How to Put a Snowmobile Track on

The snowmobile track is the main drive unit of a sled. While this element rarely needs replacing, due to the low friction environment snow provides, track replacement may be necessary if it becomes cracked or worn from driving on asphalt or being loaded on a trailer. Sled tracks are designed specifically for either trail, trail performance, or mountain conditions. Trail and trail performance tracks have a one-half inch to one inch lug, while mountain tracks have two inch lugs for deep powder.

Things You'll Need

  • Sled stand
  • Wrench set
  • Socket set
  • Extra person
  • Replacement track
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Instructions

    • 1

      Raise the sled off the ground using a sled stand and drain the oil from the chain case if your sled is designed with one. To avoid spillage, use a funnel and oil catch container that is safe for storing oil until it can be properly recycled. After completely draining, re-install the drain plug.

    • 2

      Loosen the track and rear drive axle. At this point, keep the track and rear axle in place as you remove the bolts for the rear suspension and pull it out of the track assembly using the socket and wrench set.

    • 3

      Detach the bearing cup and the gasket to reveal the speedometer housing over the drive shaft. Detach it from the belly pan assembly. Using care not to rip the gasket, remove the cover off the chain case. With the chain case cover removed, loosen the chain tension, locking nut slightly, then fully remove the bolt. The locking nut should remain in its position on the bolt, which will give you a good guide for how deep to reset the tension bolt during re-assembly.

    • 4

      Remove the gear and chain, once the tension is released. Note the presence and position of any shims or spacers, so you can replace them correctly during re-assembly.

    • 5

      Remove the driveshaft by pulling it out from the same side as the clutch. With the driveshaft and rear suspension removed, pull the defective track out. Insert the new track and re-insert the driveshaft. During the drive shaft replacement, you'll need an extra person to hold the track in place while you wiggle the driveshaft back into place. Once the driveshaft is in, spin the track by hand to ensure properly it is properly aligned for the moment. You'll do a final alignment check using the tension bolt later.

    • 6

      Insert the shims and spacers as you found them upon opening the gear case. Slide the gear and chain assembly back onto the drive pin and screw the locking nut onto the drive pin. Turn the chain tensioner to tighten the chain, re-install the chain case gasket and the cover on the chain case.

    • 7

      Re-install the speedometer housing followed by the bearing cup and its gasket.

    • 8

      Insert the rear suspension components and re-attach all connection bolts, tightening them completely. Tighten the drive shaft and track bolts, followed by re-inserting the chain case oil drain plug. Refill the chain case oil reservoir. Reset the track tensioner to its setting before the disassembly and lower the sled to the ground. Make a slow test run, feeling for any left-to-right sliding motion that would indicate the track is loose or out of alignment. If this occurs, raise the sled on the jack stand and re-check the track alignment bolts.