2018 Uforce 500 HO
All of the sudden started whining at idle and will not shift through the gears anymore.
It's like the belt is dragging and putting just a small amount of pressure on the trans gears keeping it from working correctly.
What would cause this to start suddenly.?

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

The 500s don't use a wet clutch so it does have a bearing between the two sheaves of the primary for the belt to ride on at idle. The failure rate on those bearings have been very high. Once locked up, it like the belt is riding directly on the spinning crankshaft, which applies pressure to the secondary and transmission. If it shifts with the engine off and not running, look there first. Just pull the cover and see if it spins easy. If not, just replace it. If you need a shop manual, here you go:
https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A0a1a2a2d-d2b5-4fca-8023-410e29217346
 

NMK, I have the same issue with my Zforce 1000. I looked through the service manual for my machine at the CVT and I don't see this bearing you mention. I don't know if I have a wet clutch or not. Can you think of anything else that might be causing my SXS to be so difficult to shift. With the engine off, it appears to shift normally.

Carmen

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

NMK, I have the same issue with my Zforce 1000. I looked through the service manual for my machine at the CVT and I don't see this bearing you mention. I don't know if I have a wet clutch or not. Can you think of anything else that might be causing my SXS to be so difficult to shift. With the engine off, it appears to shift normally.

Carmen

The 1000s do not have a wet clutch. The fact that it shifts OK when off compared to running says the engine is applying some pressure to the transmission when running. It must do that through the belt. With these systems the belt is loose enough not to be in contact with the sheaves at idle. It either has to ride on the spindle like Kawasaki, or a bearing like the rest of CFMs that don't use a wet clutch. In either case, one has to find out why..or what is causing friction between the belt and the spinning primary clutch. It's usually that bearing, but it can be that the primary isn't opening up all the way..ie the sheaves are partly touching the belt. That can happen if the rollers have an issue or their tracks get packed with BS. It could also be an issue with the internal spring which is meant to part the sheaves. I suggest removing it and inspecting all parts.

I went to alpha-Sports and looked up the 1000s clutch. It does have the bearing. You can see it, and that spring here.

Thank-you for the detailed explanation. I totally understand what you are saying, however, I looked up the clutches in the service manual for the 1000 and the exploded diagram shows a different clutch than the one you show here. I will open up the clutch cover and take a look. I'm sure a thorough cleaning will take care of things.
Thanks again,

Carmen

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Thank-you for the detailed explanation. I totally understand what you are saying, however, I looked up the clutches in the service manual for the 1000 and the exploded diagram shows a different clutch than the one you show here. I will open up the clutch cover and take a look. I'm sure a thorough cleaning will take care of things.
Thanks again,

Carmen

Oh it's there. They just don't show everything. Gota love their manuals.