How to Adjust a Snowmobile Track

When the snow falls, and you are itching to get outside and, on your snowmobile, the last thing you want is to hear odd noises coming from your machine. Though, in theory, a variety of reasons could be causing your snowmobile to sound a little off, one of the most common reasons is that your snowmobile track needs tightening. To fix this problem, you will simply need to tighten the track on your snowmobile. If that does not sound so simple to you, don’t worry, we’re here to help.

In this article, we will give you our best tips on how to adjust a snowmobile track. This task is relatively simple and can likely be completed on your own. But if you need a little extra help or simply want to get your snowmobile checked out, do not hesitate to reach out to Kalinowski Power. We provide snowmobile servicing and are ready to help you ensure that your snowmobile is prepared to make the most out of the snowy season.

How Can I Know I Need to Tighten My Snowmobile Track?

Knowing when and how to tighten your snowmobile track is an important skill to have. Keeping your track tight will help to ensure your machine runs smoothly and efficiently as you take on the snow all winter long. The best way to know when to tighten your machine’s track is to listen for its cues. Hearing a ratcheting sound while using your snowmobile, or hearing a noise while using full power uphill through heavy snow offers an indication that you should consider tightening the track of your snowmobile.

You may also consider tightening your track as part of your regular snowmobile upkeep. If you use your snowmobile heavily, you may need to complete this task multiple times throughout a season. Thankfully tightening your snowmobile track can be done on your own and with little equipment.

Snowmobile Tightening 101

There are a few simple steps you will need to complete in order to effectively tighten your snowmobile track. Use these steps below as you tighten your track. This article should provide you with the steps you need to get the job done. Run into a snag? Call us. We are always able to service your snowmobile and would be happy to answer your questions.

Check the Tension – you will need a gauge to complete this step, and it is an excellent tool to have if you own a snowmobile. Use your gauge to check the tension on your track. Check your manufacturer guidelines for the appropriate tension level. For many snowmobiles, this can be 15 pounds and a 1.25-inch gap. These are only recommendations, and you should always follow the instructions provided by your manufacturer.

Loosen the Axle – once you have checked the tension and have confirmed that you need to tighten the track, it is time to loosen the axle. It will be easiest to complete this when the track is elevated. The axle you are looking to loosen is the one that goes through the wheels on the back of the track. You do not want to take this off. Simply loosen it and leave it be.

Loosen the Jam Nut – if your snowmobile has a jam nut, it’s now time to loosen this part too. This is the bolt that will extend from the axle in the same direction as your track. Again, do not remove this part. Just loosen it up.

Tighten the Bolt – now it’s time to tighten the bolt. You will want to keep track of how many times you tighten the bolt in order to make your life a little easier when it comes time to do the other side. Once this step is completed, use your gauge to measure the tension once again. You may need to loosen or tighten the bolt more until you achieve the tension amount recommended by your manufacturer.

Retighten the Jam Nut & Axle – once you have achieved the adequate tension level on both tracks, it is time to tighten everything back up. Backtrack on your steps to ensure that everything you loosened is tightened once more. Congratulations, you have just successfully tightened your snowmobile track and have learned how to adjust the track tension on a snowmobile. This is a great skill and will make your life easier over the snowy season. 

How Much Slack Should a Snowmobile Track Have?

When it comes to tightening your snowmobile track, you still need to leave a bit of slack. As suggested in our first step 1.25-inches can often be a good amount of space to leave. Always make sure to refer to your manufacturer for the best guidance on how much slack to leave on your snowmobile track. This will help to ensure that you do not over tighten your snowmobile’s track, as over tightening can be hard on your machine’s track and other suspesnison components. 

How Tight Should a Snowmobile Track Be?

To ensure your snowmobile track is tight enough, you’ll need to adjust it in accordance with the recommendations from your snowmobile manufacturer. Many manufacturers allow around 15-16lbs of pressure to be the sweet spot for a properly tightened track. When learning how to adjust a track on a snowmobile it will be important to have a gauge to measure the amount of pressure. 

What If Something Else Is Wrong?

Did you run into an unexpected issue while tightening your track? Or the tightening of your track did not eliminate the issue you were experiencing. The snowmobile experts at Kalinowski Power are here to help.

Our service department can assist you in troubleshooting and repairing any issue you may have with your snowmobile. We also carry a large selection of used snowmobile parts to help you take care of and replace parts on your machine. We are passionate about snowmobiling and motorsports and are always here to answer any questions you may have.

Don’t forget to check out our selection of snowmobile products to keep yourself warm and protected while you are facing the elements. We carry snowmobile apparel, women’s snowmobile gear, snowmobile racing gear and many other snowmobile related equipment to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Contact Kalinowski Power today and let us help you make the most of the snowy season.