Ditching the Drag: Your Ultimate Guide to Can-Am Commander Belt Removal
Okay, let's be real for a second. Few things can put a damper on a perfectly planned ride day quite like the thought of a blown CVT belt on your Can-Am Commander. Or maybe you're just looking to upgrade, or simply performing some overdue maintenance. Whatever the reason, the idea of diving into your Commander's clutch housing might feel a little intimidating at first. Trust me, I get it. It's got a bit of a reputation, but honestly? It's totally doable, and with a bit of patience and the right tools, you'll be swapping that belt out like a seasoned pro.
Consider this your friendly, no-nonsense guide to Can Am Commander belt removal. We're not aiming for textbook formality here; think of this as me chatting you through it over a cold drink in the garage. You've got this, and by the time we're done, you'll be wondering why you ever stressed about it in the first place.
Why Bother with Your Can-Am Commander Belt Anyway?
Before we get our hands dirty, let's quickly touch on why you might be reading this. Your Commander's CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) belt is essentially the heart of its drivetrain. It connects your engine's primary clutch to the transmission's secondary clutch, transferring all that glorious power to the wheels. Over time, these belts wear out. They can fray, stretch, slip, or, in a worst-case scenario, completely shred themselves into a fibrous mess inside your clutch housing.
Common reasons for a belt swap include: * Preventative Maintenance: Swapping it out before it fails is always a good idea, especially if you're heading out on a long trip. * Performance Upgrade: Different belts (like heavy-duty or specific aftermarket options) can offer better durability, less slippage, or optimized performance for certain riding conditions (think mudding vs. trail riding). * It Died: Well, that's self-explanatory, isn't it? If your Commander suddenly sounds like it's trying to chew rocks and won't move, chances are the belt gave up the ghost. * Slippage: If you feel a loss of power or hear a squealing noise under acceleration, your belt might be slipping, indicating it's time for a change.
Keeping your belt in good shape is crucial for both the longevity of your machine and your peace of mind on the trails.
What You'll Need: Gathering Your Tools & Supplies
Alright, before we even think about touching the Commander, let's get our arsenal ready. Having everything at hand prevents those annoying mid-job pauses where you're rummaging through toolboxes.
Here's a general rundown of what you'll want to have on standby:
- Your New Belt: Obviously! Make sure it's the correct one for your Commander model year. OEM is always a safe bet, but there are excellent aftermarket options too.
- Belt Removal Tool: This is a crucial one. Can-Am makes a specific tool that threads into the secondary clutch to spread the sheaves, making belt removal a cinch. If you don't have the official tool, a standard 8mm x 1.25 bolt (about 2-3 inches long) can work in a pinch – just be careful.
- Socket Set: You'll definitely need a few, likely 10mm, 13mm, 15mm, and 18mm for the clutch cover bolts and potentially other fasteners.
- Ratchet & Extension: Goes hand-in-hand with the sockets.
- Torque Wrench: Don't skip this when putting things back together! Proper torque is vital for the clutch cover and any other bolts you loosen. Check your service manual for specs.
- Pliers: Handy for various bits and bobs.
- Shop Rags & Cleaner: You'll want to clean any dust and debris from inside the clutch housing and off the clutch faces. Compressed air is fantastic for this too.
- Safety Glasses & Gloves: Always a good idea when dealing with moving parts and potentially greasy components.
- Magnetic Tray: For keeping track of all those little bolts – seriously, this is a lifesaver.
Having these laid out and ready will make the whole process smoother, I promise.
Prepping Your Commander for Surgery
Before you start wrenching, a little preparation goes a long way.
- Safety First: Park your Commander on a level surface. Engage the parking brake. Shift into neutral. This isn't just a suggestion; it's a non-negotiable safety step.
- Let it Cool: Your engine and clutches can get seriously hot during operation. Give your Commander some time to cool down. Hot metal and knuckles don't mix well. Plus, a hot belt is more pliable and can actually be harder to remove.
- Access the Clutch Cover: The CVT clutch cover is usually on the driver's side of the vehicle, often behind the left rear wheel well or under a removable panel. You'll see a series of bolts holding it in place. Carefully remove all these bolts (and remember that magnetic tray!). Once all the bolts are out, gently pry the cover off. Be mindful of the rubber gasket or seal – you want to keep that intact if possible, as it helps keep water and dust out. Some models might have a drain plug; check your manual.
Now that the cover's off, you'll see the two main clutches and the belt connecting them. The one closer to the engine is the primary clutch, and the one closer to the transmission is the secondary clutch.
The Main Event: Can-Am Commander Belt Removal (Step-by-Step)
This is where the magic happens!
Relaxing the Secondary Clutch
This is the key to getting the belt off easily. The secondary clutch has two "sheaves" (the two halves of the clutch that the belt rides between) that are spring-loaded to press against the belt. We need to spread them apart.
- Locate the Threaded Hole: On the face of the secondary clutch, you'll see a small threaded hole. This is where your belt removal tool (or 8mm bolt) comes in.
- Insert the Tool: Thread your belt removal tool or bolt into this hole. As you tighten it, it will push against the center of the secondary clutch, effectively spreading the sheaves apart. Don't go crazy here; just enough to open them up.
- Rotate and Release: With the sheaves spread, push the belt deeper into the secondary clutch. Now, while holding the belt in that deeper position, rotate the secondary clutch forward. This will pull the slack of the belt down into the spread sheaves, making it much looser on the primary clutch.
- Slip it Off: Once the belt is riding low in the secondary, you should be able to easily slip it off the secondary clutch and then wiggle it free from the primary clutch. Congrats, the old belt is out!
Getting the Belt Off the Primary Clutch
Once it's loose from the secondary, the primary clutch is usually pretty straightforward. Just work the belt over the outer edge of the primary clutch. Sometimes a little jiggle is needed, but it should come right off.
Cleaning Up
With the old belt out, now is the perfect time for a bit of housekeeping. Use compressed air to blow out any dust, debris, or belt residue from inside the clutch housing and, most importantly, off the clutch faces themselves. You can also wipe down the clutch faces with a clean rag. Some folks use a mild degreaser, but make sure it evaporates completely and leaves no residue. A clean clutch system is vital for the new belt's performance and longevity.
Installing Your Shiny New Belt
Now for the reverse process, getting that fresh belt seated properly.
Primary Clutch First
- Orientation Matters: Check your new belt for any directional arrows. If present, make sure they point in the direction of forward rotation (usually clockwise when viewed from the clutch side). If there are no arrows, it typically doesn't matter.
- Seat on Primary: Start by positioning the new belt onto the primary clutch. Make sure it's sitting squarely on the primary's sheaves.
Secondary Clutch – The Tricky Part (But You Got This!)
This is where you'll use that belt removal tool again.
- Spread 'Em: Thread your belt removal tool or 8mm bolt back into the secondary clutch to spread the sheaves.
- Work it In: While the sheaves are spread, work the belt over the top of the secondary clutch. It can be a little snug, but gently guide it on.
- Draw it Down: Once the belt is over the secondary, rotate the secondary clutch forward while keeping the belt pushed down into the spread sheaves. As you rotate, the belt will be drawn deeper into the clutch, becoming nice and loose on the primary clutch side.
- Remove Tool: Once the belt is seated properly, unthread and remove your belt removal tool. The secondary clutch will now spring back, gripping the belt.
Double Check & Close Up
Give both clutches a spin by hand to make sure the belt is running true and everything feels right. Now, it's time to seal things up.
- Clean Gasket Surface: Make sure the gasket mating surfaces on both the cover and the housing are clean.
- Reinstall Cover: Carefully place the clutch cover back on, ensuring the gasket is properly seated.
- Torque it Down: Reinstall all the clutch cover bolts. This is where your torque wrench comes in. Look up the specific torque values for your Commander in your service manual and tighten the bolts in a crisscross pattern to the specified torque. Over-tightening can crack the housing, and under-tightening can lead to leaks.
Break-In and First Ride Considerations
You're almost done, but there's one more crucial step: breaking in your new belt. This isn't just some old wives' tale; it actually helps the belt seat properly and extends its life.
For the first 10-20 miles (some say up to 30), ride gently. Avoid: * Aggressive acceleration. * Sustained high RPMs. * Heavy loads or towing. * Lots of high-speed cruising in one gear ratio.
Vary your speed and RPMs. Let the belt heat cycle a few times. You might notice a slight burning smell at first, which is usually normal as the belt's coating wears off. However, if it's excessive or persists, pull over and check things out.
You Did It!
And there you have it! You've successfully performed a Can Am Commander belt removal and replacement. You saved yourself some shop fees, learned a ton about your machine, and gained some serious bragging rights. Now you know that this seemingly daunting task is actually quite manageable.
So, next time your Commander throws you a curveball, remember this experience. You're more capable than you think. Now go hit those trails with confidence, knowing you've got a fresh, properly installed belt ready to tackle whatever comes its way!