badhabits,
IN your #2 you say that the cases are all the same, but in #4 you say they are different. Whats that?

 

sorry about that, #4 should be right hand case. the lefts arev the same.

 

I went out riding with a 2000 500 auto Cat today, and I have to tell you from an observers point of view that it has a VERY effective front differential, and I wasn't the only one who saw it perform. The other person riding with us would agree. It can spin one front tire at times, however giving it alittle more gas caused it to lock up tight, and carried him out of almost every touchy situation. I will say that if the front dif on my Grizzly worked as well as that auto Cat did, I wouldn't be putting a Dirty Howie locker in it.
(which I have, but haven't installed yet)


Rick

 

Picked up my new 500a on thur. and talked to my dealer about the front diff. He seems to think that you can just modify the original diff. and not have to buy A whole front diff. Therefore not having to spend so much cash. I'm going riding with him today, I'll see what it would cost for parts. I haven't got to ride much lately about 4 miles just around the house. But I think I'm going to like the new auto, A lot! I got 27" 589s on it they sure ride alot better than my vamps. I got 9" on the front and they are so much wider than my 10" vamps. I'll let you know how it does on the trail later.

 

griz
you're right about that. i've always been happy with the performance of my cat. it's very rare when all four wheels aren't biting. and it steers like a dream as far as i'm concerned. that whole front differential thing seemed real cool but it's not because im not happy. i wish i could have gotten all those detroit lockers i put in my trucks for a couple of bucks, lol.
maybe mudcat will come up with something yet.

 

Well no good news. Dealer says he doesn't think it is cost effective (kinda pricey). Doesn't think it is A good idea with A new bike anyway. Oh well should've known it was to good to be true. BUT. the dif. in the new 500a seems to work A lot better than the one in my 98 500 ever did. I don't know if there is any difference but everyone that I was ridding with thought that it worked A lot better. Even the guy that was riding my old bike.

 

mudcat
you'll see how hard it is to 3 wheel that thing. even when it does, it's not hard to get them both hooked up. as you know, ALL the wheels stay on the ground more than on a lesser machine, and we don't need the rears to slip to pull them all....all the time. i also like "true 4 wheel engine braking"......hehehe