LOCTITE threadlockers are used on all threaded fasteners in Polaris snowmobiles, eliminating the possibility of loosening under vibration. At critical interfaces such as engine mounts, these adhesives are claimed to permanently secure the threaded fasteners that attach the engine to the chassis.
Interference fits between cylindrical parts are equally important in snowmobiles. Here, retaining compounds enable engineers to design robust, lightweight interference-fit joints at a lower cost than traditional interference fits by reducing the required dimensional precision. Additional benefits of retaining compounds include their potential to seal an assembly to prevent corrosion, as well as fill surface irregularities and clearance gaps between metal parts.
Another example sees the bonding of the snow drive clutch cover bearings and the moveable sheave bearings. Here, the clutch has to operate reliably in an environment where temperatures range from -40 to 90°C. In this case, Polaris engineers use LOCTITE 648 to ensure that the bearings are fully seated and retain their position throughout the life of the machine.
In an engine application example, where operating temperatures can reach 230°C, LOCTITE 620 retaining compound is used for retaining crown shaft bearings as it is formulated to survive higher temperatures than the engine is likely to achieve.
Pro Snocross racer and freestyle rider Levi LaVallee holds nine Winter XGames medals, including six golds, and holds the world record for a 125.7m jump achieved on his Polaris snowmobile in 2010. "The one thing that makes you feel good about doing crazy things like distance jumps and double back flips is knowing that, when Polaris is putting their sleds together, they're using LOCTITE," he said.