I've got a '01 500 AutoCat that has performed less than stellar since I bought it new in August. I've had several problems, some from the dealer and some design flaws that have plagued my riding. Everything from a broken shifter cable spring (took the dealer 6 weeks to get!) to a bearing in the drive case failing.
Is anybody else out there not satisfied with their 500 autocat?
My family took a camping trip to northern MN (Effie)last week-end and brought up the wheelers, a '00 500 QuadMaster Auto, and a '91? Fourtrax 300. I was the one who had my wheeler die from water getting sucked in and then the belt started slipping........ I had enough!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]
I stopped in to the local Honda dealer to look at the new Rubicons and test drive one. It was pretty quick but for some reason when I let off the throttle it slowed WAY down like a brake was stuck on (it wasn't) the ride wasn't as smooth as my Cat either. The digital readout and the many ways the transmission operates seems like a repair nightmare. But what baffled me was the fact that they said they only take Honda's on trade!?!?
So I stopped at the Cat dealer. Looks like I'll be waiting 'till November for the 500i, or maybe I try a few mods to correct a few things.
Anybody know where I can get quality parts and accessories for my Cat?

Thanks,
Otis 500

 

You might try this site: http://www.brownsleisureworld.com/Parts/menu1.htm

It's in Canada and prices are Canadian, but they do mail order to the U.S.

 

Otis-
Very sorry to hear of your troubles with the auto 'Cat. I haven't had a single problem from either of my '00s that wasn't a result of my own sheer stupidity. It really baffles me why some guys have problems getting parts from their dealers. I've ordered several parts for my 'Cat (ball joints, cv joint, airbox, 2/4wd shifter lever, air filter, new jets) and every time my dealer orders, as long as he orders by Tuesday at 5:00 pm, it's ALWAYS there by Friday morning UPS shipment. The ONE exception was my 2/4wd shifter lever that happened to arrive on the friday afternoon I was down there, was a result of the UPS driver being backed up, making two runs, otherwise it would have been on the am shipment too. I can't understand why others like yourself are told it will be "6 weeks" till the part arrives-that's just crazy! Is there another dealer in your area?

Anyway, what type of aftermarket goodies or parts are you looking for? Anything in particular? And, if you don't mind me asking, when you "died" in the mud hole, water must have been higher than your tranny, as the machine won't just die from water in the tranny-it needs to be sucked in somewhere else, like a gas line or something to actually kill the engine. Were you in 2wd, or 4wd, and in high or low range? As you got water in your tranny to slip the belt, I'm assuming you were either in high range, or had to stop and back up for some reason, then go forward again, is this correct? The trick to going through any kind of mud or water with the auto is to KEEP IT IN LOW RANGE AND ON THE THROTTLE! If you keep it in low range, and on the throttle, there is enough exhaust gases blowing out to prevent any kind of water from getting in. I run through mud and water up to the racks all the time, and have never slipped a belt yet, while keeping it in low range, and giving it a little gas. You don't have to rev the thing to death, just keep a steady amount of throttle, you'll be fine. If you did all this, and water still got in, I would recommend checking ALL your tranny cover bolts to make sure they're good and tight, and also check your drain plug to make sure it's good and tight as well.

The point where I ran into trouble was with water up to the racks being sucked into the carb vent lines, getting water in the carb and "killing" the machine. When this happened, yes, the 'Cat did "die", and water was sucked into the tranny. This was from the water in the carb, nowhere else. After relocating the carb breather lines to a higher location, I haven't had a problem since. Since you died in the water, I'd highly recommend changing out ALL fluids, draining the gas tank if need be, and especially draining the carb. Even if it wasn't that bad, the extra effort to make sure will further protect the machine. Also, you'll probably want to pull your tranny cover off, hose out the inside of the tranny, then spray in a can of "Gunk Engine Bright" engine cleaner. Spray that stuff on till it's good and foamy, then hose off after like 15 minutes. Repeat this till the entire can is gone, your tranny will be sparkling clean. Once it's good and dry, replace cover and gasket, making sure all bolts are tight. You may want to put a high quality marine grease around the bearings just to be safe.

On a side note, I've ridden with a Ruby a few times now, and ridden myself for about a half hour each time. I have back problems, and simply can't take any more than that-it's just too damn rough. When it slowed way down on you, were you in D1 or D2? High or low range? If you were in the low range, yes it will take off very quickly, but also slow down very quickly, due to the lower range. After riding the 'Cat, I would not recommend trading down to this machine. The ones I have ridden both had numerous electrical problems with that digital readout thing, one lead to tranny problems. Both were traded off after only a couple months of use. If you prefer to trade up to the new 'Cat for the smoother ride, you already know how the rear swing axle is, the IRS version should be even better. If you need an auto, the new Griz or Prairie could even be worth a look-they seem to be fine machines. Unless Polaris does something about that 4wd engagement thing for '02, I wouldn't recommend going with one of them-I've seen what happens in the downhill slick mud in 2wd, and it ain't pretty! On a lighter note, the new '02 auto 'Cat has supposedly had a tranny makeover, relocating the vents to an even higher location. On the IRS version, with 12" of ground clearance, the vent must be between at least 14 and 16" I would guess, which is MUCH higher than it is on the current 'Cats. This will then lead to less problems with water entering the housing. A few guys have said something about water-tight electrical components or wiring too, which leads me to believe these new 'Cats may take to water quite nicely. Even still, with the swing axle being at a new 10.75", that is still about 1 1/2" taller than today's 'Cats ('01, '00), add that to the higher vent location, should push it up another 2-4" or so, making it around 14-15", which is higher yet than the current models. Might be something to consider.

As for accessories, again, anything in particular? www.highlifter.com, www.cabelas.com, www.rockymountainatv.com, www.hi-per.com should be enough to keep you busy for a few hours anyway! heh heh heh [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Anyway, sorry for the LONG post, hope there might be something of use. Best of Luck,

Mike

 

Your slowing down 'way quick' on the rubi is real engine braking. Good luck on getting your ride straightened out.

 

I almost went over the bars the first time I experienced my Rubi's engine breaking. Once you know about it though its not so bad. Rarely do I even use the brakes now. Unless Im flying.