[robm]

Well I had a short weekend of riding...didn't even make it out of town, noticed a green puddle under my sled after paying for my gas. Studs finally gouged their way through the heat exchanger, and I couldn't figure out why at first. After taking the track off, all I could find was one stud snapped off at the nut, so I assumed that to be the culprit. Then I looked a little more and found that the track had torn around one of the double backers, which allowed it to "flap" at higher speeds. I cut and removed that piece of track, but there is another spot starting to tear the same way. Tried to pull all the studs out today, but about 1/3 of the torx fittings were stripped so I couldn't get some them out...ending up putting them all back in. I plan to make some front cooler protectors and see what happens...friggin' studs.

Anyways, has anybody else seen track damage like this? 1900 miles, stock '03 440 track.

 

[dublbubble]

yikes!

 

[sledneck97]

Had the double backer studs on my 05 Just opted to remove them for peace of mind they were starting to rub the coolers.

 

[Tom White]

If you are going to run studs on a 440 track, you must run the tall nuts too. The small nuts allow the studs to bend and the pressure on the backer plate loosens a bit and then tears the track.

A good solution (if you want studs) is to buy single backer plates and big nuts. Then run half the number of studs using the good existing holes.

 

[bighiter]

on the stud when the torx strips out you may have to get out the ole vice grip. The best way for taking out studs is a air racthet and not to let off until it is completely off or they tend to seize.....u can also take teh torch to them

 

[robm]

I had an air ratchet on them, worked great on the ones that the torx fittings weren't stripped on. The ones that I couldn't get off, I tried vice grips on the stud and just a normal wrench to break the nut free, but the vice grips always managed to slip...those nuts are tight. What a "edit for bad language"-off! I thought about a zip disk or torch, but cutting 30+ studs off at the nuts that way would be pretty time consuming. I don't think it would be possible to put the tall nuts on now! All I need from that track is to last me the rest of the season...fingers are crossed. Thanks for the input, guys.

 

[bighiter]

yeah i used a zip disk on about 10 of them it takes maybe 30 seconds a stud. Had it on a air tool. If the studs really start to bother you you can try that works good and doesnt take very long.

 

[2doodave]

use a dremel with a cut off wheel works great. by the way i have around 80 stud boy 1.74 studs if you need some let me know i will sell all for $40.00 or 50 cents a piece. later dave

 

[snowcrosskid]

Hey dude! Just finished welding up your heat exchanger at lunch break today! You're all fixed up now! Also I have quite a few extra studs if you need them! I sent your exchanger home with your DAD!!

 

[robm]

2doodave, I don't think I'm gonna replace any but I appreciate the offer. Cory, quick turn around! Thanks a lot, hope it wasn't too much of a hassle.

 

[snowcrosskid]

2doodave, I don't think I'm gonna replace any but I appreciate the offer. Cory, quick turn around! Thanks a lot, hope it wasn't too much of a hassle.

[snapback]701586[/snapback]​

no problem it'll just cost you... one million dollars!! ohh ahh ahh!!! In unmarked loonies!! LOL! Just kidding you'll just have to buy me lunch one day!!

 

[froesen]

unmarked loonies. wow. i love it. got 2 in my pocket, rob...best i can do...

nik

 

[mkeeping]

Had the exact same thing happen to my track this weekend. I heard the noise the stud was causing as it was hitting the heat exchanger and I stopped immediately. I found the offending studs and cut the section out of the track. Luckily it didn't puncture the cooler.

 

[robm]

Had the exact same thing happen to my track this weekend. I heard the noise the stud was causing as it was hitting the heat exchanger and I stopped immediately. I found the offending studs and cut the section out of the track. Luckily it didn't puncture the cooler.

Well I'm glad my little situation was able to help somebody! lol