0950956 XLT RMK (1995). clutch - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

stumpster · 10-09-2008, 06:36 PM

First let me say I haven't been on a sled in 15 years so

I am new to all this... I have a mechanical background with bikes and cars so I figure with some help I can figure it out.
OK, all he said is that it needs a clutch and to start it you need to pry it away, this tells me it the primary? When I turned it over the belt stay lose in the primary but not the secondary, but I haven't started it yet to see if it engages early? So my question is where can I learn more about the operation of these clutches so I can troubleshoot and where is the best place to find parts?

Where do I start?

The sled was free so if nothing else its a learning experience!

BC_Dan · 10-10-2008, 02:47 AM

Get a Clymer manual for the Polaris sleds, they make one that goes from 1990 to 1995. It may not cover all the stuff for your sled, but it has a lot of good info on how clutches work, how carbs work, how sleds work.

Until you get a book, the front clutch has movable sheaves. There are weights that engage rollers. As the clutch spins with engine RPM, the weights have more centrifugal force. The centrifugal force causes the weights to push on the rollers which tries to push the sheaves together. This force is countered by the force of the spring inside the primary. When the force of the spinning weights overcomes the force of the spring, the sheaves move together and engage the sides of the belt. The belt is already engaged by the rear (secondary) clutch, so that clutch starts to rotate as the primary moves the belt, which rotates the jackshaft. On the opposite end of the jackshaft there is a chaincase that contains two sprockets and a chain. The top sprocket starts moving with the jackshaft and the movement is transferred to the bottom sprocket by the chain. The bottom sprocket is attached to the driveline which has drivers on the inside of the track and that is what makes the track turn. <whew>

Most problems with clutches that are not working are due to lack of maintenance. Start by blowing the clutches out with compressed air and then clean 'em with soap and water. Use no lubrication, they are designed to work dry.

Eventually, you will need a clutch puller (which is a bolt-like device that threads into the outer part of the clutch and pushes on the end of the crank. When you turn the bolt (puller), it pushes the clutch off the tapered end. With the clutch on the bench, it's easier to examine for worn parts and easier to clean.

A book specific to clutches is Olaf Aaen's "Clutch Tuning Handbook". It has more info than you can absorb in 5 readings. If you really want to understand the principles, get it.

mrholmquist · 10-10-2008, 08:45 AM

here is a link where you can download a Polaris clutch manual

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