I just put a brand new 1" Hacksaw track on my brothers '02 Viper with 96 studs up the middle and plastic backer plates. Went for a little 30km rip on groomed trails. Came back and now noticed that almost half of them are broken, chipped and almost gone. The studs and nuts are still there (thank god), but WTF is with this garbage?
Anybody else encounter this with plastic backing plates? What did I do wrong, over torque them? More work, F#$K!
Anybody else encounter this with plastic backing plates? What did I do wrong, over torque them? More work, F#$K!
bluewho
Active member
I wont use them again....but i did get 3 seasons out of the majority!They must of been to tight for them to crack like that.
sucks
sucks
Agpetro
Member
I would never use plastic backers. Like u said i could see them breaking just because their plastic. But since their on the market that SH@T should not happen. Did you come from a warm shop and go out into the cold? Thats the only way i could see them breaking from a difference in temp. I would try to your money back.
I've had the round plastic "diamond backers" on my SRX for 10 years or so and have not had any break that I'm aware of (may be missing a stud or two in that time, don't know if a broken backer caused it, I suspect not). The backers are still in decent shape after 2k-3k or more all-purpose miles. I'd buy them again unless someone comes out to definitively say the new ones won't last because they are lesser quality than those from a decade ago.
Those of you who are having problems with plastic backers, please post the manufacturer, style/model, part#, of the parts so that others can avoid the low quality products on the market these days. Does anyone have experiences to share on the Fast-Trac Air Light regular or XL plastic backers? Hopefully there are still some high quality backers available.
Those of you who are having problems with plastic backers, please post the manufacturer, style/model, part#, of the parts so that others can avoid the low quality products on the market these days. Does anyone have experiences to share on the Fast-Trac Air Light regular or XL plastic backers? Hopefully there are still some high quality backers available.
Air light black plastic backers with 1500 miles and no issues.
phatkid
New member
OVER TORQUE, ive installed quite a few of them over the years, if torqued properly they will last ... Im a sponsored stud boy traction rider so i havent used them in a while but never had one fail? they just released there new ultra light backers that are plastic with the nut molded into the backer, from the reviews i heard they are awesome, Ill have a set on my sled by next season for sure....... see how they last?
Vmax540
VIP Member
phatkid said:
X2 I have had good luck but, then I have put over 5k miles on lots of tracks that looked almost like new without 1 pull thru or ripped lug !
i will never use them they fall appart everywhere
blueblood68
New member
I will never use plastic again. If you have them and u see ur missing some pics its because the backer broke. I switched any that were cracked to aluminum still have a few plastic left but i will never use them again.
opsled
Active member
Never owned them. Do see them laying on the trail/lake/river all the time. Never seen aluminum ones layin around.
I only use Woodys with the large round backer. Never ant trouble with them.
opsled
I only use Woodys with the large round backer. Never ant trouble with them.
opsled
A couple of bucks
VIP Member
They have come on sleds that I have bought. Only to be replaced w/ aluminum ones as the plastic ones disappear. IMO, plastics are not worth the risk of them breaking and getting a stud thrown into a cooler. I mean really, if your really that worried about shaving a 1/4 second off your time, keep it on the race track. And I'll have to agree w/ ops'.........never have seen an aluminum one out on the trail. Plus, MACK make aluminum ones in a whole bunch of different colors.
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WIsnoRyder
New member
Plastic??? I dont even know how to respond.
VIPER TIM
New member
I put 144 square Air lite backers on my 02 Viper. After 8 years most were either split or broken but holding up. My biggest fear was how to remove backers and nuts with out destroying the studs. I Hung the back end, borrowed a large soldering iron from work, applied the iron to both sides of the backer and split them the rest of the way. This worked well for the studs I couldn't remove with regular tools. I now have all round Woodys