Cutting xx4 belt cover??

[jpgranone]

Hello,

I am trying to keep a xx4 running and I found the review stating you can cut the belt cover to get better access to the running gear. I was wondering if anyone has seen excessive chassis flex when doing this?

Thanks
Jeff

[lochness42]

I've heard about breaking chassis after cutting belt cover but can't say if it's true - never tried it.

[ottoswe]

the tub is pretty stiff as is, i dont think you are gonna feel any diffrence. but it will save you a lot of time. mine is cut at the back too (behind the antenna mount) and that will save you even more time.

[niggs98]

personally never saw the point in cutting it. you save 5 screws in strip and build time by cutting it which is 2 mins at most and open up the drive train to dust ingress. IMHO leave it as it was ment to be as it makes very little difference either way

[ashleyb4]

And 90% of the time if you need to take the drive chain apart you will need to get to the rear diff so you will have to take the rear shock tower off anyway.

A

[MattW]

I wouldn't do it. We were looking at a car at the Belgian GP that was cut, and you could feel a massive difference in your hand. Interestingly, the owner said he had been suffereng a lot from rear belt issues. My gut feel was that this extra amount of flex would seriously not help.

[jpgranone]

OK, I have one cut and one uncut. I am working on machining an aluminum brace for the cut version so I can eliminate flex. I did some load tests on the chassis and I can see how casing a jump would cause serious flex. Thanks again for all the input.

[ottoswe]

i think cutting the belt cover is the way to go.. its not often you need to check the diff or belt but when you do, its great.. if you got 1hour between qualifying/finals heats the less you need to disassemble the better.