I know it's not ideal, but is it a bad idea to have two different size studs? I recently purchased 96 studs to add to my viper, which currently has 48 studs in the stock track. The problem is I ordered 1.075 thinking that's what's on it now, but they are actually 1". Would it be a bad idea to add the 96 1.075" to the existing 1" studs?
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bluehammer
New member
Well, I'll take a shot at it. I would guess that the studs you have in there now are not 1" anymore due to some wear. There is only .075" difference between the two minus any wear that you now have, so that may really be .100" difference. The problem I see is that the newer studs will be doing most of the work, but in that you are only running 96 studs now and have had no problems(tear throughs) or bent studs now(you didn't say) it probably will work, but not in the way you would think. The performance gain will be something less than 196 studs overall due to the different lengths. You should be okay with trail riding and lake riding, but you won't get the traction on hardpack that you would expect from 196. Confused? Didn't mean to put it that way.
I was thinking the same thing, but there are only 48 studs right now. DOn't ask me why. The previous owner studded with only 48! The sled only has 500 miles on it and you're correct that the orig studs are now less than 1" due to wear. My plan is to add to the 48 (96 new ones at 1.075)to have a total of 144.
bluehammer
New member
What kind of sled are we talking about here? 02 Viper? How high is the lug? I misread your post about only 48 being in there. Original owner only used the 48 to stop with, I would guess. Not nearly enough though, expecially on the Michigan trails.
Waterfoul
New member
I don't see it being an issue. On hard pack they will all be helping you go and stop. On ice the longer ones will be doing most of the work, but let's be real... a difference of only .100 would not be that noticable, if at all, to any of us recreational riders. And I'm sure the track can handle the difference just fine.
bluehammer
New member
I agree Wf. But I've always tried to get the best performance from what I have to work with. If he's stock in every way, then I'd say go ahead. But what we don't know is the lug height. If he's using a 1" with a .920 lug, he may want to take them out and get another bag of 1.075's just to make things really right. It looks like it might be a long season, so now would be the time to do it.
It's the stock '02 viper track. I'm planning on maybe going with a new track next season, but wanted to add studs just to get by for this season. I got a good deal on the studs, so I plan on just adding to the 48 and calling it good. The orig. 48 are worn down pretty good, but I don't think it will matter being that I'll have 96 new ones.
yamaholic22
Active member
the original studs are worn down good in only 500 miles? yikes
Yes, along with the carbides... I think the previous owner did too many street runs with very little snow. He knew nothing about snowmobiles, went on two trips and stored it for 2yrs before selling. I pretty much stole the thing and knew that I'd have to do some minor maintanence to it.
yamaholic22
Active member
i would pull those 48 short worn out studs out. They are just extra rotating weight. Get 96 fresh ones (1.075) in there and run it. You'll be glad you did.
What's the best way to remove old studs? THe nuts come right off, but I could not get the studs to budge when I tapped it with a hammer.
yamaholic22
Active member
they can be kind of a pain. I usually put a vice grips on the point and push and twist them back as far as you can, then pull them out by the head.