Clutching - Shims and Belts

[RedPhazer]

Hello Guys,

I have a question regarding removing the shim(s) in my clutch. First off, let me say that I have no experience with snowmobile clutches. I was doing some reading and I understand that as the belt wears it gets narrower and rides lower in the clutch causing for a lower gearing/top speed. If I inderstand correctly, you can remove a shim from the clutch to correct the gearing for a worn belt. I'm not sure where the belt should ride, as I think I've read either 1/8" below or flush with the clutch.

Anyhow, this finally gets me to my question. If I'm looking for every bit of top speed out of my sled, is it safe to remove the shim(s) with a new belt? Or, is this going to cause the belt to be too tight and cause the sled to creep?

Oh ya, one last bit of relevant information. I have the base model so reverse engagement is not going to be an issue for me.

Thanks in advance!
--Tom

 

[zook]

Yes you can remove 1 shim on the clutch. There should be 2 of them in there.

 

[Ricketts]

I'm kind of ignorant on this as well...was Yamaha removing one of these shims to help with the hard to shift into reverse issue?

Thanks,

Rick

 

[zook]

No I dont think so. If you remove a shim it makes you belt tighter. There are 2 stock. I havent had any issues yet with the reverse problem. Does anyone else know what they shim with the reverse kit ??

 

[phazerboost]

The belt should ride in the secondary so that only the ribs on the outside of the belt are showing outside of the sheavs. I also took out one shim from the facory setting. If your belt is worn enough that removing one shim does not let it sit in the sheavs this way I would replace the belt. The shim to fix the reverse problem is in the primary clutch.

 

[phazerboost]

By the way sweet zook

 

[Ricketts]

Thanks for the info, I kept hearing about a shim to fix the reverse issue but wasn't sure what was up...local Canadian dealer is no help whatsoever.

Thanks,

Rick

 

[rhino_live]

shim for the reverse is damned annoying, i'd rather have a tricky reverse then belt squeel any day of the week.

 

[zook]

Phazerboost-- Thanx. Not much Samurai left to it, just the body and the frame. 4.3 Chevy with a th350 trans, Dana 44's,Dana 18 twin stick T-Case , 36" swampas and so on and so on.

 

[BombaPolaYama]

shim for the reverse is damned annoying, i'd rather have a tricky reverse then belt squeel any day of the week.

I also got the belt screech with the shim installed. The dealer told me late last season that Yamaha is trying a different type of belt to try and solve the reverse issue - so I look forward to that this season. And at least I'll get a new belt - can't remember if the shim has to come out or not with the new belt?