I rode my 2012 Pro in deep heavy wet snow yesterday. When braking on steep downhills there was this racheting, clunking noise. It seemed to get worse through the day then kinda went away. No noise under power at all, I don't think the track was racheting at all. Looked at the brake system and the pads seem pretty loose in the caliper. Could it be the pads smacking into the caliper. I am leaving for WY in two days, don't want to take a sick sled. BTW, I hadn't noticed this before but my dealer was riding my sled back and forth and he noticed it too.
What is this noise while braking in deep heavy snow?
- Thread starter Matte Murder
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wasatchcomm
Well-known member
im pretty sure i was hearing feeling the same thing you are describing, and i found it indeed was my track ratcheting, check your tensions, when i would be going downhill and hit the break it would make the noise, i rode 2 days in a row, and both days it did it, second day when under power on a hill it did it, got home that night tightened up the track, and no more noise going up or down on brakes.
hope this helps...
hope this helps...
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FCR112
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X1000000000, and then when it happens again in about 3-400 more miles as the track stretches... tighten it up again!
It's also not good to ratchet just because the track is looser than mfr specs.....
Same goes for running the track tighter than mfr specs so it doesnt ratchet when braking or for that matter under power.
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FCR112
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In all honesty I think it would be difficult to run it tighter than the manufacturer specs!
And what are the chances that it is ratcheting when properly set? Not very good. I just don't agree that they all need aftermarket drivers. My '11 is boosted and doesn't ratchet when it is set correctly.
Well then if it doesnt ratchet if it is to manufacturers specs all is good, really not interested in arguing about
If you look at the Polaris stock driveshaft with the stock drivers on it, the three drivers are very close to each other. The snow will pack in between them and eventually pack so hard it ices up. The ice continues to grow outward which then pushes the track off of the drivers and causes ratcheting. Chip the ice and snow out of them and the problem is gone. Check it out next time to see if this cures your problem. Hope this helps 
Thanks for the help. I am REALLY surprised that it will ratchet on the brakes but not under power. There has to be a lot more force under full power on a long pull in deep wet snow than what you could ever get on the brakes. Never would have figured that out without help unless I just got frustrated and tightened the track for something to do.
Noise
If you use reverse in wet heavy snow ice will build up on the drivers and more than likely this is the noise you are hearing. Lay the sled over on its side and look at your drivers next time this happens, look for ice build up. If there is build up try breaking it loose with your shovel handle (assuming you carry one that is) if this doesn't work try zinging the throttle a couple times while it's laid on its side, it should break loose and noise should go away until you use your reverse again.
If you use reverse in wet heavy snow ice will build up on the drivers and more than likely this is the noise you are hearing. Lay the sled over on its side and look at your drivers next time this happens, look for ice build up. If there is build up try breaking it loose with your shovel handle (assuming you carry one that is) if this doesn't work try zinging the throttle a couple times while it's laid on its side, it should break loose and noise should go away until you use your reverse again.
What some don't realize is the track porpoises and balloons on the leading edge of the drivers when you brake, especially on a downhill. It actually guides the track up over the driver lugs if the track is abit loose. That's why they rachet on brake before rachet on pow. On acceleration, tracks balloon below/after the drivers, before the rail tips. Different physics. There are some highspeed videos out there that demonstrates this, if seeing is believing.
Keep in mind, on many long-travel skids, track will tighten abit as skid compresses and swings through it's arc. Full extension is often loosest. Another reason why it does it on downhill and braking. FWIW.
Keep in mind, on many long-travel skids, track will tighten abit as skid compresses and swings through it's arc. Full extension is often loosest. Another reason why it does it on downhill and braking. FWIW.
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$.02
My past experience has been either a loose track or a loose chain. Check both.
I have had ice build up on the drivers on my dragon RMK but never on the Pro RMK. And when it ratcheted on the Dragon it did do it under acceleration.
Brake pads, discs, or calipers should not be loose.
My past experience has been either a loose track or a loose chain. Check both.
I have had ice build up on the drivers on my dragon RMK but never on the Pro RMK. And when it ratcheted on the Dragon it did do it under acceleration.
Brake pads, discs, or calipers should not be loose.
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