

Can somebody out there look at theirs and let me know if thiers has a circlip, on which side, or none at all. A picture would be worth a thousand words!

Any help appreciated...
MNtravis

 

[justinkredible56]

Could be that the snap ring is trashed, you are "supposed" to replace those every time you take them off. Just tossin ideas out there, definitely the cheapest route if it gets the problem fixed. I would just take off the idler wheels and run ice scratchers but that's me.

 

[MNtravis]

Circlip is fine

The circlip was very 'vigorous' and seemed to be in perfect shape. Really hoping somebody can snap me a quick picture and post it to rule out the problem. Really bugging me even though we cant even ride right now!

 

[MNtravis]

BTW, are you talking about the spring loaded wires that come down and flick snow into the track when you said ice scratchers? Just curious if you still used the rear middle idler wheel with them? As far as I can tell the middle idler wheel is more of a support at the back for the middle of the track for situations where maybe your going over something that would push up the middle of the track and maybe even deform it? I noticed some sleds have two middle wheels, some have only one and the grass strip racer sleds had none.

 

[HUNDO]

It doesn't matter which way you put the wheel in...that clip is just to keep the bearing in the wheel. Check the groove the clip sits in, it may be damaged. Also check that the bearing is pressed all the way into the wheel so the groove is exposed. All 3 wheels and bearings back there should be identical in size (OD should be 7-1/4") so just check it with the others. And scratchers or not, you will always have wheels in the rear in some configuration.

 

[MNtravis]

It doesn't matter which way you put the wheel in...that clip is just to keep the bearing in the wheel. Check the groove the clip sits in, it may be damaged. Also check that the bearing is pressed all the way into the wheel so the groove is exposed. All 3 wheels back there should be identical in size and bearing (should be 7-1/4") so just check it with the others. And scratchers or not, you will always have wheels in the rear in some configuration.

I figured that the groove the clip sits in must be compromised in some way or the clip is not right. Just in case I found the correct part numbered wheel for sale on ebay and got it for $15 including shipping. I will get a new circlip and give it shot to see what happens.

I really suspect that the wheel is in there (with the lugs guiding it) that I dont think it could move if it wanted to even without the clip! But in the off season I worry about this stuff!