Snowmobile idler wheel mounting

Claim 1

In a snowmobile having a main frame with depending opposite side walls and an endless flexible track having an upper run disposed between the side walls and a lower ground-engaging run, the combination therewith of an improved rear idler assembly comprising: a transverse pivot shaft; means mounting the opposite ends of the pivot shaft to the opposite side walls adjacent to the rearward end of the main frame; a pair of arms respectively mounted on the opposite ends of the pivot shaft and swingable in a vertical arc thereon; a pair of bearing retainers respectively removably mounted on the opposite arms and having generally cylindrical axially aligned recesses; a pair of annular resilient bushings respectively coaxially disposed in the recesses; a pair of opposite, coaxially aligned bearings respectively mounted within the bushings; a transverse axle shaft having its opposite ends journaled in the opposite bearings; a plurality of idler wheels mounted on the axle shaft and engageable with the inner surface of the belt at its rearward end; a plurality of washers and spacers mounted on the axle shaft between the adjacent idler wheels and on the opposite ends of the axle shaft between the idler wheels and the bearings, the stacked bearings, idler wheels, spacers, and washers on the axle shaft being equal in length to the shaft, at least one of said washers being a deflectable metallic spring washer to vary its thickness and take up tolerances; and spring means operatively associated with the arms for biasing the arms and the axle shaft and idler wheels carried thereon downwardly.