How to adjust a snowmobile track?

To maximise your performance on the trails or on the mountain, it is essential to adjust your snowmobile track regularly. Once you know how to proceed, these easy steps will only take a few minutes! Maximum Powersports explains how to adjust your snowmobile track in just 5 easy steps.

The Importance of Adjusting your Snowmobile Track

If you want to take full advantage of all that your snowmobile has to offer, adjusting your track is essential. Without the proper tension, it could not only compromise your safety but could also damage the different components on your snowmobile and cause them to wear down prematurely.

An optimal track adjustment will ensure optimal traction and better energy efficiency. Moreover, it will prevent unforeseen complications and eventual costly repairs.

The Necessary Tools and Equipment

Before you start, you will want to ensure that you have the proper tools in hand. You will need:

• A jack
• A gauge or tensiometer
• A socket wrench or two 17 mm sockets
• A 10 mm socket
• A measuring tape
• A flat head screwdriver

Step 1: Preparing your Snowmobile

First and foremost, you will need a dry and flat area on which you can install your snowmobile. A flat surface will ensure uniform settings. You will also need a well-ventilated room to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, given that you will need to get the engine going in order to proceed to the verifications.

Park your snowmobile in the desired location and remove the key. Start with a visual inspection to help identify any problems or anomalies and remove all excess snow or debris.

Once this is completed, raise the back end of the snowmobile with a jack, high enough so that the track is no longer in contact with the ground.

Step 2: Identifying the Track Tension

The recommended tension will vary from one manufacturer to another. This means that you will have to take a look at the owner’s manual for the exact specifications.

A tensiometer is the most efficient tool to read the tension in the track. You will want to set it according to the manufacturer’s specifications. The track tension is read between the front and rear axles. You can measure a 16- inch distance from the front and rear to identify where the tension should be read.

You can then apply pressure to be able to read the tensiometer. If you are using a gauge, you should apply around 10- pounds of pressure and measure the distance between the track and the ski with a measuring tape; measurements should be between 3/8 and ½ an inch.

You need to repeat these same steps on both sides of the track to ensure even tension. If measurements are the same, that’s it, you’re done! If the tension is too tight or too loose, proceed to step 3.

Step 3: Tightening or Loosening the Track

In order to adjust the track tension on your snowmobile, you will first need to remove the covers on the rear tension wheels.

Once this is done, tighten the screw or the nut on the rear axle with the socket wrench, and tighten the two tension screws on both sides of the skid rail. Tighten slowly until you reach the desired tension, ensuring that you are doing so as evenly as you can on both sides; this will help prevent alignment problems. Once that is completed, tighten the screw or bolt.

Step 4: Checking the Alignment

When adjusting the track tension, you should always take the time to verify the alignment before you finish. To check on the alignment, you need to start your snowmobile and let the track spin for 15- to 20- seconds.

You must then check that the outer edges of the ties are at an equal distance from the rail.

Step 5: Final Adjustments

Is the rail not properly aligned? You can loosen the axle and adjust the tension bolt by tightening or loosening it. Go at it progressively, up until you reach proper alignment.

You should also make sure that tension is even and that all fastening devices are properly tightened. Once the adjustment is completed, don’t hesitate to take your snowmobile out for a test drive in a safe environment.

Maintenance Tips and Tricks

Do not underestimate the important of a good inspection! The track can naturally stretch, and the tension can loosen with time. It is important to inspect your snowmobile before taking it out on the snow, every single time. At a bare minimum, you should ensure a proper tension check for every 40 hours of riding and adjust your snowmobile track accordingly.

To maintain your track in proper working order, we recommend cleaning the system out when coming back from each outing, and to melt the snow by placing your snowmobile in a garage, for example.

Is your snowmobile making a strange sound? That could be a sign that there is a problem with the track adjustment!

Our Aftersales Service for Snowmobile Track Adjustments

Would you prefer placing your adjustment needs in expert hands? For quick quality service, contact our aftersales service department. We can take care of tension adjustments, spot any anomalies and fix them before any problems occur. Your snowmobile is in good hands with our technicians in Hawkesbury, close to Prescott and Russell! Book an appointment online in just a few clicks, to take care of all of your snowmobile maintenance needs.