Snowmobile

A snowmobile comprising:

• a frame including a tunnel;
• a motor connected to the frame;
• an endless track operatively connected to the motor for propelling the snowmobile;
• a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connected to the motor;
• a chain drive operatively connected to the motor through the CVT, the chain drive being disposed on one of a left side and a right side of a longitudinal centerplane of the snowmobile, the chain drive comprising:
• a drive sprocket;
• a driven sprocket;
• and
• a drive chain operatively connecting the drive and driven sprockets;
• a chaincase housing the drive sprocket, the driven sprocket and the drive chain;
• a drive axle operatively connecting the chain drive to the endless track, the drive axle defining a drive axle axis extending generally laterally, the drive axle comprising:
• a first axle end portion operatively connected to the chain drive;
• and
• a second axle end portion rotatably supported by the tunnel on an other one of the left side and the right side of the longitudinal centerplane;
• and
• a mounting sleeve engaged to the driven sprocket in order to be driven thereby, the first axle end portion being operatively and removably connected to the mounting sleeve and rotating therewith about the drive axle axis.