CVT belt alignment is a big deal. Checking side to side alignment is easy and can help ensure you are getting the most belt life and performance from your vehicle. A belt off to one side will be more likely to slip, create belt heat, and lose performance. The biggest issue on some UTV models is the lack of ability to adjust your belt alignment. P90X clutches found on new Body style ranger models, Pro XP models, RZR Pro R, Turbo R and 2021 RZR turbo models give you some adjustment (see specific post on those models), but others like the XP1000, 2016-2020 Turbo, and Can AM X3 models give you no adjustment. On those models we normally remove the primary clutch, cleaning the clutch/crankshaft taper with brake clean, then torque the bolt back to spec. If need be, you can slightly play with bolt torque to move the clutch further in toward the engine (more torque) or less torque(no less than 10ft-lbs than OEM spec) to keep it further away from the engine. Most RZR bolts are good for another 20-30ft-lbs over factory torque. Can Am X3’s have a weaker bolt, and we’d not suggest any higher torque over factory. See below on the best way we’ve found to check alignment quickly.
Belt Alignment: Can cause hard shifting, squealing, belt slip, belt heat:
– Remove the plastic clutch cover
– Check alignment by using a cell phone camera. You can take pictures, but we find it easier to look at your camera screen while moving the phone back and forth from one side of the belt to the other, comparing the gap size on either side of the belt.
