Worn out variator?

Hi all, I have what you might call a high mileage Swing. Over 70 000 miles/ 115 000 kms on her. I have always had some belt slap, but although my new belt only has a couple of miles, the belt slap has gotten worse. I'm thinking my variator is worn and will need replacing sometime soon.

I was wondering if anybody has replaced their variator with OEM just because it was worn and not for the thrill of adding racing parts? At what mileage would you expect to have to replace it because of wear? I don't remember ever having seen a thread on this and can only think the old Swing is so bulletproof it was never necessary??

Please help?
MM

The only time I've heard of the variator being changed other than 'perfomance parts' is when they develop ridges on the faces, if your variator has ridges then it's likely that the drive will also have them. Personally I'd find a good engineer & have the lightest possible skim taken of the surfaces

Thanks for the input - can you think of any other part which might be wearing to cause a bad belt slap? Only at around 4500 - 5000 rpm, but beginning to worry me. I had a 300cc SYM variator blow up on me before and am hoping to avoid the experience...

Some belt slap is normal.

Variator wear can be checked by placing a straight edge from the center to the edge. If the variator is grooved, or has ridges (as Bern mentions) or is "dished" by as little as 1 mm it wil equate to a worn belt.

Hope this makes sense and hope this helps.

Tim

135.000 kms here.City use mostly.No variator issues.SW FJS 600 2007.Dr Pulley 24 gr sliders since 50.000 kms

Thanks guys - I'm probably just a worrier

Think less of "ridges" and more of a wide "wear groove". Next time you do a tear down of your variator, take a straight edge to the faceplate and driveplate. If there is more than 1mm gap, you should start thinking about replacing them. while in there, also replace the roller/slider weights, the drive belt, and at least inspect the pads on the rear clutch.

lcgraham wrote:

Think less of "ridges" and more of a wide "wear groove". Next time you do a tear down of your variator, take a straight edge to the faceplate and driveplate.  If there is more than 1mm gap, you should start thinking about replacing them.  while in there, also replace the roller/slider weights, the drive belt, and at least inspect the pads on the rear clutch.

Good points all Icgraham! I always replace the belt and rollers together - but have new Dr Pulley sliders now, so it will be just the belt at another 16000 miles. At my last tear down there were no ridges, but I did not know to look for a wear area!
Thanks a ton.
MM

Mighty Mouse, what was wrong with the SYM 300, and what mileage? I have just bought a new one.