If I grab the top of the left rear tire and pull I hear a metalic click and feel movment. I pulled the wheel and the axle nut is tight. Do i have a wheel bearing going bad?

 

Welcome to the forum,

IT does sound like a bearing. The axle seals wear out very quickly, especially if you ride in mud or sand. I usually change my seals every other year and spend out $20 on seals. A single bearing is $35 - $45!

If you jack your ATV up so the tire is off the ground. Then place one hand on the top and one hand on the bottom (OR side to side if you like) and wiggle you should have very little or no play in the tire. If it doqn wiggle you want it to be less than 1/8 inch I beleive. If it moves too much it is a wheel bearing. Cost about $35-$45 and should take you less than an hour if you have the space and tools.

It may take you longer if you have not done one before. The steps are straight forward with a few tricks to make things easier.

Hope this helps

SJ

 

And replace it before it fails. If you don't, the failed bearing will take out the bearing carrier, and it's $150. Yes, painful experience speaking here.

 

Good point JohnO. I could see where it could happen though. When the knuckle is mounted to the machine you cannot see around the CV boot to get a good look at the rear seal. All it takes is a little grit, dirt, grass to build up in there and it heats up and wears out the seal. Then the next time drive through a puddle or wash the machine you have water get in there ans sit on the bearing.

Now if you don't ride for a few weeks it will just sit there and rust. If it rusts enough it could wear the knuckle surface which the bearing rides on. I personally have not been able to get that inner seal to last more than 2 years. Course I put probably 4000+ miles on in those two years so maybe it should happen.

I remove my tires, and knuckles and inspect the axle, bearings, CV boots and seals once a year or for me, every other oil/filter change. I sometimes have to replace that seal which is around $3.

SJ

 

mines not a AC but a can am but is this the same thing your having issues with

YouTube - MOV01134

 

Mrclark,

From what I see you doing and hear in your video clip your noise could be a shock or swing arm bushing or a bearing. You need to get the machine off the ground on a jack stand and then wiggle the tire again. You also need to look at what is moving.

SJ