How to Check Track Wear on a Snowmobile

Your snowmobile track is essential to successful riding. With a good tread, your sled grips the snow far better, which makes the overall ride much more enjoyable. Likewise, a poor tread is like a car with a bald tire. It slips out easier, is far less stable and is more dangerous. It is good to check your track whenever possible but at the minimum once around midway through the winter. Here are some steps on how to know what to look for.

Instructions

    • 1

      Perform a thorough visual inspection for major damage. You won't be able to see any problems if you don't look good and close. Get on the ground and look for any obvious tears or rips in the track. Inspect the section in the rear that you can see clearly, then ride forward a few feet and do the same thing. This will ensure that you are examining the entire length of the track.

    • 2

      Look for signs of wear such as discoloration or greying of the track. Small cracks in the rubber also indicate damage. This is also known as delamination, where the rubber begins to break down and forms tiny cracks. Look for any debris lodged in the track, such as rocks, metal or even glass that weakens the overall performance.

    • 3

      Examine the studs for damage. The studs are small, metallic dimples that line the length of the track. The studs dig into ice and snow. Without them, the snowmobile has far less grip. Look for missing studs or studs that have cracked in half or have dulled down significantly. Stud damage occurs from driving on pavement

    • 4

      Be cognizant of the fact that a track failure in the woods creates a very difficult situation. Proper maintenance and replacement of your track will keep this problem from happening.