melting slides

shaggyzr2

shaggyzr2

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Joined
Dec 26, 2011
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Central Wisconsin
I just replaced my track with a used like new one, new yamaha graphite slides, slides are burning up, track clips got so hot I burned my finger when I touch them. I've been riding in loose snow so they should be getting cooled. The weird thing is that it will be fine for a while then they'll just start getting hot, and sometimes it's just one side getting hot. Track isn't too tight, I have the marginal snow wheel kit at the bend in the rails, most of the wear is after the bend. What could be going on here?
 
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Is the track out of alignment?
Is your driveshaft in right?

Something is not right if that is occurring.
 
I haven't heard of that happening in some time.

If their is too much tension on the track (too tight) it will cause this. You want a certain amount of slack. Raise the back end and the track is suppose to hang down a specific amount minimum. Not sure of the spec's but at least 1" around the mid point.
 
1-1/2" with 18 lbs. force. Some, myself included, like to run a bit looser.
 
Yamaha idler wheels are know to be too small so that on a new hyfax the don't actually take any pressure off the hyfax in it will "wear in" as you are experiencing. A common upgrade is to swap out the 5 1/8" Yamaha wheels for 5 3/8" Polaris spec wheels. It will reduce pressure on the slides and reduce driveline friction.
 
They wore down a ways now it looks like they stopped wearing, took about 150 miles. I think I might try the larger wheels.
 
That is common for Yamahas, sans the smokin hot clips. Usually if you are in snow, the clips don't get that hot. I wonder if your track is too tight.
 
Don't feel bad. My Co worker has a brand new Ski-doo 800 BackCoutry. Wore threw his slids to where he could see his aluminum rails in 250 miles! Ouch!
 
Neither Yamaha nor Polaris make wheels. Many wheels are made by PPG from Canada. There are numerous size wheels made with various bearings and inserts. You can buy the Polaris packaged parts, or you can simply find a reseller who sells the size you need. Just check the wheel you have and the bearing that is in it. Also note whether or not there is a plastic insert. Get a wheel that is slightly larger (3/8 inch is common).

Which skid are you working on?
 
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My mono shock wore brand new hyfax about in half in the first 1-200 miles and then 300 miles later they are still the same. That was setting the track looser than specs. If I got on a road even for just a little bit I could feel them getting hot and it was like the brake on the sled was on but now it is good to go. The wheels on it are offset down about a quarter inch or so. The m10 on my viper still look almost brand new after about 500 miles though but the track is really loose on it and I am thinking since it doesn't transfer very good it probably doesn't put as much of a load on them.
 
As per the article they shouldn't wear or get hot under intended environmental conditions as explained. The wide temp tollerance keeps them intact. A lot of road grit and sand takes its toll but not nearly that fast. If you're getting snow in the track tension is all thats left unless your metal cleats are missing. Figure you'd spot that already. I am only accustomed to dual slider setups. But what else it could be is beyond my understanding. If they sticking that much there is far too much friction and you have to eliminate the source before replacing them.
 
Like I said before, they seemed to stop wearing now. It looks like the idler wheels don't sit low enough below the slide rail so I can see how they could wear a lot at first.
 
Sorry I missed that. Wheels are not adjustable. Is the rubber fully intact on the wheels. If wearing the slider down to the point where the wheels start taking the load would imply that the wheel contact was too high (as its fixed not possible unless its damaged), or the slider is too low and/or thick. I would expect there are more than one wheel for the length as well.

Before you replace the slider again whenever you'd want to know. If you have a cut off end from the replaced piece you could measure it.
 
I replaced slides once before on this sled and I don't remember them getting so hot, maybe it has something to do with the new track. Anyways...for now I'll just leave it the way it is since they seemed to stop wearing, next time I replace the sides I might go with the larger idler wheels.
 
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