Apparently I am destined to have axle issues. I can pull a rear axle in a matter of minutes now. Been doing it way to often.

My problem seems to be the large boot clamp has disengaged itself twice now on both rear axles.

Last fix I buggered up the small clamp so I used a hose clamp for a temporary fix. Worked great until it caught a log or rock and stopped the clamp so needless to say the boot got spun and twisted.

I bought some new Polaris clamps for 8 bucks a piece but for the life of me I can't get the clamp tight enough to engage the clamp.

Has anyone used the type that you install with the band tool that tighten with a ratchet. Do they work?

 

Band clamps work great and gorilla sells an awesome one that tightens, secures, and snips off the excess with ease. Much easier than dealing with the factory clamps!

 

I have installed the bands with that rachet attachment and it works but not really well. I bought a cheap banding tool for $15 from Dennis Kirk and it is still a pain but it gets the clamp tighter and doesn't loosen when you release it. Also, I have used an automotive CV joint clamp purchased from NAPA for about $5 and it is narrower and has a smaller clasp that doesn't rub on the strut housing.

 

EPI sells a cv boot clamp kit for $9.95. It has 4 clamps and the economy banding tool. You can go to www.epiperformance.com and do a search for part # WE145000 EPI also carries two other banding tools one for 19.95 and one for 59.95, you can find them in the tool section on the website.

The clamp kit is nice to have for any repair work.

 

I made a tool for the Polaris factory boot clamps
Here is a pic

 

I did the same thing, only I made mine by modifying a large pair of vise grips. Works great.

 

I made a tool as well out of needle nose vise grips. Took my dremel and cut some slots for the tabs but it just doesnt produce enough clamping power. Need an extra 4 inches of handle to get enough leverage.

It worked great for the small clamp but the large clamp needs alot of force. Maybe I need to hit the gym!

The tool you have made their Caper looks like it would work for the clamps that were on the mid 08 build year and previous(earless type). By the looks of it in the pic it would destroy the stepless clamps on the 09's.

Here is a link to polaris tools clamp tools.
SPX Polaris - Search Results for clamp
Click on tool number for a pic of the tool and clamp.
Too bad this is a dealer only site. Why should a competent individual be able to work on his own machine. Dealer only tools make me mad.

 

09 Popo Ho You are correct on the years........My tool is made for my two Sportsman 450 from 2006........Caper...........

I didn't know they changed the clamps now!