Scootworks 900 pulley issue

[slicktech]

I have had the pulley on for a few thousand miles. Installed exactly to the directions. Recently I noticed an odd squealing noise when letting the clutch out from a stop. Today I pop off the side covers and notice that the center nut on the pulley is not torqued down all the way anymore. The washer was still bent over one of the edges. I tightened it down as much as I could with a closed end wrench and a cheater bar and the sound is quieter, but still there. Why do I have a sinking feeling in my stomach...am I screwed?

[c_law23]

yikes, dont know, i used an impact but i would figure with a "cheater" bar that you would have gotten enough torque to be just fine...

[N3FOLN3FOL]

Use the appropriate torque wrench for the bolt and torque to spec. You don't want this coming off while your riding.

[slicktech]

It was mega torqued from the factory. When I replaced the pulley I used a torque wrench and put it down to 100 ft/lbs as instructed by Scootworks. I am confused about what could be causing the weird clutch noise.

[MrClean]

Did you grease the but/washer connection area so as not to get a false reading. Did you tap the pulley on a bit to ensure that it was truly seated? Sounds like it didn't seat all the way and you just seated it the rest of the way.

Listen, I am not saying I'm any better than you and YOU have got me worried about MY install. But it could be as simple as that, you didn't get it seated all the way and the pulley was just allowed to vary path a bit. Not saying you have a bunch of chewed up primary output shaft splines, just that the front pulley/belt alignment was off and squealing. There, now we both feel better. When you were re-tightening your pulley did you notice a bunch of chewed up aluminium dust in the covers? If not, you're probably AOK with a nut that is now more secure. One thing for sure, if the tabs on the washer were bent over the nut, your nut didn't loosen, your pulley seated further in.

[hharada]

It does sound strange that the locking washer was still bent over the nut. Unless the splines on the washer were ground out, it doesn't seem the nut could have moved.

I haven't had any problems, but haven't put that many miles on since installing. I used a torque wrench and tightened to the 100+ ft/lbs Scootworks recommended.

I recall my Scootworks instructions also said to apply a permanent locktight. I was a little concerned with that and used blue locktight instead.

[slicktech]

Grease the washer? Err, nope. Tap the pulley? Probably not, can't remember. There was a bit of dust with metallic flecks in it on the outer side of the pulley, though not a ton. I'd bet you are right about it seating further in. Hopefully I don't have to pay the full price for a stupid mistake. Heading after an impact wrench tonight and will take off the pulley for an inspection. Thanks for the info. I will post an update when I see what's up....or I may be on the floor sobbing.

[MrClean]

It says that somewhere in the instructions or online somewhere. If the washer isn't cleaned and greased it can catch and give you a false reading on the torque wrench. Also, the slightest hint of dust sometimes can keep a pulley from sliding all the way onto a shaft. Just a little rap with the wooden handle of a hammer can seat it. Been there, done that, except it was on the primary input gear of a Toro reel mower unit. That also happens to be the first place I ever used an impact screwdriver.

[Vulcan900]

When I installed mine I did not use a torque wrench, just a breaker bar with a 2 foot cheater and my foot. That's the way it came off, that's the way it went back on.

Hopefully you haven’t done any real damage to the pulley or the shaft splines. If there is any question about the pulley being damaged do not reinstall, a screwed up shaft is not worth the price of buying another pulley.

[Johnny5]

Originally Posted by Vulcan900

When I installed mine I did not use a torque wrench, just a breaker bar with a 2 foot cheater and my foot. That's the way it came off, that's the way it went back on.

Awesome! I love your logic. Works for me too.


Although, with my cheap tools, I cant use it all the time...broke a socket getting it off, cant break a socket getting it on....

[Gnash]

Slick...the only thing I can think of is that the notched washer was not fitting all the way into the shaft splines. So the washer is butted up against it, the little ditty still gets torqued to 100ft/lbs and the washer gets dog eared over, though because it is not in the splines it will rotate with the nut.

Pop the cover on and take that washer and nut off and have a look see....might be a real easy fix. No sense fretting until you have a second look.

The squealing you are hearing might be the pulley moving in and out abit since there is now slack on the spline and the belt is rubbing on the cover.

.....and if I missed someone suggesting that already....just ignore the comment.

D

[slicktech]

Pulled it apart last night. The splines and pulley looked fine. I would bet that I didn't have it seated all the way when I first installed it. Everything is definitely on straight and tight now. Used an impact wrench and torqued it down to 175 ft/lbs. Yeah, more than the manual says, but clearly less than what it was from the factory. If the squeaking squealing bit comes back, I will know to look somewhere else for troubles.

Thanks all for the help.