Slow Backshift and a Cracking Secondary? Blame the Pucks
Your Polaris secondary (driven) clutch does the quiet, thankless half of the shifting job — opening and closing to keep the belt in its sweet spot as load changes. On many 2016 and newer Polaris RZR, Ranger, and General models, that job is handled by square plastic pucks riding on ramps inside the clutch. They work, but they wear, and when they do your machine starts to feel lazy exactly when you need it to react.
How Stock Pucks Fail
Square pucks slide instead of roll, so they build friction and heat every time the clutch shifts. Over time they wear flat spots, drag, and slow down backshifting — the clutch's ability to downshift quickly when you hit a climb or dig into mud. Worse, worn pucks let the clutch move in a jerky, notchy way that hammers the aluminum. Left too long, that stress is a known cause of cracked secondary clutches, which turns a cheap maintenance item into an expensive clutch replacement.
Why Rollers Beat Pucks
Swapping those square pucks for rollers is one of the best low-cost upgrades you can make to a Polaris CVT. The Hunterworks 2016-2025 Polaris UTV Secondary Roller Kit replaces the outside pucks with high-temp rollers tested to 400 degrees, wrapped in a new Nano dry-lube coating for smooth, low-friction movement. Because they roll instead of scrape, they backshift faster, last longer than stock pucks, and stop the square-puck wear pattern that cracks secondaries. Each kit includes two rollers and two pins, with an optional second pair available.
Does It Fit Your Machine?
This outside-roller kit fits a wide range of non-turbo Polaris models: 2016-2023 RZR XP 1000 and XP4/High Lifter, 2016-2025 RZR 1000S, 2016-2025 RZR 900 (all models), 2016-2025 General and 2020-2025 General XP, plus 2017 Ranger XP 1000 (all) and 2018 Ranger XP 1000 Crew. It will not work on Turbo models or the newer RZR XP 1000, so confirm your year and model before ordering.
Smooth, Faster-Reacting Shifts
If your RZR feels like it hesitates before it digs in, or you have already seen the flat wear square pucks leave behind, the Polaris secondary roller kit is an afternoon job that pays you back with quicker backshifting and a secondary clutch that lives a lot longer. Be sure to read the tech article and watch the install video before you start.