How To Change A Belt On A 2001 Summit

[kgracey]

Hey guys,

I have purchased a 2001 Summit 700 151" sled with about 1300 miles on it. I'm not sure if the belt is original, but today I noticed that about a couple of inches are missing from the outside and it is looking battered, so I will replace it.

How do I change the belt? When you answer, please use some additional hints for me like the "bigger wheel" when making references to what part I'm going to loosen and tighten to replace the belt. I'm still learning all the parts and terminology.

Thanks a bunch!

Ken

[akheloce]

If you still have your factory tool kit, take out the piece that looks like a bolt with a fold out handle (looks kinda like a folding knife with a threaded rod as the blade). Now, on the secondary clutch (big wheel), look for a threaded hole near the center of the wheel... there will be some other bolts around the center, and an empty hole that doesnt look like it belongs there, thats what you want. now, thread the tool into that hole and the big wheel will open up, loosening the tension on the belt. Get it screwed in far enough, and slide the belt off the big wheel first, then the little wheel in front... installation is the reverse of removal.

Note, the factory tool kit should be located aft of the belt guard, held down by a rubber strap.

[kgracey]

Thanks so far for the help.

Here is where I am.

I found the tool you mentioned, and used it to loosen up the secondary clutch. Then I took the belt off and put a new one on. However, when I went to tighten the secondary clutch I had no luck - the screw was already recessed into the "loose" position.

Is there a separate screw that tightens the secondary clutch back up? Is it the same threaded hole as the one I used to loosen the clutch?

It seems that the screw needs to be backed out, but all I can do is tighten it more which causes the secondary clutch to continue to loosen.

Thanks,

Ken

[permafrost]

kgracey, All you need to doo now is loosen it off, I hope to god that you did not strip the threads. After backing it off, raise the back of the sled off the ground with a sled lift or similar device. Then turn the secondary clutch by hand counterclockwise until the belt grooves are just above the top of the clutch.

[Droptop]

that happened to me once...

just work the belt by moving it up and down so there is no gap in the "big wheel"

you want the "big wheel" to tighten back up, but the belt is wedged so it is holding it apart

[kgracey]

Permafrost et al-

Nope, didn't strip any screws. I know when to stop!

Now I understand. Did exactly what you told me and now I can do this easily. I understand the drive mechanism much better.

Thanks for the support - this group is really awesome. You guys are of tremendous value to a newcomer like myself!

Ken