Polaris Clutch Balancing: Your Complete Guide Clutch Balancing

Polaris Clutch Balancing: Your Complete Guide

May 11, 2022

When it comes to your Polaris ATV’s clutch, either it’s balanced or it’s not. But what does it mean to balance a clutch, and why does it matter? Harvey's is here with your complete guide to Polaris clutch balancing.

What is Clutch Balancing?

Your ATV’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) is made up of a primary clutch, a secondary clutch, and a drive belt. The primary “drive” clutch is connected to the engine shaft, and the secondary “driven” clutch to the vehicle’s transmission shaft.

Both clutches spin at high speeds, and as such have to be a consistent weight throughout. Clutch balancing is the process where both clutches and their individual internal parts are rotated, marked, and then drilled to perfectly “balance” their rotation. By punching out metal weight at the proper marks, a skilled balancer can ensure that the clutch will spin on its respective shaft without wobbling.

Why is Clutch Balancing Needed?

An improperly balanced clutch can do major damage to your Polaris ATV or UTV. If you’ve ever ridden a vehicle with a clutch that was out of balance, you can probably guess why. When a clutch isn’t weighted uniformly throughout, it’s going to noticeably vibrate. Depending on just how out of balance your ride is, it can be pretty jarring.

Even if it’s not shaking your entire frame, clutch vibration can loosen nearby bolts over time. An improperly balanced clutch can shake your whole assembly to pieces or blow the oil seals on your shaft or transmission.

How do you balance a Polaris Clutch?

While we at Harvey’s love Polaris and their vehicles, the factory balance on their OEM clutches can be unreliable to say the least. That’s why we recommend having it rebalanced by a professional, or replacing your Polaris clutch with a Harvey’s ATV Mother Clutcher.

Clutch balancing requires a similar tool to tire or wheel balancing. These days, the process is often computerized or computer assisted, but it can be done manually as well. The part to be balanced is suspended on a low-friction rotating shaft, and is carefully spun to see if it comes to rest at any particular spot. If it does, the operator marks the spot, then uses a handheld drill to make a pair of small holes, relieving weight. The process has to be done multiple times on each part to ensure consistent repeatability.

ARE HARVEY'S CLUTCHES BALANCED?

Yes! Unlike cheaper competitors, we care about your ride’s integrity. Every Harvey’s clutch comes reliably pre-balanced, ready to bolt on and ride. You’ll find the same type of punch marks on a Harvey’s Mother Clutcher as you would on any OEM Polaris Clutch. The big difference is the one-year warranty backed and fulfilled by Harvey’s ATV Parts.

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