I spent the weekend in WV and was coming out of a river on my 99 500 4x4 after some fairly rough riding in low range. When I tried going up a hill the front spun but the back did not. Investingation revealed the front seems ok and the rear drive shaft spins but the rear tires dont move. I limped back to camp and parked it.

I plan to tear into it this week but wonder if anyone knows what is likely to have let loose?

Thanks for any input.

 

Sounds like the same thing that happened to mine exactly. I bet its the final drivin bearing. http://www.brownsleisureworld.com/Parts/ATV/1999/1999ATV5004x4(99A4G-AP-1999)/REARBEVELGEARASSEMBLY.htm
Parts 21 and 29. The seal goes and over time the bearing lets go. Mine made no noise when it happend, and none when driving it. Just front wheel drive only.

Heres mine... Click.

This causes what you are describing... but it could be something else. It was easy to remove the rear end. Took 30 mins.

 

Thanks voodoo, I sure hope you are right! I was already seeing the $ signs thinking I may be looking at a new gear set or something.

Like you experienced, I had no noises at all, not even when limping home on front drive only.

 

Hmm cost me less than 50 canadian for parts. Did the work myself. Let us know.

 

I got it apart today and found the problem to be exactly what you suspected. Unfortunately, mine did a bit more damage. The bearing and seal are toasted....the outer ring of the bearing is half missing and that seems to have taken out the snap ring. I'm not sure yet what a good clean job will show but I'm afraid I may have to replace the aluminum housing as well.

I plan to get into it more tomorrow and see what I find.

Thanks again for the tip, I'm sure it saved me time finding the problem.

 

Common for that model. Rear driveshaft bearing. Don't ride it til its fixed or it can do some good damage that will up the cost. Mine went out on my 99 500, and my cousin's 98 454 had the same thing happen. They have a crappy seal on them. When you put the new seal on, put a hose clamp around it to keep it in place better. keeps it from sliding down ever.

 

Glad we could help a bit...

Andy, A hoseclamp?

 

Hey Voodoo, the parts arrived today and its now all back together.

I had to get a new shaft and housing as well as bearing and seal....mine was all tore up.

Thanks again.

 

Did they fix those parts for the later models?