I have a 1996 Polaris sportsman 500, I was looking at the front end and noticed a hole in the drivers side upper boot. Started looking for a replacement and local auto parts has one but for a 1998 Sportsman 500. Is the same boot for 1996 & 1998? I am thinking it is since the service manual covers for 96&98 but want to make sure Thanks in advance. Again.

 

This is the one model year that can get a little squirrelly. Boots are a different depending on which cv joint brand that it's equipped with. They used either BTB or Neapco for 96 model front cv joints and different boots. We had to stock two separate boots for these. The manufacturers brand name is etched on the cv joint. I know a lot of different boots out there that would work,but still can't beat the oem boots. Look under "cv joint"Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Polaris, Suzuki & Kawasaki OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse

 

My dads 1997 500 Sportsman had only u-joints and no CV joints or boots.

Here are 2 rear axels for a 97 500 Sportsman. Can't remember if the fronts are different.

Here they are for sale on ebay 1997 97 Polaris Sportsman 500 4x4 Left and Right Rear U Joint Axle s Pair | eBay

 

It was just this first year 96 model that used the BTB and Neapco cv joints.They didn't even give a series number as to which one used which. You had to physically remove the cv joint and see which one it was.Shaft nuts and boots were different on each one. The 97 and up models just went to Neapco cv joints. This made stocking cv boot kits a lot easier.

 

had a problem finding a boot too. had to take the damned joint off to find it stamped btb. these boots worked great. http://www.americancvstore.com/1996-...ped-w-btb.html