If you’ve gone from leading the pack to struggling to keep up, a failing drive belt could be the culprit. Check for these telltale signs that your drive belt needs replacing:
Still aren’t sure that the belt is the issue? Check out our guide on how to tell if your drive belt needs to be replaced. And if the drive belt is the problem, you’re in the right place to learn how to change it. Let’s dive in!
Before you do any work, make sure you’re prepared. First, you’ll need a high-quality replacement (like the belts you can find at SuperATV) and all the necessary tools for the job, including:
In addition to the tools and replacement belt, you’ll want a clean, level surface to work on and the battery should be disconnected before you get to work. If you are changing your drive belt on the trail, try to find as level and secure a surface as possible to work on.
If you are changing the drive belt in the shop rather than on the trails, the replacement process will be easier if you jack up your rig and remove the wheel—especially for UTVs.
Locate the clutch cover that protects the whole drive belt system. For most side-by-sides, the cover is on the side of the engine bay and is large enough that it can be accessed easily after the tire is removed. To change an ATV’s drive belt, you may need to remove the seat or body panels to access the cover.
Remove all the bolts from the cover and store them in a safe place where you won’t lose them. Clean up the area around the drive belt to keep debris out.
Loosening the old belt is the next step, so grab your clutch spreader tool or clutch removal tool that can be used to rotate the secondary clutch. Whichever tool works best for your machine, use it to create slack in the current belt. If you have an ATV, you could be working with limited space, so the tools you need may require extensions and the angles that you’re working at can be more difficult. For UTVs, you should have easier access and space for leverage to work, but be sure to check if your make and model require a clutch compression tool to relieve the tension.
Once the drive belt’s tension has been relieved, carefully slide it off the primary and secondary clutches. This should be relatively simple for UTVs, since they have larger spaces to work with, but removing an ATV belt can be a longer and more tedious process. After the belt is removed, clean the interior of the clutch housing to remove debris and buildup.
Place the belt on the primary clutch and roll it onto the secondary clutch—be sure the directional arrows on the belt are facing the front of your machine! Rotate the clutches by hand to ensure it seats properly. If you have an ATV, you may need to manually rotate the clutches more to get the belt to slide into place. Once the belt is seated, remove the clutch removal tool if you used one.
Once the new belt is properly aligned and seated, reinstall the clutch cover and tighten all bolts. ALWAYS tighten back to factory torque specs, which can be found in the owner’s manual. This is especially important to remember when working in the more compact housing areas of ATVs, where overtightening is more common.
Hook the battery back up and turn on the engine. Let your rig idle in neutral to ensure your belt is operating. If everything seems to be working well, go on a short, low-speed test ride to make sure the belt is responsive and engages properly.
Once the belt is installed and your test ride is done, check for loose bolts to be sure that it is still aligned correctly. If everything looks good, you’re good to go—but avoid towing or aggressive acceleration for roughly the first 30 miles of riding. If you’re looking for more in-depth tips about breaking in your drive belt, check out SuperATV’s drive belt break-in guide.
One of the last things anyone wants is a clutch belt to snap while out riding. Proactive and preventative routine maintenance, as well as keeping an eye out for signs of a failing drive belt, can go a long way to ensuring your rig’s drive belt is always in tip-top shape. And if you are heading out on remote rides, it never hurts to have a heavy-duty spare belt or two on hand in case of a freak belt break.
If you have any questions about how to change the drive belt of your UTV or ATV, or if you want pointers on finding the best replacement for your rig, don’t hesitate to reach out or drop a comment down below!
2 Comments
Do you have a cvt belt for a Kubota GX 850 side kick
Hey John,
Unfortunately, we don’t offer a belt for your machine.