Can and how do I put a manual 4wd lock switch on my 03 Sportsman. Sometimes I dont like the rear wheels slipping prior to the front.
If I do so will it steer ok?

 

Captain...
I dont think you can do this....but hopefully some of the vets will answer you ...


JP

 

If you do a search, this comes up all the time. Due to the nature of Polaris's system, you cannot electrically lock it in awd, nor would you want to. You are right, steering would be near impossible.

Tyler

 

The major reason is the front and rear are geared slightly different. This difference allows the fronts to automaticly unlock , when its not needed. Also the front of the polaris isnt a differential, the two sides are locked together, and one side cant spin at a different rate than the other side. Unless you were in some slippery stuff, it would be a real arm workout.

 

Guys, Thanks.

Gotta love these forums!

 

Hello,

I did a test a couple of weekends ago, and I thought that I proved to myself that holding the yellow button down (the one that's normally used to engage AWD when in reverse) caused me to be in AWD immediately when going forward without having to wait for the rear wheels to spin. I was trying this because sometimes on a steep hill, the front end comes way up on my Scrambler when the fronts engage with the rears spinning.

Can anyone else confirm this?

Thanks,
Lorrinl

 

leelorr, it may have seemed like it was working, but holding Rev Override won't give you awd on demand. When you put it in reverse, it is like it turned off the AWD switch (opened the circuit) automatically. Holding Rev OR in reverse just temporarily completes the awd circuit.

The awd system is engaged mechanically, not electrically, so nothing you do with the wiring could give you On/Off control of the awd. I have a game soon, I can't explain the awd system tonight. I will later, or maybe a nice person dropping by would be so kind as to explain it.

Tyler

 

Tyler,

OK, thanks for the input.


Take care,
leelorr

 

Alright, I'm back. We tied 2-2, but it was a good team, so we're happy.

When I say hubs, I am referring to the hubs on the wheels on 04 and earlier, and the front gearcase (actually just a hub in the center) on 04.5 and later.

If you notice on your quad, the front axles are always turning when the back axles are turning. They are always connected, but keep in mind that the front axles are turning 20% slower than the rears.

When in 2WD, the front hubs never engage. The back wheels can go as fast as they want; the fronts will never engage (if working properly).

When you put it in AWD, you are not engaging the hubs, you are arming them so they can engage. The front hubs engage if the axle inside them begins turning faster than the wheel outside it. It is like a one-way bearing, if you are familar with those. Remember, the front axles are turning 20% slower than the rear, so under normal, full-traction driving conditions, the hubs are not engaged. The front wheels are turning faster than the axles, so the hubs are not engaged. This 20% difference allows for slight variations in axle:wheel speed while turning or anything else that changes wheel speed.

Once the back wheels lose traction, they begin to spin and speed up. As they do, the front axles also speed up. When the wheels spin 1/5 of a turn (that 20% difference), the front axle "catches up" to the front hub and it engages. Once traction is regained, the front wheel resumes its normal speed of 20% faster than the front axle, and the hub releases its grip on the axle and disengages.

This system is very well-designed, allowing amazing 4-wheel traction when needed, but unobstructed 2-wheel drive maneuverability when extra traction is not needed.

Because the system engages mechanically, when the wheels lose traction, it would be very difficult to modify the engagement. It is impossible to use an electronic switch to convert the system to part-time 4wd (all four wheels engaged when you want it.)


I hope this helps, it is hard to explain. I need a good thing to compare it to, but havent thought of anything.

Tyler

 

So no one's going to read my beautiful post? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

lol
Tyler