Vibration in 1ft of powder

saber1

saber1

Active member
Have a 09 Apex only around 2800 miles noticed to day breaking trail in powder track spinning and a lot of vibration to the bars. Is this normal or a bearing problem somewhere?
 
dfattack

dfattack

Well-known member
I have had several apex sleds and still do. I don't know if this is your problem, but I have noticed if you spin the track too much like when getting stuck the belt can get a spot on it that makes it feel like a vibration. I have always been able to fix the problem by changing the belt. My problem has always been a result of spinning the track when I got stuck for whatever reason. It has only happened a couple of times but that was only time I ever had to change a belt and it fixed my problem right away.

hope you figure it out.
 
saber1

saber1

Active member
tried the spare belt same result and noticed while in the powder at WOT i couldnt get past 60mph clutch or Drive shaft bearing maybe the vibration seems to come right below the bars and wouldnt you know it i have a trip planned for this Friday.Maybe someone with a shop can chime in .
 
srt20

srt20

Active member
I agree with the track tension. You are ratcheting the heck out of your track. Keep doing it and you'll wreck your drivers. My old yamaha did it. Tracks need to be banjo tight on those Yamaha's.

And yes, I know it doesnt make sense that it ratchets in powder, but they do.
 
saber1

saber1

Active member
im going to try and take it in to dealer ASAP maybe its a easy fix but something tells me its not the track tension i have not touched the tension in a couple years
 
E

euphoric1

Well-known member
track is loose enough that the track drive sprockets are riding over the drivers on the track causing ratcheting which could be felt as a vibration
saber1 said:
When u guys say Ratcheting ,what is exactly going on between the track and drivers?
Click to expand...
 
R

rp7x

Well-known member
Lift the back of the sled off the ground and see how the track hangs down , if it's louse the drivers are slipping in the track
 
srt20

srt20

Active member
saber1 said:
im going to try and take it in to dealer ASAP maybe its a easy fix but something tells me its not the track tension i have not touched the tension in a couple years
Click to expand...

This is the exact reason why it would ratchet. When it ratchets, the drivers on the driveshaft are slipping on the track. The drivers are made out of plastic. The have "fingers" on them that grab the nubs on the track to propel the track.

Tracks stretch out. The tension needs to be checked periodically. Check every fall when you do your annual maintenence.

Check your track tension and even tighten it a little more then Yamaha recommends. Tight tracks put more HP to the ground.
 
saber1

saber1

Active member
You guys could be right While riding i did notice it all of a sudden like hook up and take off then spin again i l let u know what i find out thanks
 
saber1

saber1

Active member
Update: well took it to dealer turns out a had some strange ice formation on my shock that was rubbing against the track weird stuff but am glad it was minor thawed it out indoors and now its fine go figure.
 
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mezz

mezz

Well-known member
Good to hear, simple fix, but, that in itself affected the track deflection. Always check track tension with all other pre-ride inspection. A little suggestion, bounce that skid a bit before parking after your ride and hang that rear suspension on a stand when staying outdoors. Just my .02.-Mezz
 
favoritos

favoritos

Well-known member
FYI, for future reference on track ratcheting. When you have good hookup conditions from a dead stop, pin it to the bar. It will give you instant diagnosis. If it is ratcheting, it will stop when you back off the gas and come right back when you pin the throttle. It is harder to diagnose in deep snow.
 
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