1997 Sportsmans 500 - drive belt pulley grinding on housing

[Deerslayer 10]

The drive belt pulley has been grinding against the belt housing for quite some time (long time). I was able to adjust the bracket at the bottom of the housing to keep it from grinding under normal operation but under high torque conditions it grinds and especially during shutdown of the engine. I have been unable to find a spot in the adjustments that works for all operation. Has anyone else dealt with this? I am thinking that there might be something amiss in the engine mounts or something. Any help would be appreciated!

[MIKEL5469 10]

is your belt just worn out and need to be replaced?,maybe the drive belt is just stretched out and slapping the case under high torque

[Deerslayer 10]

Mike, thanks for the response. The belt has very little time on it and is in good shape. You can see where the drive pulley is hitting the housing and causing the grinding noise. I can loosen the alignment bracket underneath the housing and it will cause the pulley to hit the housing continously. I bought the sportsman new in Oct 98 and have just under a 1000 hrs on it with virtually no trouble other than a couple electrical issues and this issue which I just have put up with over the last few years. it is mostly annoying and does not cause any performance issues. Still runs like a champ!

[swampcat07 10]

I'm not a Polaris expert but I know that a lot of brands have bearings where the drive shafts go through the case. I would check to make sure all of those bearings are in good condition.

[Deerslayer 10]

Thanks Swamp Cat! Will check those bearings

[Tinkerman 11]

I see allot of the belt covers shrink with age or after getting hot you might pull it off and heat it up where its rubbin with a heat gun I use a spoon lookin tool to push it back out. sometimes its to far gone and has to be replaced they are about 120.00 new.... Polarisatvrepiar.com Good luck, Todd