Quick drive belt catastrophic failure

[geo]

Just a thought here but maybe they followed the instructions ('cause they installed it and paid for it) and gave more attention during break-in. You know, checking tension often on the first few rides (giving it a chance to cool), proper warm up, checking bolt torque, etc.
And most geared down putting less work through the belt. And it came with a "'14" belt to start (more heat tolerant).

One thing for sure, without a tensioner the break-in is more critical on the QD but the '14s seem to be doing good with the belt and bolt change.

 

[Ballofixen]

Myself stripped 3 stock belts from cogs last year despite 2 of them were broke in as Polaris describes, they did´t seem to hold up for shock loads, hopefully the -14 belt is stronger but my confidence in Polaris construction was consumed so I went the Tki way instead, winter will show if it was the right way to go.

One of the bigger benefits except the gear down possibility is that (at least Tki) have no instructions saying you need to run 160 km or so to break it in. Even so I do think a shorter break in is to prefer.

 

[sledheadd]

After blowing 2 belts last season I babied the third one which also blew. 3 blown stock belts in less then 700 miles. I then installed a C3 belt drive and ran it hard for over 600 miles on the same belt with out any problems I don't even think about it now.

 

[winter brew]

Just an observation.....after installing several TKI drives and getting a feel for what tension these belts like (TKI uses Gates polychain), and talking with Tom and several guys that have put thousands of miles on belt drives, the hardest thing on a belt is running it too tight. It will get hot and come apart. The tension on the Polaris drive would be considered far too tight by aftermarket drive standards. I think the fact that many guys are simply adding the TKI with a tensioner and not having any more failures reinforces the possibility that polaris is just running the belt too tight. So they come up with a more heat resistant belt on a drive that should not create much heat....the heat from the can or a turbo is another story.

 

[OuraySledder]

Having the brake on the jackshaft right next to the already stressed upper pulley was a stupid design choice at best. Clearly this adds more heat to an already hot part in contact with a plastic belt that fails when there is too much heat. I am just amazed at those trying to make excuses for a bad design because, that is what it is.

That said, I am on my second QD belt, a carefully broken in '13 version. I carry the spare '14 belt in the truck now, just in case. I had 150 miles on the first one when it blew, I have over 200 on the current one, knock on wood. If this one fails I will install the '14 belt and order up the TKI drive shortly therafter to SOLVE the problem.

If the belt on ther makes it though the season great, I am willing to give it a chance. To try and deny Polaris screwed this up is ludicrous, the excuse makers crack me up.

 

[Screedman]

I have a 13 pro bought this year (holdover) I have 140 miles on it now. Went easy the first 100 miles. The belt looks like it's splitting or delaminating. I can see the fibers coming out of the cracks. I'm going to see what the dealers says this week.

 

[rowe]

I have close to 4000kms on my original 2013 belt and its still going strong,hope i get the rest of the winter out of it haha!

 

[OuraySledder]

I have close to 4000kms on my original 2013 belt and its still going strong,hope i get the rest of the winter out of it haha!

Should be no problem... just stick with your trail riding regimen. 4000km????

 

[OuraySledder]

I have a 13 pro bought this year (holdover) I have 140 miles on it now. Went easy the first 100 miles. The belt looks like it's splitting or delaminating. I can see the fibers coming out of the cracks. I'm going to see what the dealers says this week.

They should cover it and give you the updated belt. Just make SURE you are getting the updated part number for the '14s. Mine took 4 teeth off at 150 miles. I didn't break it in as gently as maybe I should have. I did a full break in on the second one, another '13 version and now have almost 350 miles on that one.

The most recent issue was the clutch belt pulling a cord at 450 miles... That one is $185 too. I think I am going to pick up the half price Cat belt that fits and carry it as a spare. Then some "Geo" clutch alignment work.

You should make sure the QD plate is tight to the tunnel. Some had glue and/or install issues that cause misalignment and excess belt heat. Also pull the secondary and make sure the driveshaft bearing is spinning with the shaft, not the shaft in the race.

 

[freak485]

That sucks!

Really like my chaincase

 

[sledneck_03]

really like my 2014 belt drive.

 

[Screedman]

Just to follow up on my splitting Qd belt. I took it into the dealer today they warrantied it and told me not to bother breakin in the new 14 belt. They feel pretty confident in them. So game on

 

[rowe]

Should be no problem... just stick with your trail riding regimen. 4000km????

Yep,around 4050kms on it now,i broke it in as per the polaris manual. First 300km were with the stock can,after that i had a bikeman powderlite on it,paid extra for the ceramic coated version to keep the heat levels in the quickdrive area lower. really pleased with it so far....if it makes it til the end of this winter i will put a 2014 belt on over the summer just to be safe,manual says to change them every 3200km