Recent content by Paul2727

SKD: My recommendations: 1) Remove your DD from your sled. 2) Disassemble your DD cover & transfer shaft. 3) Remove your original Arctic Cat transfer shaft bearing & spacer. 4) Press your new 3203 bearing onto your transfer shaft. 5) Reassemble your DD on your work bench (not in your...

Sounds a bit much, you could have more axial clearance than you actually need, but that won't hurt anything. So yes, that calculation is correct, to get the same fit as factory A/C. Another measurement method from my 2009 M8, which had a wider spacer:

In your drawing, the 6203 bearing is #14. If you install a 5203 or 3203 bearing, you must remove spacer #13, to have room for the wider bearing. Arctic Cat manufacturing tolerances and quality control were poor in regard to this issue, so the same part in different machines may have different...

Info about my 2011 HCR, be sure to read post #118 because my HCR had a gross mis-match between the track drive shaft and aluminum tunnel, which causes the 6203 bearing to fail. https://www.snowandmud.com/arctic-cat-m-series-456/diamond-drive-bearing-upgrade-thread-lots-47974.html Also...

Three guys running turbos, big bore kits, and nitrous on Arctic Cats in the Sierras, well in excess of 300 hp, one over 400 hp, had no problems with their stock DD, for several years. They laughed at guys like me, with newer model stock machines, with low miles and blown DD's. They (wrongly)...

You should look at the fit of your tunnel vs. track drive shaft. There is a procedure listed here or in Snowest.

The standard SKF 3203 bearing "SKF Explorer 3203 ATN9/C3" also has a nylon cage (glass-fiber reinforced polyamide 6,6). A nylon cage is actually the best, least friction, highest rpm, etc. Better in every respect in a DD, as compared to a steel cage. Merry Christmas!

Good summary. Everything you wrote James is spot on! However, I will add one additional precaution / clarification: When you install your assembled DD back into your sled, it's very hard to see behind the case, so you can't tell if the DD case seats completely against the tunnel. And when you...

2009 M8 installed a Pro-Armor. Works great. Details: https://www.snowandmud.com/general-upgrade-discussions-401/2009-m8-tether-cord-wiring-20626.html

Several years ago, after a minor get-off while boon-docking, I watched my track go by at 90 mph, about 6 inches from my face. Couldn't move. My carb'ed machine finally stopped about the same time my riding buddy arrived. Since I'm not what I consider "a lucky guy", I don't think I'd survive...

That's a very bad sign! Causes axial load on your 6203/3203/4203/5203 bearing.

Others have commented about the total combined gear lash (wind-up) in a DD, with three separate gear mesh connections. Doesn't seem to cause problems. The synthetic oil, rubber drive belt, and rubber track should provide enough cushion.

My mistake! The 6000 rpm I quoted in my December 29th, 2011 post #62 (above) is the max speed difference between the two lower DD shafts at 120 mph (estimated max for a short track lake runner). Those two DD shafts are separated by the 6203/4203/5203/3203 bearing. My calculation mistake was...

Attached a directory of DD threads - that's your Christmas present! Good luck!

Max; After you open your DD cover, your transfer shaft should slip out by hand. Heard of some that had small metal bits worked in, that prevented the bad bearing from slipping out of the machined pocket in the planetary basket. The owners solution was to pry out the transfer shaft with 2...