Trans belt pulley

In the process is removing the trans belt pulley but not sure how to secure the shaft to remove the nut. (left handed correct?)

Secondly, with the shaft retainer nut still secure I can move the pulley (side to side-up-down) slightly but the shaft in the center of pulley is not moving. Whats-up with that? Problem?

BTW; removing the pulley to locate small trans leak--I was thinking seal.

Al
 

Mr. Wright

Knows some things
Supporting Member
They make a special tool for that, or you can do it like most people do. With the belt still on, stick a rag between the belt and the pully, that will keep it from turning. On your second thing, before you take the nut off, see if it will tighten. Sounds like the nut got loose somehow. If it has been run loose, there ias a good possibility the end of the shaft, and or the pully could be worn out . Check them both real good. Also that nut is left hand thread.
 

bigdogtech01

Well-Known Member
In the process is removing the trans belt pulley but not sure how to secure the shaft to remove the nut. (left handed correct?)

Secondly, with the shaft retainer nut still secure I can move the pulley (side to side-up-down) slightly but the shaft in the center of pulley is not moving. Whats-up with that? Problem?

BTW; removing the pulley to locate small trans leak--I was thinking seal.

Al
Sounds like either your bearings are worn inside the transmission, or the drive pulley nut has loosened up. If the nut became loose enough for long enough time, it may have worn the splines out on the pulley itself...possibly even the drive gear.
Yes, it is Left hand thread with Red locktite. If you have an air impact, that's the best way to remove it. Otherwise, if you have the belt still in place, put bike in gear, hold rear brake, and remove with big ass breaker bar.
 

bigdogtech01

Well-Known Member
They make a special tool for that, or you can do it like most people do. With the belt still on, stick a rag between the belt and the pully, that will keep it from turning. On your second thing, before you take the nut off, see if it will tighten. Sounds like the nut got loose somehow. If it has been run loose, there ias a good possibility the end of the shaft, and or the pully could be worn out . Check them both real good. Also that nut is left hand thread.
I type to slow, you beat me to it, Lol.
 

Olde Man

Active Member
I could not properly align my 06 K9 rear tire to prevent belt walk. After close examination I realized that the internal spline on the transmission drive pulley was worn out. My rear wheel pulley to hub joint was also moving around and wearing. It was leaving black smeary specks on my rear rim. This was powdered aluminum. I attribute all of this to running my belt tension to big dog specs. I run it much looser now. You can ruin a lot of parts in a big hurry if your not careful.
 
Sounds like either your bearings are worn inside the transmission, or the drive pulley nut has loosened up. If the nut became loose enough for long enough time, it may have worn the splines out on the pulley itself...possibly even the drive gear.
Yes, it is Left hand thread with Red locktite. If you have an air impact, that's the best way to remove it. Otherwise, if you have the belt still in place, put bike in gear, hold rear brake, and remove with big ass breaker bar.
james@bakerdrivetrain.com <james@bakerdrivetrain.com>

How do you determine if is the pulley, shaft or beatings? Like I indicated, I does not appear the shaft is moving with the pulley. At this point it does not seem like the nut is loose because I still have not be able to remove it with minimal effort.
 
Before I removed the retaining nut I took one more closer look; the pulley itself is moving, not the nut or center shaft. I seems to move about 1/16 (max) of an inch. Does that add anything to determine the issue?
 

Relic

Active Member
Sounds like the nut has loosened up before and wore the splines. They may have just retightened the nut without checking the splines. I would remove the nut and look them over. As bigdogtech01 said, the splines on the pulley will generally wear before the splines on the shaft & an impact will break it loose fairly easy.

I had the same problem on an 08 K-9. There shouldn't be any play in the pulley & shaft even with the nut removed if the splines are good. I got everything needed direct from Baker (pulley, seals, new nut etc). Not a difficult or costly fix.

P.S. I also agree with Olde Man, belt tension causes many problems (I run mine looser than the specs).
 

bigdogtech01

Well-Known Member
Yes, it sounds like the Drive pulley is worn. Once pulley is removed from drive gear, Clean the splines up on both the pulley and the drive gear with a small wire brush and some parts cleaner. Then inspect for wear. You should be able to see that on the very end of the splines of the pulley, towards the outside, will still look like new. This part of the splines is facing the nut. Based off that, you should be able to determine how much wear there is on the splines. Same goes for the drive gear splines. There will be a small amount up towards the transmission bearing door that has no wear from the pulley splines meshing with the drive gear splines. Does this make sense?
As far as belt tension goes, I always run '05 and up Big dogs at 1/4" of play at 10lbs of force on top side of belt with bike on side stand. Never any problems.
Any looser than this can cause the belt to break under load. Usually will snap coming out of 2nd gear.
 
Thanks for the info. I did clean everything and the OP shaft looks fine, the pulley is a little narley. Ordered everything (pulley, seals, spacer and nut) from Baker this morning. The Tech I spoke to indicated it is very difficult the damage the OP shaft and more that likely the new pulley is going to fix the problem. Wait and see. He also suggested I throw away the BD install torque specs and perform the initial torque then hammer it on as tight as it will go with an impact with consideration of the locking pin position never backing it off to line the nut up with the pins that should be tight against the nut. Thanks again, Al
 

bigdogtech01

Well-Known Member
I would not advise you hammering that pulley nut on with an impact. Use Red Loctite and 80 ft lbs, and you will not have any problems with it. Using the impact, depending on the output of it...some have an easy 700 ft lbs. of torque. You have no way of knowing how much torque is actually being applied to that nut threads and drive gear threads. Being a fine thread, it can damage them.
Once you get the new pulley and nut torqued down, check to make sure you have no play ( up, down. Side to side. ) If you have even the slightest amount of play, you have a bearing that has failed.
 
Thanks again. I appreciate your advise and it makes good sense. Trust me, I would have been too nervous to pound it with an impact, I do not believe I have any bearing issues but I suppose anything is possible. The OP shaft never did move, all the slop was in the pulley itself but I will certainly check it. Is there anything else I should be doing for winter maintenance? I have changed all wheel bearings, brakes shoes and new Dot 5, re-packed neck bearings. Will be checking primary chain/shoe, all fluids. Any other known common issues I should look at? Thanks, Al
 
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