Rapid Belt Changes For The Can-Am Maverick X3!
Story And Photos By: Brandon Bunch
Removing a CVT belt is not always the most enjoyable task. Oftentimes, the OEM belt removal tools can be a pain in the butt to use. But no matter how much of a pain it is, removing the belt whether blown up or not is required for necessary maintenance.
Assault Industries has released a new belt replacement tool for the Can-Am Maverick X3, and it’s a perfect upgrade over the terrible OEM belt replacement tool.
If you own one, I’m sure you’re familiar with the OEM tool that comes with the Maverick X3—it’s small and space efficient, and relatively easy to use. Thread the aluminum body into the center of the secondary CVT pulley, and thread in the bolt to push in the center hub to spread the sheaves apart. It works just fine, but for some reason Can-Am decided to put a male TORX end on the side of the bolt that pushes against the secondary hub. The TORX end digs into the soft aluminum of the clutch hub causing ugly marks, which obviously also makes it more difficult to turn the bolt. This isn’t the end of the world, but there must be a better way…
Although it does take up a bit more space, Assault’s new F-22 Belt Replacement Tool is a much better tool. It still fits in the Maverick X3’s glove box and comes with a nice little storage bag however, so it does work as an on-the-go tool, and would be ideal in a race situation. The beautiful looking tool is machined from billet aluminum, and comes with a large washer-looking ring that accompanies the tool itself. To use it, place the ring over the center hub, thread the F-22 into the secondary hub until it bottoms out as you would the stock belt replacement tool, and then simply pry the tool over 90 degrees with the bearings riding on the black washer. This motion pushes in on the hub spreading the sheaves in a matter of seconds allowing you to remove and replace the belt in a hurry if needed.
Once you have the belt back in the pulleys, just pull the tool back out 90 degrees and unthread it from the hub. It really is quick and easy to use, and it keeps the secondary pulley from being gouged up which makes it worth the $94.99 MSRP all on its own—in my opinion anyway. Routine belt inspections and CVT maintenance is also much quicker, and a little bit less of a pain. Check out the tool for yourself or get one here at assaultind.com.
