Belt alignment

[stmike 1800]

I have viewed lots of videos on belt alignment ,and no one mentions looking for clearance for the belt on the front pulley. I get a burnt belt smell ,and the belt is tight to the front left flange .I cannot move the belt over as the rear pulley has 2mm clearance on the right flange .The owners manual says belt should never be against a front flange .To me the motor has to go to the left,or the rear wheel has to go to the right .
The bike is a 2018 RTL with close to 10000 km,and has been to the dealer several times for belt related problems .:banghead:

 

[papanorm]

I would agree that something is out of whack. Have you opened a case with BRP?

 

[PMK]

As you likely know from reading your owners guide, the 2018 per the manual, the belt is not allowed to touch either front flange. Not sure where the 2mm you mention came from.

On the 2014 RT series, the owners guide allowed the belt to contact one pulley flange, but required a bit of math and measuring to validate the belt tracking position. With little effort, I was able to get our 2014 belt to track essentially on the center of the front pulley and have no belt rub on the rear pulley flange.

Either your shop is not accomplishing the task correctly, possibly your engine is not aligned properly, or if you installed a tensione, maybe the tensior is guiding the belt into poor alignment.

If it matters, no tensioning device on our 2014 and runs the lower belt tension per the TSB to avoid vibrations.

 

[JayBros]

Papanorm is in the bulls-eye. Have your dealer open a case with BRP. Should they give you gas about doing so, contact BRP Care yourself at [email protected], explain the situation and ask them to open a case for you.

 

[Sarge707]

When I brought my F3 down to 125 on the cricket vibration went away and its exactly in the center of the front sprocket and against the right side in the rear. Center on the front sprocket means even pressure on the shaft.

 

[stmike 1800]

I would agree that something is out of whack. Have you opened a case with BRP?

Yes i have a open case file.

 

[stmike 1800]

As you likely know from reading your owners guide, the 2018 per the manual, the belt is not allowed to touch either front flange. Not sure where the 2mm you mention came from.

On the 2014 RT series, the owners guide allowed the belt to contact one pulley flange, but required a bit of math and measuring to validate the belt tracking position. With little effort, I was able to get our 2014 belt to track essentially on the center of the front pulley and have no belt rub on the rear pulley flange.

Either your shop is not accomplishing the task correctly, possibly your engine is not aligned properly, or if you installed a tensione, maybe the tensior is guiding the belt into poor alignment.

If it matters, no tensioning device on our 2014 and runs the lower belt tension per the TSB to avoid vibrations.

The 2mm is the rear pulley . And i see no way to get the belt in the middle of the front pulley. The tension is 220 lbs.

 

[PMK]

The 2mm is the rear pulley . And i see no way to get the belt in the middle of the front pulley. The tension is 220 lbs.

Understand 2mm is rear pulley flange to belt. Why is it not viable to run say 3mm and move the belt inboard on the front pulley?

 

[cdakers]

When I brought my F3 down to 125 on the cricket vibration went away and its exactly in the center of the front sprocket and against the right side in the rear. Center on the front sprocket means even pressure on the shaft.

Where on the belt do we place the Krikit device?

 

[Sarge707]

Where on the belt do we place the Krikit device?

In the middle and there is a video showing exactly how to use it. I don't have it but you can search. You should research what tension your particular model is supposed to have - Many including the F3 have been lowered WAY down ? Again you may have to search?

 

[canamjhb]

First of all, your dealer has your belt tension WAY too tight. In June 2015 BRP issued a technical service tip revising the belt tensions. (TST61Y014S05) The new belt tension for RTs was set at 630N +/- 100N. That equates to 120-165 LBS. There are many dealers who either don't read or don't remember the proper belt tension. Secondly, and sadly, there are dealers who are not competent enough to be able to properly align and tension drive belts. I have first-hand experience in dealing with idiot, supposedly trained mechanics whose messes I have had to clean up. Good luck with yours. I would keep dealing with BRP to get your bike adjusted correctly either by the dealer you're doing business with or another dealer.

 

[stmike 1800]

Understand 2mm is rear pulley flange to belt. Why is it not viable to run say 3mm and move the belt inboard on the front pulley?

Please explain how ? If i move the rear of the belt to the left will not the front also go left ?

 

[PMK]

Please explain how ? If i move the rear of the belt to the left will not the front also go left ?

No.
You mentioned the belt is tracking against the left flange of the forward pulley. You desire to move the belt to the right. Therefore, the rear axle must be ever so slightly realigned to point the rear wheel to the right. This will slightly walk the belt left on the rear pulley and to the right on the front pulley. The adjustment will be to turn the right side adjuster clockwise and no adjustment on the left.

Currently the rear axle and countershaft are aligned with the rear wheel pointed left slightly, routing the belt to the left on the front.

I do tend to agree the tension is pretty high but that’s between you and the dealer, and the service bulletin.

 

[stmike 1800]

No.
You mentioned the belt is tracking against the left flange of the forward pulley. You desire to move the belt to the right. Therefore, the rear axle must be ever so slightly realigned to point the rear wheel to the right. This will slightly walk the belt left on the rear pulley and to the right on the front pulley. The adjustment will be to turn the right side adjuster clockwise and no adjustment on the left.

Currently the rear axle and countershaft are aligned with the rear wheel pointed left slightly, routing the belt to the left on the front.

I do tend to agree the tension is pretty high but that’s between you and the dealer, and the service bulletin.

I was thinking the same thing last night .It is cold and raining here for the next while, winter is coming. First chance i get i will give it a try.
Thanks for the post .

 

[PMK]

I was thinking the same thing last night .It is cold and raining here for the next while, winter is coming. First chance i get i will give it a try.
Thanks for the post .

Consider, the belt has ever so slightly seated itself into the current track, so it may be difficult to not have it jump into a new position that is too much. May be easier to make a calculated adjustment then ride and see. Say 1/8 turn. If it needs more after say 15 miles, and you must roll to a stop going straight and forward to see accurately where it tracks, then adjust again.

Additionally, possibly the most difficult part is to ensure the axle and adjusters do not shift when the axle nut is tightened. This gives people fits.

 

[stmike 1800]

Got the belt right were i wanted it , middle front pulley ,just off flange on the rear and 160 lbs .Now i need a long ride to make sure it stays there ,and no vibrations. Thanks guys for the help.:thumbup:

BTW this is with a new belt.

 

[PMK]

Got the belt right were i wanted it , middle front pulley ,just off flange on the rear and 160 lbs .Now i need a long ride to make sure it stays there ,and no vibrations. Thanks guys for the help.:thumbup:

BTW this is with a new belt.

I certainly like seeing the lower belt tension. We run just over 140.

Guessing you sorted out the left side tensions, the right side tracks, and found the rear pulley kind of steers the belt where you want it on the front. A bit oversimplifying it but kind of how it is.

 

[canamjhb]

Thank you for the update. Please let us know how it responds. I think what you did was the right thing but we need to know the results. Thanks.....

 

[stmike 1800]

Hope to get some miles on the bike soon,but the weather does not look good .

 

[Sarge707]

Hope to get some miles on the bike soon,but the weather does not look good .

If it tracks well- I would go down to 130 + - as my F3 runs real good with the lower tension and less pressure on the front sprocket and bearings- They did the bulletin for a Reason?