I have an 01 500 4x4. I had a problem awhile back with the swing arm pivot bolts coming loose. During the repair process, I replaced the bushings in the swing arm (both sides) just in case. When it was all back together everything seemed good and tight but after a good ride, I noticed that when I made turns under light acceration I would hear the chain bind up. The chain was a little loose but not so much to cause problems. I jacked up the bike and I could move the swing arm side to side about 1/16-1/8 of an inch. I checked all the pivot bolts and they were all tight. The play is in the bushing and bushing pivot. When the bike was new, I know there was absolutly no play in the swing arm. Is this a wear issue? Do you need to replace the bushing pivots as well? WTF? any help would be nice. And thanks

 

I have an Xplorer 400 with the concentric drive setup, and when mine developed slack, I ordered a new set. Once they came in and I saw they were plastic, I took all the necessary parts to a machine shop and got him to make me some bushings out of bronze. He also machined a grease groove into the new bronze bushings. I now have zero slack. He charged me $70 for materials and labor. Not too bad considering the plastic replacements were like $45.

Waylan

 

sounds like a good idea, but I have some questions. How long do you think they will last? I dont know what kind of riding you do, but I do alot high impact riding...ie jumps, bumps, rocks, and hard trail riding with lots of mud muc and water. I would be afraid that the bronze could cause more wear than the plastic with all the dirt and crap that gets into that area. Which do you think will wear, the bronze or the bushing pivot? One other thing, When i replace my bushings the first time they were only 3.75 a piece for a total of like 12 bucks.

 

ScramberShadow,

The bronze should wear before the pivot pin bushings, but if you keep it greased well, neither should wear for a really long time. As far as which would take a beating better, that seems simple to me.......a bronze-headed hammer would seem to hold up much longer than an equally-weighted plastic-headed hammer, when beating on the same material (steel). But this is only what I think. I am not the authority on Polaris machines, but when something wears out, I try to go back better than stock if possible.

The machinist said that some of the japanese sport atv's have come with plastic bushings that wore out quickly, and he had machined new bronze replacements......and that the bronze replacements pretty much lasted from then on. As far as wearing out the bushing pivot, I would just as soon have the whole setup worn down instead of constantly replacing one part......but that's just me.

My riding style may not be as rough as yours, but I do get 3' of air occasionally, and am continually in mud and water. I just grease up after each mud ride to push any muck out.

When I ordered a bushing kit, I ordered it from EPI, and it was over $40. I had already opened it before I decided to get some made, so I didn't return them.

Anyway, if there's any other info I can help you with, just let me know. If you go to get bronze ones made, let me know.....I can give pointers to help.

Waylan

 

Thanks For The Info Dose The Machinest Do For Who Ever Wants Them? If So What Is His #

 

In the late 80's and early 90's Polaris ATV's came from the factory with bronze A arm bushings. They lasted one weekend of riding.