How to Modify a Snowmobile Track

Snowmobiles were first developed in 1927, created with a wooden toboggan fitted with two skis, steered with ropes and powered by a two-and-a-half horsepower Johnson outboard motor. In the years since, snowmobiling has become a passion for those that love the snow and winter environments. Modifying tracks can be done to offer the snowmobiling enthusiast the best opportunity to experience the mobility of the machine and feel the thrill of its speed and handling. The modifications can be done with minor alterations, and completed quickly for immediate enjoyment.

Instructions

    • 1

      Dry off the snowmobile with a large, clean towel. Gently remove the suspension of the snowmobile, and set it aside in a safe place.

    • 2

      Obtain a large lift or jack system, and place the snowmobile on the jack to elevate it from the ground. Once it is elevated and easily accessible, lift the hood of the machine, and remove the exhaust pipe.

    • 3

      Remove both the primary and secondary clutches, to offer you plenty of room for modifying the track of the machine. Set aside all these pieces of equipment in a logical and orderly fashion, to help reinstall them correctly.

    • 4

      Unscrew the screws and attachments that hold the gears onto the machine. Remove the chains and unscrew the nuts that support the O-ring and bearing cup. The speed sensor is on the clutch side of the machine. Remove the nuts that secure the clutch to expose the speed sensor. Remove the screws that attach this sensor, and set it aside.

    • 5

      Remove the drive shaft to expose the track. The drive shaft is beneath the machine, and can be worked out of place with some gentle coercing. Once the drive shaft is removed, you can have access to your machines track for modification. Adjust the track as you need modification, by replacing the original track with a lighter one, or simply modifying the shape and adding studs if necessary.

    • 6

      Reinstall the various components you took out of the machine, in the exact way you detached them. Be sure that all nuts, screws and bolts are secure, fastened tightly to the snowmobile. Verify that the modified track is running properly, then complete the reconstruction.