I have a 99 500 scrambler and am not overly impresed with the reliability of it. I bought it used and the dealer told me it belonged to a farmer that just putsed around on it checking his cattle. He said it was traded for a utility machine for obviouse resons. But from the troubles i have had with it either that was an outright lie or he had kids that beet the holy crap out of it. Any how I realy love the performance and vercatility of it but am slightly afraid to get a new one. I have considered everything from a raptor to a rubicon or sportsman to replace it, but the first does not have 4x4 and that is a must in my book and the second two are not sportie enough for me. so that leaves me with a new scrambler. Anyhow please let me know how well yours hold up. Mine has broke 3 springs in the front hubs in the last 4 months, and no I am not spinning when i engage the front. Thanks.

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I have a 97 500 Scrambler and I have yet to miss a ride or get left behind because of problems. I am extreem with my maintenence schedule (not because I need to be, thats just me). I would not hesitate for a moment about purchasing a new Scrambler. If your not comfortable working on your own hubs and I take it that you dont have alot of faith in your dealer find a dealer in your area that has a good reputation and get your hubs problems worked out once and for all. Other than your hub problems how do you like the machine so far?

 

Do you only have problems with the springs in the hubs? I have a 400 model and have only had slight problems with hub seals and the chain stretching a bit.

Trust me...after getting off a Scrambler and going to a Utility quad...the difference is amazing. My Xplorer feels like a 600 lb slug now! Same thing switching to a full-on Sports quad. It will feel weak and tiny in comparison.

Brian

 

My Scrambler has been great and very reliable. When I read some of the post about problems with chains breaking, hubs engaging, transmission cases breaking I wonder whats going on I have experienced NONE of this. In fact I`m still running the original chain & sprockets however I will be changing them soon.

The things I have had problems with have been the typical Polaris weak points lower steering post bearing, tie-rod ends and brakes. None of these parts have failed just worn out much earlier than other brands. Most of these weak area`s have been upgraded on the newer Scramblers. My belt has NEVER been wet or slipped and I do go through deep water.

Maintenance is not much more than the Warrior I had a few more grease fittings. The wheel bearings must be sealed better than the Warrior`s because I replaced them after 2 yrs of riding, it`s 3 yrs now on my Scram and the bearings are showing no signs of wear.

Before I bought the Scram I was warned not to buy Polaris because of the reliability. There was no other machine out there that had the versatility of the Scrambler and the fun factor, so I bought what I wanted and have NEVER regreted it. For the type of riding I do there is no other machine for me to consider. If you look at my picture you will see how I use it.

Sorry to hear your having problems maybe you were`nt told the truth or the dealer wasn`t told the truth or you just got a bad one.

Sorry so long I`m tired of people questioning the Polaris reliability.

98 Scrambler 500
00 Trailblazer 250
See my pic`s at http://www.picturetrail.com/riskracing

 

Sorry about your luck so far
But mine has been totally reliable nothing gone wrong and I have had it over a year and had not had to replace anything not even brakes but I am due too soon they are getting low.

The one thing I did do was drill out those weak rivits on the steering stem and replace them with stainless nuts and bolts with lock washers it has got rid of that loose feeling and it only takes about 25 min.
I would most definatley buy another one I love them.
Good luck

 

Thanks for the replies. They are obviosly what i was hoping to hear. Scram500man, I love the overall machine. It runs awsome never a problem with the engine. Just a LOT of little problems like the hub for the third time. A belt, both head lights, and a chain that broke on a landing. Polaris has definitly hit on something here. It is one of only two 4x4 sport machines and the other is only a 350. One thing that would realy be nice is if they would put the scrambler on a diet, and lose around 100 pounds. That would make it a real force to be reconed with in the sport world. I think i will most likely get anouther one. I was hoping to replace it this weekend but the dealer that is giving me the best price has not recived his overdue shipment of polaris machines. That seems a little funnie to me because he is only 15-20 miles from the factory. Thanks for any further replies. Sory abought the speling but that is not my strongest point.

 

i also have a 99 scram 500.so far ive replaced steering bushing,tierod ends,airbox,hubs engage when not supposed to,cv boot my fault-ice. but all in all its a great all around quad

 

I have had mine for 3 months and so far the belt has came apart 2 times. That is the only thing that has happened so far.But other than that I am happy with it.

 

Sorry to hear about your problems and I hope they are easily fixed.
On the other hand my scrambler 400 has been running flawlessly so far during the 8 months of my ownership.

2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4

SCRAMDADDY400

 

I was thinking of getting a Scrambler for my next quad, it fits some of my needs-
Light work, trail riding, mud in every trail I ride in(4x4 will come in handy) and I like the looks of them.

Only reasons I wouldn't get one- chain drive, automatic, too much maintenance on them. So I am looking at getting a Wolverine 4x4 maybe.