So... I've used my 500 for a ton of heavy work (pushing stuck pontoons off the beach), and I've lost a ton of low end pushing power. I suspected the belt, and after cracking open the belt cover, the belt is running about 1/2 inch below the edge of the driven pulley. Not sure what the specs are, but that is normally bad!
But here is where it gets interesting... I have a new replacement belt, and holding it back to back with the original, it seems like they are identical in width. Is the secondary adjustable? (coming from snowmobiles, the answer is always yes, but not sure about side by sides...)
My other question... how in sweet jesus do you actually replace a belt on a 500?? There is zero chance of the belt cover coming off more than 2 inches or so, it runs into the fuel tank. The fuel tank isn't removable, it is pinned by the frame. About the only option I see is removing drive shafts, removing engine mounts, and lifting and sliding the engine over 2 inches or so. A massive amount of work... There has to be an easier way.
