2011 RZR 4 800 EPS - Drivetrain Issue

mayobeach2000 · 2025-09-24T13:09:19-0400

Hello, I am really hoping someone can help and I will try to explain the issue to the best of my capabilities.

I have a 2011 RXR 4 800 EPS. 2 months ago I was driving down a trail when all of a sudden, the wheels "locked up" which brought me to a complete stop (wasn't going very fast 10 MPH). It would no longer move forward. I put it back in Park, then back in drive, it move forward a few feet and then locked up again. I had the drive belt changed, but the issue was not resolved.

Reverse still works fine, it's only doing this in H or L.

The engine doesn't die or seem to run weird. It's really only when I drive forward that this seems to occur. Do I need a new transmission or is this issue related to something else?

I asked ChatGPT, here is there possible conclusions. But I'd like your opinions as well.

Transmission Forward Gear Set
- Even if teeth aren’t broken, a worn shift fork or slightly damaged forward gear can cause it to jam under forward load but not in reverse.
- Forward and reverse in your RZR use different gear paths, so one can fail while the other is fine.
Rear Gearcase / Ring & Pinion
- Sometimes a ring gear or pinion has a spot that binds under load in one direction.
- Reverse loads the opposite side of the teeth → it feels fine. Forward loads the damaged side → it binds.

Thanks!

MNichols · 2025-09-24T13:42:45-0400

lol, a chatbot... Yeah, here's the deal.. You need to get your machine up in the air, remove the belt, then with it in either H or L, try rotating the driven clutch and see if the wheels move.. If your trans is working properly, the back wheels should spin with the driven clutch..

I don't know about your rzr in particular, but they don't have a rear differential as such, so there's no ring and pinon on the back to contend with..

In the event spinning the wheels up in the air still locks up, I'd check that your shift cable isn't kinked, worn or otherwise not working properly. I'd suggest taking the cable off the operator lever, and try manually shifting the trans, it's a chance you could be locked between gears if the cable or shifter is FUBAR..

Last thing I can tell ya, that's related to your problem is, the transmissions aren't daunting to repair, we have a lot of members here that have done it multiple times, I just did a gear reduction on one of mine, and it was a piece of cake, but the one thing you absolutely must have, is a solid, top end set of snap ring pliers..

Hope this helps ya out

Clothier · 2025-09-24T20:17:04-0400

MNichols said:
lol, a chatbot... Yeah, here's the deal.. You need to get your machine up in the air, remove the belt, then with it in either H or L, try rotating the driven clutch and see if the wheels move.. If your trans is working properly, the back wheels should spin with the driven clutch..

I don't know about your rzr in particular, but they don't have a rear differential as such, so there's no ring and pinon on the back to contend with..

In the event spinning the wheels up in the air still locks up, I'd check that your shift cable isn't kinked, worn or otherwise not working properly. I'd suggest taking the cable off the operator lever, and try manually shifting the trans, it's a chance you could be locked between gears if the cable or shifter is FUBAR..

Last thing I can tell ya, that's related to your problem is, the transmissions aren't daunting to repair, we have a lot of members here that have done it multiple times, I just did a gear reduction on one of mine, and it was a piece of cake, but the one thing you absolutely must have, is a solid, top end set of snap ring pliers..

Hope this helps ya out

Yea the ole 800's have a separate rear diff. And sometimes the pinion nut backs off and grenades the diff...ask me how I know...

scubadnv · 2025-09-24T20:13:17-0400

Happened to me but copious amounts of oil leaking from a gaping hole in the diff. 5mph not a sound.

Clothier · 2025-09-24T20:18:39-0400

My question is does it make weird noises while moving in reverse? I mean this could be something as simple as a brake pad getting caught, or it could be the rear diff or transmission.

2011 RZR 4 800 EPS - Drivetrain Issue

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