[Mitch4ut]

i've got a KVF400, 2 wheel drive. runs w/o issue, however, when I give it gas, there is a delay. the motor responds immediately, but the unit doesn't start to move until the motor revs a good bit. once moving, there is very little delay. i pulled the cover off of the clutches, everything is working (all parts of the clutches, belt is in good working order, springs are working, no slop in the shaft or clutch mounts). i didn't note the clearances between the clutch bodies, but there was very little play and the bushings were in good order as well. I've never had an "automatic" atv, so not much experience, but it feels like an engine brake, even though the unit doesn't have one. I can compress the spring by hand about 1/2 an inch, but not any further. I jacked the unit up, put it in gear, the clutch is expanding. the belt doesn't grab immediately. i'm going to sand down the faces of the clutches, as they are really smooth and since i have to pull the clutches, i'll replace the belt. anything else i need to look at while i'm in there?

 

[imported_cookie_monster]

This is usually due to worn belt. Check the width of the belt first. If it's within spec, look closely at the front sheave's surfaces, specifically down low where the belt is riding all the time at low speeds. If you see any grooving there, it's junk. Replace either the two faces or the entire sheave assembly depending on how froggy you're feeling about rebuilding it. Look real close at the VERY bottom of the sheave, they are smoothly tapered all the way end to end, if it's severely worn, you'll see a "lip" at the very bottom of the surfaces, usually about 1/16" in width and depending on how worn it is, can be anywhere from 1/32" to 3/16" in "height". I don't know any other way to explain it, I just know what to look for...it's obvious if it's worn.

KVF400 parts are getting harder to find, BTW, so keep that in the back of your mind. My coworker has one and loves it but he's found out that some parts are NLA from kawasaki so he can't fix certain things properly. One is the wiring harness , so we're having to completely rebuild it. Yay.

 

[Mitch4ut]

I did inspect those clutch plates the belt rides on, found no issues. The belt measured at 1 inch in width. Apparently that’s off/out of tolerance by a good bit. Parts wise, I hope I don’t need a wiring harness!

 

[TerryS.]

Hi. I recently bought a 2004 Mule 550. It "ran when parked" and apparently it had been parked for 6 - 8 years. After a lot of work, a new set of cables, driven clutch, upholstery and paint it looks and runs well. The fuel system was a mess, but now the engine purrs at idle around 400 - 500 RPM and accelerates well.

The Mule does have one issue and if anyone can give help/advice it would be very much appreciated. Here's the scenario:

1) start the Mule and let it idle. Put it into gear (forward or reverse) and take off.
2) run at full speed, around 20MPH, and then decelerate.
3) sometimes, as the engine slows RPMs, there will be a gentle clunk and the Mule will be in neutral. All is good.
4) Most times the engine will decelerate and there is no clunk. The drive system will remain engaged and if I don't put it in neutral, the engine will stall.
5) If I decelerate and put the engine in neutral and rev the motor, the clunk will occur and I can then shift into forward or reverse when the Mule stops.

This clunk, is this normal? Is it coming from the transmission or the CVT? I've replaced the transmission fluid and it didn't make any difference (other than giving me confidence it had been maintained). If it is the CVT, is the clunk normal and is there a way to make it disengage from gear and into neutral consistently instead of needing to do the shift to neutral and rev the motor fix?

If there is a way to fix this or a diagnostic process to figure out what's going on, please let me know. The Mule looks, runs and functions great. I'd just like to get this annoying issue repaired. Thank you.

 

[imported_cookie_monster]

Drive converter is sticking. Known issue with them. You can sometimes take them apart & fix them but most of the time it's money ahead to replace it.