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Polaris Engine Braking (EBS) explained

128K views 85 replies 30 participants last post by  Tracker1 
#1 ·
There is tons of confusion about the Engine Braking System (EBS) on all Polaris models so I thought I would share some info to help you understand it better. My disclaimer, I study this hard and I am not sure even I got this right.

Polaris has not done us much help by using a combination of different clutching components on different models and different years.

The parts first:

The HD design secondary clutch (EBS SEcondary) with removable helix and a EBS notch in the helix

The Rapid Reaction clutch with no helix and no EBS function

Same primaries but two different bearings in them, one has a one way bearing for full one EBS and one has a two way bearing in it.

Polaris used rapid reaction secondaries with only the two way bearing in the primary on all models that have the rapid reaction or better said, if you have the rapid reaction secondary you have the two way bearing in the primary.

Used the EBS HD design with both one way and two way model primaries

Used EBS secondary and one way bearing for those models listed as having EBS on it.

All vehicles have engine braking down to a certain speed or RPM but the EBS we are talking about is when the speed drops down to a point the primary disengages and it starts to free wheel. There is two levels of EBS and the natural engine braking is on all of them.

Those vehicles with the rapid reaction secondary and two way bearing do NOT have any EBS and will free wheel at low speeds.

Vehicles with the EBS secondary and two way bearing in the primary have "more" or "longer lasting" low speed engine braking than the ones without the EBS secondary.

Vehicles with the EBS secondary and one way bearing primary have what we call "Full" EBS and do NOT freewheel ever. They have braking to a dead stop on the engine.

FYI, vehicles with the one way bearing, the bearing has a shorter life span than does the two way since it does more work with the braking action it performs.

Also the belts are tighter on the full EBS models than other due to the belt needs to be in tight contact with one way bearing for it to help in the engine braking, hence the reason Polaris uses three different belts maybe more and I am talking about the 800 model belt here.

Here is the list of vehicles that have what and my list might be off even I get confused but please clue me in and I will add or remove one when it is brought to my attention.

08 and half of 09 800 models have the EBS secondary and two way primary. Which 09's have what? I don't know you will just have to look at yours, the one with rollers on it in two tracks is the EBS one, the Rpaid Reaction has nothign exposed

09 800 S had the EBS secondary and one way bearing

half year 09 Model forward to 2013 50" 800 Models except for one and that is the 12013 Silver LE with Power steering, have the Rapid Reaction secondary and two way bearing.

The 2013 Silver LE with power steering has the EBS secondary and the one way bearing in it.

2010 thru 2013 800 S have rapid reaction and two way bearing

All Ranger 800's have the rapid reaction secondary and two way bearing primary except for the Ranger HD, it has the EBS secondary and two way bearing.

All XP 900 RZR's have the EBS Secondary and two way bearing.

2012 570's have EBS secondary, actually the exact same one as a XP 900 and the two way bearing.

2013 570 LE Models have the EBS secondary and one way bearing.

I "think" all RZR 4 800's have Rapid Reaction secondary and two way bearing.

BTW, we are of the opinion ALL RZR 4 need a Dalton clutch kit as Polaris used same clutching as regular RZR and the calibration is off.

XP 900 4 RZR EBS Secondary and two way primary

Now to make matters worse on the models that have the EBS secondary there are three levels of EBS on them based on what helix is in it. From the factory you will have the full EBS notch on your helix, in the aftermarket world you can get what we call "less EBS" helix and a "non-EBS " helix for no low speed engine braking.

If all of this confuses you and you are in need of some kind of engine braking you do not have and want to know what it would take to get it, call me and I can help you out. Trust me there is no shame in being confused, I call myself knowing this and I am confused and writing this helped me figure it out as well.

The people who make the secondary clutches and helixes also have a aftermarket division and we can buy the exact same parts Polaris uses on all those models just without Polaris written on them for much less money.

Todd
 
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#4 ·
The 2013 LE with Power Steering has a beefed up transmission as well. That word from the dealer with I asked about putting an engine brake on a 2013 standard 50". The dealer called the factory and was told - not a good ideal to put engine brake on the standard transmission as it is not beefed up to handle it.

Now more confused?
 
#5 ·
I don't know abou the beefed up tranny or not, never heard that or looked into it. Thanks for more work!! LOL

I really think the full on EBS is just too much braking for most people unless they are doing a lot of slow downhill rock crawling.

Most people who want some engine braking down low are those who are just going down some hills at speed around 10 mph or less but not at the point of barely moving like a rock hill guy.

Todd
 
#6 ·
most people around the Appalachian mountains would like engine braking if they have never experienced it. if i knew i was keeping my rzr a long time i'd do it in a heartbeat. Its sure cheaper than changing brake pads twice a year. its impossible to ride and not get mud on your rotors and calipers. The brake pads go FAST.
 
#14 ·
Now if someone could figure out some magic helix/bearing combination that would give you full engine breaking from 2-5 mph but have zero engine breaking at all other speeds you would have the perfect unit for me any many others who enjoy technical rock crawling but also like to go fast and jump and wish there was no engine break when going fast.
 
#18 ·
I put a helix in my '09 rzr-s that came with my EPI kit - I don't actually know what it did for me - I'd prefer to have no engine braking at all.
 
#34 · (Edited)
Todd, I spoke with you on the phne this AM regarding the Polaris EBS and possible ways to modify it. With the info you provided and the limied amount I was able to retain I purchased the Blue 2013 LE, EBS. Thank's I hope.

My first question of possibly many to come is what factory clutch system do I have on the Blue RZR . I'm OK with the Primary as you said it will have the one way bearing, what about the secondary, which on/typee is it?

Second, If I change from the Full to the regular EBS two way bearing system, then what systen will I have, or call it. What happens with the secondary as explained in "EBS explained"? Will I have a EBS secondary?

Can you Splain all this to me again? I talked with a Service Mgr. and he didn't think I could just change to a two way bearing and be the same as a non Full EBS RZR?

Thank's,
Pat
 
#35 ·
Dealers typically don't know squat.

That model has the EBS secondary, the roller secondary or the HD secondary what ever you want to call it. So you have the good one that will give some braking, the one way bearing added to the mix just gives it even more and longer lasting braking.

The EBS secondary gives low speed braking by having a EBS notch in the removable helix on the back side of it, it keeps the belt engaged longer than the rapid reaction secondary does. Then once RPM drops to the point even the EBS secondary can't keep the primary engaged on the belt then the one way bearing you have provides the braking and it can only do the braking when RPM is so low the primary has spread apart and the belt is riding on the bearing. Hence the reason why switching to the two way bearing only loses the lowest of low braking

You can swap a one way for a two way if you want, he only knows one way, polaris's way and has no clue. Guarantee you he can't tell you what model has what.

You did right thing!!!

Todd
 
#37 ·
I have no idea what the 2014 has but if Polaris does not say it has EBS on it it does NOT have the EBS secondary. This only applies to the 800's

The ones that do NOT have EBS listed have the rapid reaction secondary and no low speed braking.

The 570 and 900 XP both have EBS secondary but with a two way bearing in them. Wait, not so sure about the 570 on the bearing, actually I am not so sure about the 570 secondary but the 900 for sure has the EBS secondary and a two way bearing all years

Todd
 
#38 ·
Todd, if I change my Primary one way bearing to the two way bearing will the belt still work? Is the same belt used on both EBS and non EBS Primaries with the EBS secondary?

I tried to sign the Guest book today on your site but kept getting an error. ???. I'll try again latter.

Your videos on clutching tied it all together.

Pat
 
#40 ·
I have a question? I've been thinking about going to the reduced EBS Helix. I understand the engine brake is based using the clutch & engine RPM's to slow the vehicle. But when I add the reduced EBS Helix the engine RPM's should drop as it wants to free wheel more? Will I have an acceleration lag or some sort of snap/jerking in the clutch when I get back on the throttle? I assume there would be as I have to get the engines RPM back up to match the clutch? Am I thinking correctly?
 
#44 ·
Ok, I think I understand why my secondary had issues with a big tire clutch kit.

I have an 2009 RZR that I converted to a S with the SuperATV kit. I have the Rapid primary and Seconday (which I have not seen on any other ride I have touched or browsed on EBay). I ride 80% steep hills and 20% full throttle chasing 900's and 1000's. With 26" Bighorn tires I get about a season out of my brakes. With 27" Bighorn's I get about 200 miles out of my brakes riding Windrock and Brimstone in eastern TN. Im done needing brakes every major ride.

What I need is partial EBS (mine cuts out around 10mph and I'm on the brakes all the time). I was going to purchase a complete primary and secondary from various years in order to get full EBS, but that was before I read you post. Now I want at least partial.

Again, 2009 RZR converted to an S suspension and build date is 12/01/08. I have 27" Bighorns, I have already tried switching to a big tire weight and springs kit, but did not like how it slowed it way down. I am running the S belt and stock springs/weights. I have already planned on purchasing S springs and weights for Primary, but have no clue what to do with the Secondary spring. I would like partial EBS (or full EBS on one clutch, however you want to say it).

Please give me a direction to go.

Thanks
 
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