Track Failure Article

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Failure #7 - CLIP DAMAGE

Here the track clips are worn severely or unevenly.  The clips may be discolored or blued from overheating, and plastic hyfax material may be stuck to the clips.  This can be caused by marginal snow conditions

resulting in poor lubrication that causes excessive heat in the track clips, or by abrasive materials such as sand mixed in with the snow that causes rapid wear at the clips and hyfax.  Again, this is a condition problem and not a defective track.  Any day that gets above freezing will be followed by a morning with solid trails and little loose lubricating snow; prime conditions for clip damage.

Failure #8 - BROKEN RODS/WINDOWS

Here the rods are broken out and there is clear impact damage to the track or clips is in the same area of the track.  This is caused by the impact of hitting hard objects, and is not a defect.  

You may also see rods broken out, with the remaining track showing evidence of overheating, and/or the track is torn.

This can also be caused by riding in marginal snow conditions that result in poor lubrication at the slides and clips.  The excessive heat weakens the rods, and the rod can break, maybe hundreds of miles later.  The exposed rods may show signs of overheating, and can be brown or dark brown in color.

Failure #9 - WHEELS/SUSPENSION DAMAGE

The inside of the track can be damaged from impact or rubbing of suspension components.  The track shows signs of rubbing, blistering or bubbling.  This can be caused by bent or broken suspension parts,

seized suspension arms or idler wheels, and is not a defect.  However, if there is a bubble or air pocket in the rubber with no other signs of damage, it could be a manufacturing flaw if it occurs at low mileage.  

Maximizing Your Track’s Life

The most common comment we hear about installing a higher lug aggressive track is, “All I’ll do is melt a set of hyfax.”  Not true. If you get into a situation where you smell hyfax, the clips and internal rods are getting hot and it is time to stop and get some snow on the hyfax and the clips.  Failure to do so may not seem like a big deal at the time, but if the hyfax is wasted in a few miles, chances are that the clips and rods got hot enough to do some damage.  It may not show up right away, but the track could have been weakened and may fail prematurely.  With track replacement costs approaching $500 and higher, select the right track for your riding, and if you get into conditions where there isn’t enough lubrication, slow down, pack the suspension full of snow, and try to keep the hyfax at a lower temperature.  If you smell the slides, they’re too hot.

The first few hundred miles are when the bulk of the stretching happens, so keep an eye on it and maintain proper tension and alignment.  A loose track can slip (ratchet), derail, or catch on suspension parts causing severe damage.  Know the proper tension for your sleds, and do not overtighten the track.  This can increase the friction between the track and the hyfax slides resulting in rapid wear, and will also put excessive load on suspension components which could result in component failure.