I have a 2001 MXZ with 2,300 miles on it. The slides are origional thus I have never had the skid out......and I am heading up to the UP for a trip this weekend. My question is how often do most you you change your skid frame bearings? I am sure most of you will say when they sound bad, but I will not have time to tear it down before this weekend like I was planning. All of the ones that I can turn by hand feel great. I haven't had it out yet this snowless season. Well.....Should I just go for it or will I be taking a big chance? I am usually a maintance freak!!

i change them every 2 seasons.

I always yank my skids in the summer and go through them. I change any that are the least bit rough.

Since I stopped pressure washing the skid I've had none fail.

I'd quickly check them before going so you have piece of mind. Only takes a few minutes.

Loosen off the track, leave the skid in and test each one. You can gently pry the track to clear the rear ones so you can spin them. Any noise, change them.

Your riding buddies will appreciate it.

Just changed the 2 top idler brgs on my 05 with 2600 miles. They werent falling out, but were noisey.

Find the time to spin em all. It'll be a lot easier to change any bad ones now.

You guys are probably right.................I will at least loosen the track enough to spin them.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

even when i change them every 2 seasons all but one or two of them spin like new. usually there is grease that has come past the seal on the good spinning ones too so i take the seal off and there is condensation in there so it wouldn't be long for them ones to break.

even when i change them every 2 seasons all but one or two of them spin like new. usually there is grease that has come past the seal on the good spinning ones too so i take the seal off and there is condensation in there so it wouldn't be long for them ones to break.
[/b]


You don't change you Drive Shaft Bearings every two years do you?

Part of my pre-season inspection is to pull the skid to check all the bearings, they are eather replaced or repacked. Both my drive shaft and jack shaft have the original bearings that have 16500 k on them. You got to like that synthetic grease.

You don't change you Drive Shaft Bearings every two years do you?
[/b]
nope. my son's were changed this year because the track was changed at 13000 kms. those two are the lucky bearings because they are always lubed unlike the idlers.

FYI!!!!!! All of them felt great except the 3 rear ones. One of the upper ones had a little play in it, but I think it was just the wheel and not the bearing. They probably would have been ok, but if I didn't change them and something went wrong I would have kicked myself.