Track Tensioner?

[MBllnr]

On my srx last year my tensioner bolts kept loosening and tighening while riding. I came across a used skid cheap and just threw it in. When the bolts would tighen it actually bent the channel plate they slide threw to pull against. Can this part be repaired and or replaced or are the rails just taking up wasted space?
Mike

 

[Sno-Xr]

If your talking about the plate that is riveted on the side of the slide rail , then yes they can be replaced. depending on how bad it is bent, you could probably get away with leaving it, as long as it is still pulling back on the rear axle.

When you say it keeps loosening up, what do you mean? Is the nut moving, or is the axle moving back and forth?

If the nut is moving back and forth, replace it with a new nyloc nut.

Once the track is set to the proper tension, you have to tighten the axle bolt/nut so that it clamps to the rail, assisting the tensioners.

 

[MBllnr]

Yea, the brass colored plate is what is bent it became bent so much that it doesn't allow the tensioners to work. Where can I find a new plate and then what kind of rivit/bolts should I used to hold it to the rails?
Mike

 

[snomofo]

Yea, the brass colored plate is what is bent it became bent so much that it doesn't allow the tensioners to work. Where can I find a new plate and then what kind of rivit/bolts should I used to hold it to the rails?
Mike

By the time you buy the plate and rivets (I don't think they're pop rivets) and the time to grind/pound/replace the plate you may be better off finding a complete skid or rail.

I'd offer up one of mine but I swapped rails onto a Viper skid I bought because the plates were buggered up from the axle not being tightened so the plates on the rails I have are wowed out and aren't much good.

I'd price out the plate and rivets and then look in the classifieds for a rail or complete skid. Pro-actions go for pretty cheap around here and it's nice to have other pieces/parts on hand.

Just a thought.

Oh, I see you're working with a second skid as it is. Perhaps the plates/rails from your original are still in good shape? If so, just swap them.

Now would also be a good time to go through it completely checking shaft bushings, w-arm, shock bushings, etc... all the other stuff that breaks/wears.

 

[MBllnr]

Yea, I have two skids. I was just thinking it would be nice to get the second one in operating condition. I was out messing with the sled last night and I noticed that 1 w arm has a small crack in the weld. So I will have to take out my other w arm inspect, clean, reinforce it.

 

[Viper302]

Yea, the brass colored plate is what is bent it became bent so much that it doesn't allow the tensioners to work. Where can I find a new plate and then what kind of rivit/bolts should I used to hold it to the rails?
Mike

Just use 1/4 bolts and lock nuts with the new brackets.

 

[MBllnr]

Where can you get the plate? I looked in a hurry on Ports site and couldn't find it.

 

[MBllnr]

So upon looking closer at skid #2 the axle grooves are wobbled out a little bit. So I am guessing these rails are trash. I was hoping to rebuild and have a spare.

 

[snomofo]

So upon looking closer at skid #2 the axle grooves are wobbled out a little bit. So I am guessing these rails are trash. I was hoping to rebuild and have a spare.

Yeah, if you use the rails with the wobbled slots you may find the track tension/alignment won't remain constant. That's what led me to inspect the plates a bit closer. I'd tighten the axle after an adjustment only to find it loose after short ride. The nut didn't move but with the plates mushroomed the axle washers weren't mating to a flat surface.

 

[mrviper700]

So upon looking closer at skid #2 the axle grooves are wobbled out a little bit. So I am guessing these rails are trash. I was hoping to rebuild and have a spare.

be fairly simple to place a weld on one side and then use a bridgeport to machine the axle slot again, then dust off the face on both sides of the rail and it should be good as new.

 

[MBllnr]

be fairly simple to place a weld on one side and then use a bridgeport to machine the axle slot again, then dust off the face on both sides of the rail and it should be good as new.

I dont have the means to do this. The rails will probably just go to the attic and the W arm will be reinforced as a spare.
Mike