I'm a relative newbie to ATV's. Considering buying a 2000 Scrambler 500 4X4, but noticed that it had fluid leaking down the inside of the right tire. The owner (seller) removed the filler plug from the outside of the hub and rotated the wheel and it was empty. Would like opinions on what may have caused the leak (a seal maybe?) and how bad it might be the problem might be. Any advice appreciated.

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was it water from a wash?? was it greasy??

 

Sounds like a hub seal. They are only like $10 and not that hard to replace

 

It was definitely a petroleum fluid. Smelled like motor oil.

 

that sounds like it would be hub fluid that lubes the front drive system..just needs a new hub seal..

 

It definately sounds like the inner hub seal as already stated and/or strut casting seal. If the inner hub seal is bad, chances are that the wear sleeve is as well which is another $20 I think. If the wear sleeve has an intolerable groove in it and you only replace the seal, you'll find yourself doing it all over pretty soon.

 

Sounds like you have a leaking seal all right. You should get a shop manual before you tear into it, you don't want to just plunge helter-skelter in there and start messing with the 4WD mechanism. I would definitley get it fixed before 12/23, since you might have a need to use it on after that... I also wouldn't let anyone who thinks an electrical short is a "chemical reaction" work on the hub. Or anyone who built there house out of styrofoam...

 

WHAT??

Welcome to the forums..

 

I don't think someone with your lack of experience on ATV's should be responding to a serious post. Wait till our Scrambler 500 smokes your puny 300ex, new clutch or not.
Your Father-in-Law

 

Many thanks to all who responded to my question concerning the leaking Scrambler 500 front hub. I did buy it, repaired it as suggested in several posts and all seems to be working well.
Bill [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]