Polaris Ranger Worn Belt Symptoms- (Causes and Solution)

A few common Polaris Ranger worn belt symptoms are the noise from the belt and the loss of performance on both ends. Also, clutch problems, cracked belt ribs, and engine overheating also occur due to the worn belt.

Sometimes, you can identify a worn belt by observing those symptoms without even checking the belt. Hence, we are going to show some symptoms and will explain these in detail. Thus, we’ll also discuss some solutions. Stay with us till the last letter of the article if you own or want to buy an off-roader vehicle.

Table: Polaris Ranger Worn Belt Symptoms

This table clears out the confusion about how to tell if the Polaris Ranger belt is bad and why it happens.

Things to Do When You Found Polaris Ranger Worn Belt Symptoms

Here are some of the things you can do when you face these symptoms

1. Cracking the Ribs

Cracking the ribs of a drive belt is one of the common problems of every serpentine belt. The cracks are small in size but can spread all over the belt. Usually, these small cracks begin at the rib’s top and slowly grow to the line of the cord.

Solution

• If the cracks grow up to 2 cm, you have to replace the belt. Growing the cracks 2 cm means 80-85% of the belt’s life is gone.
• While replacing the belt, make sure that the belt withstands high temperatures.
• Make sure all the pulleys are in good condition.

2. The Noise of the Belt

Belt noise is the most common symptom that will appear at the very first if the drive belt is worn out. If the belt is worn out, the belt starts to make unusual sounds like squealing or squeaking and chirping. Though the noises of the belt aren’t a big issue, it is a warning that you should check the belt or the pulleys.

• Chirping: A chirping sound is a string of rapid pulses. Acceleration causes a rise in engine speed, but the loudness and pitch of the chirp don’t change
• Squealing: This sound refers to high-pitched shrieking. That is the loudness increases with the increase in the engine speed. But at the same time, the pitch remains constant

Solutions

• Check and ensure the alignment of the pulleys is in parallel. You can use a laser alignment tool to fix this problem.
• Check and ensure that the tensioner is freely moving.
• If you see some serious issues, the replacement of the belt is needed.

Here is the procedure to remove the belt with a diagram,

Step 1: Remove the rear wheel on the left.

Step 2: 3 bolts holding the airbox. Remove all of them.

Step 3: A zerk fitting is present above the A-arm forward mounting bolt. Remove this.

Step 4: Pull the clutch cover.

Step 5: Pull out the drive belt from the bottom of the clutch. Rotate it counterclockwise. Then Insert the drive belt.

Step 6: Next, bend the drive belt and check it; if you inspect any signs of wear, remove it.

Here is a YouTube video that will help you to replace the belt.

3. Loss of Performance

A worn belt comes with a big issue and it is the performance loss of your vehicle. Some accessories of the vehicle are connected to the drive belt and are powered by the belt. They are air conditioning compressor alternators, power steering, and water pump.

This Performance loss can appear in many ways. Below we mention some signs of performance loss,

• The air conditioning system is not working properly. Sometimes it fails.
• Sometimes, the vehicle may overheat.
• Failure of Power steering.
• The battery fails to recharge.
• Dimmed headlights.
• The engine fails to start.
• The water pump stops working.

Solution

• Check the drive belt immediately after the vehicle is overheated. Although overheating may be caused by another issue, there is a high chance that the worn belt is the reason for this.
• If the belt is worn out fully, you must have to change the belt and install a new one.
• Check if the belt loses tension.

4. Engine Overheating

A damaged, torn, or worn drive belt can cause overheating of the engine. You can feel overheating while driving the vehicle.

Solutions

There is no specific solution to this problem. Overheating problems come for many reasons. If there is any defect on the drive belt, it has to be replaced with a new one. You have to make sure that the new belt is properly tensioned and that the pulleys are not misaligned.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we will discuss and answer some frequently asked questions.

Q: How Long Does A Polaris Ranger Belt Last?

Polaris ranger belt life is 1500-2000 miles. But it needs to be replaced after 500 miles for better safety.

Q: What Does A Worn Polaris Ranger Belt Sound Like?

If the belt wears out, it makes unusual sounds. The Polaris Ranger belt sounds squeaking and chirping.

Conclusion

The Polaris Ranger drive belt is strong enough and lasts very long. But sometimes the belt is worn and damaged for many reasons. When any defects are shown in the belt, you’ll come across Polaris Ranger worn belt symptoms.

In this article, we mentioned the overall symptoms and the solutions to these issues. If you want better suggestions, you can visit or seek help from mechanics.

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Mark Williams

Founder and Author at Theautomobily

Mark Williams is the founder and author of Theautomobily located in Tucson, AZ. As a Mechanical Engineer,He has 15 years of experience in the automobile industry. Mark's deep understanding of various types of vehicles such as UTVs, ATVs, cars, Trucks, and lawnmowers which allows him to provide valuable insights and information.

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