[1greenmachine]

Okay guys i have kind of a dum question. Today i took my sled a 96 zr580 efi with the ETT tunnel for a first ride and was the first person on the trails. There was 4 or 5 inchs of heavy snow and when i would get on the gas hard going down the trail there was this kind of racheting sound coming from down by the track. Looking back at where this was happening there was some dirty colored snow so i am thinking that the track was spining down to the dirt and the sound was the track spin hitting the dirt. I don't think that the track is jumping the cogs because the track looks in adjustment.

 

[9lives]

I would put the sled up and check the track tension.Dont go by looks- go by the book! It sounds like the track is ratcheting.Did you feel any bogging or jerking?

 

[1greenmachine]

I didn't feel any jerking or bogging and when i had it on hard packed snow it didn't do this. Before we got any snow i took it out and it didn't make this sound when i was doing hard lauches.

 

[IRON WILL]

Well I would first check track tension, while checking that check the drive sprockets. You may want to look at the driven clutch there is a bearing behind it that can cause a wicked vibration under hard acceleration. Sometimes it that bearing gets worn out it can wear out the drive shaft that it is mounted on. I had the same problem with a 700 I had. Also for the hell of it check the tension of the drive chain. Hopefully this will help you out. Don't forget to check that bearing and shaft. It is not fun to fix so catch it before the shaft gets worn out. The shaft is about 70$ and the bearing is around 25$. The price may not be the same at you dealer. It is a dealer only item for that shaft. Good Luck.

 

[Darryn Duncan]

I have heard the same racheting sound for the last two years and couldn't figure out what it was from. I tightened my track, checked the drive sprocket ok. Took off and the drive chain snapped. Check your drive chain and both top and bottom sprockets and the spring tensioner. I was advised to add a manual tensioner as well as the spring one.