Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

  • Don't miss out on all the fun! Register on our forums to post and have added features! Membership levels include a FREE membership tier.

m8 belt issues

Buy an alignment bar, also check to make sure the primary and secondary are both level, and check the CTC. Vents help but are usually just a bandaid for a much larger problem, there are tons of sleds that aren't vented that don't blow that many belts a season.
 
i have the same problem as sledguy98,

i have called around and even asked for advice on the site here, i think i have narrowed it down to having my cluthces checked, i called cutlers and talked with a tech and he said have my cluthces aligned, i didthis, then he said (forget the term he used) their is a tool that will check for the correct alignment when the motor is under load, he said you open the secondary and put this shim in and let the secondary collapse back onto it, then it will show where you aligment is off under load, cant remember what he called this task,

anybody making sense of this,,

sucks my dealer did not do this when i was taking in 6+ belts last year, (which they warrantied) hastle on the mountain and biggest dissappointment was the mess, each one exploded!!!!!!

wish i could remember the term.....
 
If you haven't already gone through both clutches to clean and inspect them VERY VERY closely yet, DO SO! What your looking for is any type of roller problems, flat spots on them or gummed up from belt debris, loose weights or spring bind anywhere.

Look VERY closely at your weights in the primary, looking for them being centered and to not be hitting anything as the swing open. You can check the rollers and weights in the primary for excessive wobble by compressing the clutch in a clutch clamp and wiggle the roller with a small screwdriver/poker, if the roller wobbles on the pin more than a barely visible bit it has to much!

Clean both clutches really well with hot soapy water and rinse REALLY WELL with HOT water. I like to ruff the sheaves up with a brown Scotch pad (brown one is ruffer then the green ones) first then hit the spring area (not the sheaves) with some Simple Green spray and then spray the spring area hard with a garden hose then do the hot soapy water thing and RINSE WELL. Do the same (Scotch pad and soap) to the new belts too!
 
Last edited:
what they said and try a shift assist, after that I'd say it comes down to the rider. If the sled is stock and running correct weights and rpm.
 
Save yourself alot of headaches and buy the tools to verify (for yourself) the clutches are parallel and the offset is correct. Center-to center distance also needs to be checked as well as belt deflection. These items must be spot-on or your wasting your time with clutch kits, vents, etc. As has already been mentioned clean your clutches and belts. Break-in the new belt before you need it! Verify the weights and springs are correct for your altitude, they will be good enough for a starting point.
 
Also.....

You can mount another engine mount near the primary, otherside ofthe bulkhead.....Product tester has made the offset bracket for this and has a few on the shelf...PM him
 
7 belts in 1500....there is something very wrong, alignment would have to be seriouse f'ed up to be that bad. I would just "eyeball" the alignment, the belt should just "kiss" the inner stationary sheave and all belt/sheave clearance should be to the outer sheave. This is plenty close for alignment on ANY sled and clutch combination.

Are you running a junk aftermarket belt? Somehow getting oil or water on clutch? Not uncommon to get snow through gap in plastic or a cracked panel....this will eat belts in a hurry.
Are you running the correct RPM on a climb? If RPM is off 2-300 rpm or more, belt temps will rise drastically. any signs of slipping (black marks)?
 
i have noticed a lot of black marks on the top side of both primary and secondary, i clean the clutches after every ride with soap and water, one thing i have not done is clean the new belt with soap and water and perform the break in on the belt that seems to be in the air, i put em on and run em.

based on the things i am reading on here i will start this winter with breaking in the belts slowly, under 50mph (i am reading) for 20 miles then start another one , let em sit for a day or two before i run them again.

it seems i may be over reving a touch too, if i am hearing correctly the motor is making its power around 7850rpm and i am consistently revving to 8000-8200 at wot

also maybe thier is something to to much weight in the primary, i am not sure what the stock weight is but maybe to much weight is heating up the belt.
after i ride a bit in the mountains i will usually rest a bit and the primary is hot enough to cook steak...

that cant be good..

i have noticed all be it very difficult if i am doing a long session to stay out of wot as much as possible and it seems to not heat up as much, but that is virtual impossible to do nor do i want to do that all the time, its a 2 stroke for heck sake

any takers?

thanks guys..
 
Belts

If your belts are exploding its an over heat issue. Vents will help the most of coarse assuming that your clutch's are aligned. Like on a turbo sled if you over heat the clutches you belts will explode but i did not even go threw that many belts.

PS if your dealer warrantied the belt,s you better love that dealer cat does not warranty belts.



i have the same problem as sledguy98,


sucks my dealer did not do this when i was taking in 6+ belts last year, (which they warrantied) hassle on the mountain and biggest disappointment was the mess, each one exploded!!!!!!

wish i could remember the term.....
 
It's probably more of and alignment issue than anything else! These 800's for the most part and pretty easy on belts. Make sure your running the good cat kevlar as well this helps alot.
 
I know this is old but,,, could it be too high of gearing? This subject has lots of variables. YA,, some on here may have seen my rants about gearing but one thing is consistant with a gear change. Most of those that do this seem to be pleased with the out come..
 
This problem sounds more like a torn motor mount or something along those lines. If everything is lined up when the sled isn't running I would bet the the motor is moving a lot under load.
 
Premium Features



Back
Top