Have read that others are having trouble, expensive trouble breaking cv joints backing up with the steering turned hard using Hihglifters lift kit and bigger tires. I put on 'steering stoppers' which are just short peices of 3/4' I.D. steel pipe dropped over top of the factory stoppers on the bottom of the steering shaft. I used pipe that was 1/8" thick, but I think You could use thicker. I don't notice much difference in steering, just a little less "throw" of the handlebars. Hopefully this will prevent the excessive stress on the cv joints while turning the wheels. I used a little silicone caulk to hold them in, farmer type fix.

 

SWAC,I know its to late for you,but I been telling everyone to forget about the lift kits because of all the driveline problems I hear about.You'd be alot better off just doing what I do.Install 26 inch tires all the way around the quad,and installing a pair of those 13 dollar rubber spacers that fit on your front springs.They lift you enough to eliminate any scraping from the fenders,===BILL
00 Xplorer 4x4 If you want to come in second,''FOLLOW ME''

 

Bill, I know its too late for me, but I got a great deal on the 27" tires, and just went ahead and bought them. I was hitting the front fenders on good bumps with the stock tires, so would be interested in them rubber inserts that you put between the coils. Not wanting to spend any more money on the quad, so not interested in getting stiffer springs that Polaris sells. With the addition of the steering stoppers I posted today, I am cutting down on the chance of overstressing the cv joints. I just bought new axles, including the cv joints, and that ran me $450.00. I don't know how I could have bent them axles, but did.

 

If you were hitting the fenders with the stock tires over bumps, then I think you answered your own question about what may have happend to the front end. Possibly it's your riding style. 27" tires will only give you 1" more ground clearance, if that, if you had problems before, you will have super problems with this setup in the future. When your cv joints are shot in 6 months, you will know what I mean. A Hi-Lifter kit only aggravates the problem. I personally know of two Grizz's and one SP500 that have had mega problems with a Hi-Lifter setup and big 27" rubber. The drive trains are not strong enough on these quads (any of them) to take the beating this setup delivers. Just wait till one of those 27" meats hooks a tree root in the woods, or better yet on a sidehill. They also don't handle worth a **** and you lose a tremendous amount of power with all the added weight. Be prepared.

 

The 27" Vampires give more than 1" more ground clearance. We got about 1 1/2"-2", I need to measure again. All diffeent tires are different heights than what they claim. Some short, some tall.

We have been running the lifts on stock tires & big mud tired Sportsman without problems. We don't ride them like Banshee's though, and we avoid full lock at all cost. We are probaly going to put steering limiters in just for the insurance.