I recently purchased a 2000 Sportsman, it has approximately 100 miles, I have developed a side to side free play of approximately 1/2" in which the tires do not move from left to right. Is this common for Polaris? I read an article about the lower support block steering bushing being the main cause. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciatied.

 

sportsmans are known for tie rod ends going bad and also the lower steering post bushing going bad. Its probably one or the other

 

Have somone sit on the machine and hold the handlebar tight. You wiggle the tire in and out and you should be able to see if the slop is in the outer tie rod end. Or hold the tire and have them turn the handle bar and watch the bottom of the post and inner tie rod ends at the same time. I bet it is your outer tie rod ends next to the tire. Just got done replacing mine and it was the outer ends. Except I had 700 miles and about an inch of slop. $38.00 a piece just for the tie rod end. Good luck

2 SP 500's servin ya MUD for dinner!

 

You can buy the tie-rod end from dennis kirk for 16.99 a peice. I agreee it will probably be the outside tie rod end
Greg

 

I replaced 3 sets of tie rod ends on my 99 Sportsman with 1400 miles on it.I have heard of it being both the problems mentioned in here though.=======Bill

 

Polaris Tie Rod Ends SUCK!!... THeres no way around that...
Order a lower steering post bushing from RCR, Its a MUCH better piece that replaces the crappy **** poor design that some Engineering Crack-Head thought up.. do a search on the Polaris threads for Tie Rod Ends... A Fix on the way...
In there you will find all the necessary part numbers, prices, and places to order parts from to convert your bike to using an INDUSTRIAL Heim Joint that has a grease fitting. I've been running a set on two bikes for a WHILE now IN THE MUD, With 27" tires on one and riding wheelies and jumping on the other one... They have held up GREAT!.
I've got some detailed pics somewhere if you need them.
Good Luck!

 

Mudmachine
I would like more info on what you did. I was going to machine my own and use $7 dollar ends, but ran out of time before hunting season. Nothing like paying for stupid designs. You think somebody would be fired if polartis coughed it up for this design. I love it rubber buts to hold all the mud and water in every time you ride

 

Have no idea whats up with you guys and your tie rod ends. I have 1300 miles on my "97" with the old syle small tie rods and they are as tight as a drum. We just got a "00" in for service that put on 4900 miles in 5 1/2 months! Tie rod ends are as good as new, they are the lastest style. Lower stem bushing is toast but Polaris fixed that problem in the "01" models. By the way my brake pads have never been replaced and are like new. Probably don't do the mud holes as much as you younger dudes. I would venture to guess we haven't put on a 8 to 10 tie rod ends in 13 years. Probably only sold about 400 machines in that amount of time, but none the less I think that is a pretty good ratio. Most of our stuff is sold to farmers but they but are in a lot of water and mud.

 

Hello Mudnsnow you can use those rubber boots to your advantage, just get you some water pipe clamps you know the ones that are made of metal, fill the boots with grease and then put on your clamps. I have done mine this way and my new style tie rod ends are holding up good with 900+ miles on them. On the other hand I am going to buy the extended warranty and if I had the warranty I wouldn't fool with the clamps. It is true what you said about the rubber boots though never quite thought about it that way about the rubber boots holding in water the way they are designed. I have pics of the way I did mine if needed...good luck hope this helps.

 

Argo,

To add to what the others have provided ... how about attempting to get Polaris to fix it under warranty. It is a known problem that they have attempted to fix of late.

You indicate the machine is fairly new. My assumption is that it is still under warranty.

Chopperbill, I would have to guess there are a lot of loose steering components out there with owners that don't notice. Since they just get loose and don't actually break, many riders would never notice.

DJ