i have a 2004 ac 500 with about 1400 miles and when i pull in the brakes it pulls in to the handle bars with no stoping power. if i put them 2 or three times i will have brakes but not as much as i should have. i have bled them and cheacked to brake pads and they are fine. i jacked it up and three of the wheels have play in them. does this mean bearings are goin bad? the boots are not ripped. the machine is stock except for 26in mudlight xl's. thanks for any help

 

Are you sure the play in the wheels is not the ball joints? The 04 master cylinders were junk and there is an updated version available for around $250 which is a cheap price to pay when it comes to your safety if you have to stop quick. Our 04 500 had spongy brakes and the park brake would only hold for about 5 minutes and completely bleed off. Once we replaced it with Cats new version, the brakes are excellent and the park brake will hold over night without bleeding off. The part number is #0502-620.

 

the two back wheels have play also so thats why i think its bearings. my parking brakes leak off too. i need to get it fixed because i have to ride my 250 becuse i dont feel safe on the 500 because i mainly use it pullin a trailer on the farm

 

I'm not saying that it is not the bearings but I would make sure before you replace them. On the front and rear suspension you could have worn A-Arm bushings. Check the bushings where they bolt to the main frame and where they bolt to the spindles. Bushings and ball joints are much cheaper and easier to replace than the wheel bearings.

 

ive had an issue with my brakes not working for 6 years now. i have a 2002 500. some times it works other times it dont. I ve taken it to the dealer 7 times under warrenty and when i got it back they worked, but only for a few miles. when i started hitting rough terrain it seemed as if they would bleed off and be spongy again ,so id have to pump them. i just put a new master cylinder with new brake lever assembly on and it helped some.( i only have to pump once or twice instead of 5 or 6 times now). i cant figure it out. The only time i had brakes for a decend amount of time was when i put new brake pads on. i had brakes for a few months when i did that,but i know my brakes arent worn down yet. im thinking of replacing the whole thing with new ones. brake cables and calipers. its kind expensive but cheaper than getting hurt. Hell, i dont want anyone riding it b/c of it. my wife has to ride the 700 when we do ride. Or as the wife suggesed, buy a new bike!!! i like my 500, it may not have brakes but it never left me strande on the trails and since its beat up a bit i use it for all the hard work.