M7 Problem

[Meentz]

Hi guys, I'm a snowmobile newbie for the most part, only having bought my first sled last year. A 2005 Arctic Cat M7 to be exact. It ran well for me last year, no issues except a little excessive oil usage.

This year, however, I'm having a problem. When I took it out, I noticed that when I let off the throttle, this thing wants to come to a dead stop, like right now! Nearly bucked me off, over the hood style! I hadn't noticed it last year. I also noticed that there is a bit of a high pitch grabbing sound, like a guy was coming onto squeaky brakes almost. The noise is coming from the belt side of the sled, which is also the clutch side, correct?

Could this be a clutching issue? belt issue? I'm new to these machines and would just like a place to start looking instead of hauling it into a dealer and paying someone else. Might as well learn a bit.

Any advice would be welcome!

 

[moyiesledhead]

Has the Diamond drive been serviced. Gotta do it every season. They work great but don't like to be ignored. Pull it out and strip it down. Sounds like maybe a bearing gone.

edit: But before that......go check your parking break. Forgot it was on and had that "WTF" moment test riding the first 2 I serviced this year. After 40+ years sledding you'd think I'd know better by now!

 

[TylerG]

Yup, Start with the diamond drive, moisture in there can wreak havoc on the gears. Recommended to be serviced at the start of every season.

 

[buckie]

Ya I did the dumb e-brake deal before obviously check there first. It to me definatly sounds like diamond drive issue if it's never been serviced then be prepared to fix it it a notorious issue for the m series

 

[Modman]

X5 on what the others have said. Sounds like a driveline issue. Check brake to make sure its not on. How much snow were you in? If you were only in a little bit of snow, you might have got your sliders hot and melted them, causing them to stick. Check to make sure there is nothing stuck or wedged in the track or suspension, if you've parked it outside or ran it around and then let it freeze up again it might be totally coated in ice in the tunnel or in the suspension. If so thaw it out. if not...continue on... Spin the wheels to make sure none of them are seized or almost seized. Then take belt off and roll primary clutch by hand, motor should turn freely no issues. then roll secondary clutch by hand, should be smooth.

If the secondary is hard to turn or you can hear noises coming from behind it, pull the bolt out, take the secondary off and drain the oil from the case behind it, then pop the cover. If you want to pull it out of the sled completely there is a great thread on it in this section. Definitely sounds like a bearing or something stuck.

Here is the thread on your DD.

https://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f456/diamond-drive-bearing-upgrade-thread-lots-47974.html

 

[Meentz]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Definitely not the parking brake, ice or snow, sliders or wheels. Gonna open her up this weekend hopefully and take a swing at the DD.