Drive Belt Life?

BeachHead · #1 July 3rd, 2009, 08:30 AM

My S has about 675 miles on it. Of that, probably 500 or so is all dunes. I'm all stock, including tires. Yesterday, while out on some hardpack, when going downhill, completely off the gas, I started to get a lot of belt "squeek". I didn't smell anything, or get any smoke, but soon as I heard the squeeking, I'd try to get on the throttle a little to stop the slipping.

So, is it time to change belts? Is 675 miles about right on a stock unit for belt life? If it is time to change the belt, should I go with an EPI, or is the factory one good enough? I honestly do not plan on any power mods in the next year or so, since this isn't my primary toy, and it's good enough for what it's used for right now.

CESCO · #2 July 3rd, 2009, 10:05 AM

mine make that noise every time I am going down a hill, I think that it is the engine brake system that does it. sometimes I will smell hot rubber like the belt is getting to hot. I only have 100 miles on mine. not sure what to tell you about belt life or brands.

tr325 · #3 July 3rd, 2009, 12:19 PM

our belt had 1800 miles and broke. all depends on how you drive and the terrain/trail cond. and if you use low climbing over rock's and stuff. sportsman belts i have seen them with 5000 miles and still going

BeachHead · #4 July 3rd, 2009, 04:12 PM

Thanks for the input. I had some store credit at the local poo dealer, so I went ahead and ordered a new factory one (I've never walked into that dealer and ever found what I was looking for in stock...what a crock to call it a "parts" department...but that's another whine) I figure I'll put the new one on, and keep the old one for a spare to get me home in case (when?) it shreds, and then just change it once per year for now.

bagman · #5 July 3rd, 2009, 04:36 PM

Good idea to carry a spare. You can measure the difference in the belts when you get it and see if it's really worn.
I'm suspecting the noise you heard is normal. My CVT is fairly noisy on downhills.

**johnnycat8** · #6 July 3rd, 2009, 05:35 PM

i have a tone of miles on my epi but time for a new one belt is down to 1.068 in

goatheady · #7 July 5th, 2009, 03:04 PM

Mine is doing this too with 1.1 hours on it. Only does it down hill when I'm
off the throttle. So is this normal? Or should I have it checked out? Had
a non S model last year and it never did it.

Thanks,
The Ghead

Airborne LT · #8 July 5th, 2009, 06:50 PM

Mine does it too. I have 100 miles on mine. Seems to have gotten a little quieter as it wore in over the weekend. I like the low range........much quieter when downhilling, IMO.

DWRAT · #9 July 5th, 2009, 07:25 PM

I hopes it's normal as mine makes noise when off the gas also.

mEthOdsOmAhAn · #10 July 5th, 2009, 10:02 PM

my stock belt broke @ 1971miles with the spacer removed since day one .

madkawi · #11 July 19th, 2009, 06:53 AM

You guys got me second guessing a Polaris... All this belt "Blowing" talk...

I have over 2500 miles on my Stock Kawi belt in my 2008 Brute force and it still looks like new.. I am ROUGH on belts,,, Wheelie Central here.

I know we are talking a larger vehicle here, but Kawi and Popo clutches are very much the same design.

On the Kawi forums the guys have tried ALL the different belts with all having the same results... Kawi belt is the BEST by a counrty mile... The absolute worst is the Gatorback. Most guys don't even get out of the garage with one. Dayco and EPI have about the same results with about half the life of a Kawi belt.

The Key to the Kawi is keep the Deflection tight and Use LOW range whenever you can.

There is no alignment for Kawi... How is this achived with the RZR?

I am very experienced with belts, clutches, weights and springs for the Kawi. I was hoping this might help me with the Popo system.

I read so many things on here about belts, buy they are spread over So many diffenent posts... Is there a "One Stop" has it all post I am missing???

Also, how often do you guys adjust your belts. and how hard is it ?

thanks,
greg

goatheady · #12 July 19th, 2009, 07:28 AM

Didn't say the belts are breaking, just making a squeeking noise.

The Ghead

**GIFF-TURBO RZR** · #13 July 19th, 2009, 07:38 AM

The noise is normal coming from the "S" clutch BUT if it becomes more than normal or loud then you should open the cover and check the one way at the base of the primary........take a look at the photos in this thread......that clutch only had 200 miles on it.....http://www.rzrforums.net/engine-driv...t-bearing.html

**Boost_it** · #14 July 19th, 2009, 07:47 AM

MadKawi, there is no belt deflection in the RZR due to the bearing in the clutch.
Also, it is normal to give a CVT machine a little throttle to keep the clutches engaged going down hills.
It is possible that this is where some of the noise and wear is coming from on some machines. The RZR S has a one way bearing in the clutch that may be taking too much stress and creating heat when descending a long steep hill. Keeping the clutches engaged will keep the belt off this one way bearing. This is only a theory that has been suggested, but makes some sense.
The life of the belt is dependent on the amount of abuse the belt it taking. This abuse can be from driver or poor clutching.
I have well over 1000 miles on a Turbo RZR belt and the belt is still good, whereas I have killed a belt in less than 200 miles while tuning the clutching.

**GIFF-TURBO RZR** · #15 July 19th, 2009, 07:54 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Boost_it

MadKawi, there is no belt deflection in the RZR due to the bearing in the clutch.
Also, it is normal to give a CVT machine a little throttle to keep the clutches engaged going down hills.
It is possible that this is where some of the noise and wear is coming from on some machines. The RZR S has a one way bearing in the clutch that may be taking too much stress and creating heat when descending a long steep hill. Keeping the clutches engaged will keep the belt off this one way bearing. This is only a theory that has been suggested, but makes some sense.
The life of the belt is dependent on the amount of abuse the belt it taking. This abuse can be from driver or poor clutching.
I have well over 1000 miles on a Turbo RZR belt and the belt is still good, whereas I have killed a belt in less than 200 miles while tuning the clutching.

Good point ...........keeping the RPM up a little will keep the belt off the one way bearing.

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