Clunking noise - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

pharmerEd · 12-17-2007, 01:33 PM

I have a 1990 500. There is a clunking noise coming from it when it moves. The brake caliper is loose along the jack shaft (about 1/8-3/16"play), but all clips and spacers are in place, so I'm not sure if that is the problem. The noise seems to be coming from that area, though. Could be lower, in the belt drive area? I know this is hard to describe, but any ideas of what to look for? Thanks.
Ed

justride · 12-17-2007, 01:34 PM

I know when the track is loose it makes some noise

BskidooC · 12-17-2007, 02:48 PM

a loose brake pad could be making that noise easily...are you sure all the clips are in place? because there should be no reason why they are loose.

pharmerEd · 12-17-2007, 04:08 PM

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll check the brake pads again and see if the track is loose. I'll let you know what I see.

IndianRvrShiver · 12-17-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharmerEd

I have a 1990 500. There is a clunking noise coming from it when it moves. The brake caliper is loose along the jack shaft (about 1/8-3/16"play), but all clips and spacers are in place, so I'm not sure if that is the problem. The noise seems to be coming from that area, though. Could be lower, in the belt drive area? I know this is hard to describe, but any ideas of what to look for? Thanks.
Ed

Do you mean the caliper is loose or the disc (floats)??
I think you may have a flat spot on the belt!

SnowRida · 12-17-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianRvrShiver

Do you mean the caliper is loose or the disc (floats)??
I think you may have a flat spot on the belt!

That's what I was thinking. Had the same problem on the wife's sled and looked at the inside of the drive belt, and there was a spot that was missing some teeth. Replaced it and all is well!

Jaded · 12-17-2007, 08:52 PM

I had a similar type of situation just recently with the 99 Mountain Max I just bought. When I purchased it and went to load it on my truck it moved very jerky and this jerky motion did cause some weird clunking type noise. The seller said, "that is the flat spot on the belt I told you about." His wife at one time apparently had tried to move the sled with the park brake on. The flat spot was on the side of the belt that contacts the sides of the clutch sheave, not on the teeth area. You could barely see it. Changed the belt and it stopped.

pharmerEd · 12-19-2007, 01:52 PM

Thanks again for the replies. The brake disc can be moved along the jack shaft, between the circlips. The caliper is not loose by itself, the entire brake assembly moves. Also, I'll check the belt. Lastly, this started after I had an ice build up in the track that prevented the track from moving until I cleared most of the ice out. Could that have done something? Again, thanks.
Ed

IndianRvrShiver · 12-19-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharmerEd

Thanks again for the replies. The brake disc can be moved along the jack shaft, between the circlips. The caliper is not loose by itself, the entire brake assembly moves. Also, I'll check the belt. Lastly, this started after I had an ice build up in the track that prevented the track from moving until I cleared most of the ice out. Could that have done something? Again, thanks.
Ed

If you were gassin' it when the track was frozen, you prolly burned a flat spot in the belt! Time for a new one!!

Skligmund · 12-19-2007, 04:14 PM

If I have any snow or ice in the track area, the first thing I do after I start the sled it lift up and drop the rear end a couple three times. I'll do the same with the skis. If somebody is around, I'll have them (or I) lift up the rear of the sled and spin it for a couple seconds. Works great.

Jaded · 12-19-2007, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharmerEd

Thanks again for the replies. The brake disc can be moved along the jack shaft, between the circlips. The caliper is not loose by itself, the entire brake assembly moves. Also, I'll check the belt. Lastly, this started after I had an ice build up in the track that prevented the track from moving until I cleared most of the ice out. Could that have done something? Again, thanks.
Ed

I agree with IndianRvrShiver
Now that you say it began after ice build up and track wouldn't turn, my moneys on flat spot on the belt.

Good luck, that would be an easy fix.

**smallengineguy** · 12-19-2007, 06:29 PM

X3!! Change the belt!

pharmerEd · 12-20-2007, 09:55 AM

The belt was it! A flat along the edge about an 1-1/2 inches long. Back on the snow! WooHoo!
Now another question. My '91 Indy 500 does not steer as well as the '90. It does not want to turn as readily. But that I mean, the steering turns, but the sled does not. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

IndianRvrShiver · 12-20-2007, 09:59 AM

You need more ski pressure....either pull the limiter straps a little tighter or back off (loosen) the front spring in the skid frame.
Also check your carbides for excessive wear!

Jaded · 12-20-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharmerEd

The belt was it! A flat along the edge about an 1-1/2 inches long. Back on the snow! WooHoo!
Now another question. My '91 Indy 500 does not steer as well as the '90. It does not want to turn as readily. But that I mean, the steering turns, but the sled does not. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Right on. Good to hear it was nothing serious

And again, it's probably the belt....the one/s underneath this time. As the All Wise IndianRvrShiver said "Limiter Straps".
Who needs a mechanic or Tech when you've got this forum!

Skligmund · 12-21-2007, 12:10 PM

What IRS said. I remember I had the same issue with my 91 500. I had like no carbides left...

pharmerEd · 01-07-2008, 08:04 PM

The steering problem improved a lot by tightening the limiter straps. Thanks again to all that replied.
Ed