While plowing my driveway from our last snow storm, I noticed a pretty annoying problem with my 4WD system; it's only 3WD! It really hampers me when I've got a large pile of snow in front of me because the quad will then lose traction and turn to the right (it's the left-front that works). Does anyone know how I might be able to get the right-front to "lock-in"? I have a 94 Polaris 400L! The machine is really in great shape, so I don't think there is anything mechanically wrong with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated guys/girls! Thanks!

 

The way the Polaris 4x4 system works, you shouldn't have the 'threewheeling' effect. When you put a Polaris in 4x4, it stays in 2x4 until the rear tires slip a tiny percentage amount faster than the fronts, then the front tires kick in and should be 'locked'. If your quad isn't locking in, I would imagine there is a problem with your front diff. Maybe a sensor gone bad? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

Just my thoughts.

-Krait

 

Do you imagine it could be a lack of hub fluid? I was going to check into that this weekend, as I am doing some other maintenance. Also, what are your thoughts on fluid, Pure Polaris or substitute for the tranny, counterbalancer, and front gearcase?

 

It could be a lack of hub fluid. Not sure what type they take, I only had my old Polaris 4x4 for a short time and didn't ever get into that much maintenance with it, after I bought it I started having tranny problems and got rid of it a few days later. I do know their 4x4 system is electronic, sensors detect wheel slippage and kick in the front tires when the rears slip in 4x4 mode.

I don't know if any other fluids would work better, but I have always stayed with brand fluids. Meaning, Polaris fluids in my Polaris, Kawasaki fluids in my Kawi, etc etc. That way if there are any problems they can't accuse you of using 'non-recommended' fluids.

I would definately check the hub/front gearcase fluids, might be a bit low or in need of a change.

Just my thoughts on the matter, could be wrong tho.

-Krait

 

Thanks, I'll think I'll try the fluids first, then the elctronic. I'm 99% sure that you are right on that front, with the elctronics. I think there is a magnet setup there at each hub to detect slippage. It sounds pretty complicated though.