Tech Tip - Proper Stud Installation

Sharing this tip from our Facebook page:

With the increased snow in a lot of areas this season riders have been putting more miles on their sleds. Along with the increased miles, I've been reading a lot of posts about people damaging idler wheels. Commenters frequently offer suggestions for different wheels, but this doesn't address the root of the problem as to why the wheels were damaged in the first place. In a large majority of the cases, the cause can be traced back to improper stud installation and maintenance. We encourage sledders to follow the instructions of their stud manufacturer for install. Additionally, the head of the stud must be drawn into the inner surface of the track. If if protrudes above the inner surface, the result will be excessive wear on the idlers. The high-frequency pounding from loose studs can not only lead to idler wear and failure, but bearing failure in both the idler wheels and driveshaft.

The attached photos show correctly and incorrectly installed studs as well as the tell tale circular damage pattern on a billet wheel resulting from loose studs. Be careful to install your studs correctly and check them often for tightness. The higher the horsepower the sled, the more important the inspection routine becomes.