How to Adjust Chain Tension on your Ski-Doo Snowmobile

Adjusting the drive chain tension on your Ski-Doo snowmobile is a periodic maintenance need. It’s a quick process that will keep your sled running at peak performance and can be done with just the tools that come with your snowmobile. This Ski-Doo how-to guide will help you and your sled get the most out of every throttle squeeze.

When should I adjust my Ski-Doo snowmobile drive chain tension?

Chain tension should be checked throughout the season. As you rack up the miles, your snowmobile’s drive chain will stretch and require the chain tensioner to be adjusted. An inspection should be performed at the beginning of every season, and then monthly or every 1,500 km (1,000 miles).

Ski-Doo deep-snow snowmobiles require a bit more attention due to the demanding conditions they operate in. Proceed according to the adjustment schedule below.
- After the first 75 km/50 miles
- Then every 500 km/300 miles up to 1,500 km/1,000 miles
- Then every 1,500 km/1,000 miles

How to adjust chain tension on a Ski-Doo snowmobile

These quick steps will help you properly adjust your snowmobile drive chain and get you back on the snow.

Tools Required:
Pulley expander (Tool comes with your Ski-Doo snowmobile.)

1- Park your snowmobile and remove the tether cord.

2- Remove the right side panel to expose the chaincase.

3- Locate the chain tensioner bolt at the rear of the chaincase. Use the Torx end of the pulley expander tool in the clutch guard behind the left side panel and gently rotate the bolt clockwise with your hand to eliminate play.

As you turn the tensioner, you will feel it “click” into the next position. When the tensioner becomes hand-tight, back it off one click.

NOTE: Do not remove the hair cotter pin. Do not overtighten the tensioner. Overtightening the drive chain could result in severe damage to the chaincase components.

4- Resecure the right side panel and properly store the pulley expander tool on the clutch guard on the left side of the snowmobile.

Now that the chain tension on your Ski-Doo snowmobile is properly set, you are ready to get back to the snow. We’ll see you out there!