New to forum, have been riiding Yamaha for 10+ years. Was browsing the tech pages and saw a mod with the holes in the hyfax, has anyone tried this I have never heard of this. I am going to replace on my V Max and didn't know if this is worthwhile. By the way this is an amazing website, wish I would have found it sooner.
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
where were you????lol Welcome aboard.I tried that drilling hole thingie years back,don't know if it did anything.I now run over-sized wheels thru out,marginal snow wheels up front,run track a tad looser and run ice scratchers.
Thanks, I guess I was in the dark lol. I may try the hole thing and go with the over-sized wheels in the summer. Will scratchers work with reverse?
I also used to try drilling the holes in the past, did not notice a difference. I now just plan on replacing every fall when I remove and inspect the skid. Hyfax are cheap. Heck I have a years supply sitting in the shop for all 4 sleds. Al
ottawaair
New member
you will have to hook them up for reverse. My opinion is that the holes in the hyfax work good. it reduces friction & increases the life of hyfax by holding snow & ice in the holes. I don't drill all the way through, but close.
Bluenote
New member
Replace Hyfax Before Your Sled Goes Into Warp Core Breach
Whether you're riding on a hard-packed trail or on refrozen ruts, the scenario is the same: your snowmobile seems to power down, the track just doesn't have its usual spin and the MPH and RPM have fallen off into a blackhole.
Your first thought: "Are the brake pads hanging up?" But with the advent of deep-lug paddle tracks and the ever-growing popularity of spring riding, a better guess may be the hyfax. Chances are it's taking a beating, or more precisely, a melting.
The hyfax, generally made of UHMW plastic (the same compound used for composite skis and ski skins), is not always heat resistant. Heck, you know what a match can do to plastic. But its near frictionless quality keeps parts moving along.
If you want to get up close and personal on understanding hyfax burn,think about a time when you got a nasty carpet or Astroturf burn. Not fun.However, there is the new Hiperfax on the market with a graphite insert that seems to remove most, if not all, of the friction and heat problems encountered with deep-lug tracks and tough spring riding conditions. These hyfaxes are so slippery that you can remove the rear suspension's lower idler wheels, which is a nice weight savings.
Before the season gets underway, do this simple check: roll the snowmobile on its side and inspect the hyfax where it meets the track. If the hyfax is worn excessively, replace it. Think about it-if the hyfax is worn through and track clips start wearing on the slide rail assembly you may as well head to the nearest repair shop, open your wallet and yell, "dive in!"But to replace a set of hyfax, all you need is some patience and about an hour.
(compliments of American Snowmobiler)
Whether you're riding on a hard-packed trail or on refrozen ruts, the scenario is the same: your snowmobile seems to power down, the track just doesn't have its usual spin and the MPH and RPM have fallen off into a blackhole.
Your first thought: "Are the brake pads hanging up?" But with the advent of deep-lug paddle tracks and the ever-growing popularity of spring riding, a better guess may be the hyfax. Chances are it's taking a beating, or more precisely, a melting.
The hyfax, generally made of UHMW plastic (the same compound used for composite skis and ski skins), is not always heat resistant. Heck, you know what a match can do to plastic. But its near frictionless quality keeps parts moving along.
If you want to get up close and personal on understanding hyfax burn,think about a time when you got a nasty carpet or Astroturf burn. Not fun.However, there is the new Hiperfax on the market with a graphite insert that seems to remove most, if not all, of the friction and heat problems encountered with deep-lug tracks and tough spring riding conditions. These hyfaxes are so slippery that you can remove the rear suspension's lower idler wheels, which is a nice weight savings.
Before the season gets underway, do this simple check: roll the snowmobile on its side and inspect the hyfax where it meets the track. If the hyfax is worn excessively, replace it. Think about it-if the hyfax is worn through and track clips start wearing on the slide rail assembly you may as well head to the nearest repair shop, open your wallet and yell, "dive in!"But to replace a set of hyfax, all you need is some patience and about an hour.
(compliments of American Snowmobiler)
I have been doing this mod for years.. I only drill at the bend though.....1/8 inch to 3/16ths of an inch holes . Makes hyfax lasts much longer and improves rolling resistance!
Simple test, for all Yamaha hyfax, If you can slip the open end of a 10 MM wrench over the edge of the hyfax they need replaced. Not every place on the Hyfax wears the same. Mine seem to wear midway back on the skid the most. I keep the tracks semiloose, 1.5 " at 20lbs pull. Al
alswagg said:
Good quick tip there. I drill mine. Seems to work for me but who knows. It's at leasta good mindless activity. I did the five dot dice pattern.
Thanks all, I will give it try. I guess my concern is that it would weaken the slide and I would lose it completely on the trail, and that would not be fun. Sounds like that is not an issue.