I'm trying to figure out what all parts I need to replace to get the wobble fixed. It's a 96 Sportsman 500 with 3300 miles on it. Here is the diagram...

http://www.partsland.com/index.cgi?N...EAR-SUSPENSION

So I bought new wheel bearings (#44) and the bushings marked #36 in the diagram. I'm really thinking though that the bearing carrier (#44) might need replaced too. The way the suspension seems to work is that the carrier is positioned on top by the bushings (#9) and on the bottom by the spacers (#38). The spacers are wider than the width of the bushinged area and the fit into a small recessed are on the bearing carrier. There is a lot of area to move around if that's all that is holding it there, and I"m thinking that the bearings might not be as bad as just that the carrier has a lot of wear on it.

The reason I'm doubting myself is that this seems like a really dumb design if that's the case. That spacer would be hinging directly on bare aluminum, which of course it would wear quickly. This isn't even a greasable area.

What am I missing?

 

unless the bolts came loose on the lower bushings there should not be any wear in the carrier. the bolts hold the inner bushing tight against the carrier, the outers pivot araound the inners. its pretty evident if theres wear on it, the recesses wont be round anymore. if not then replace them. one more thing on your quad since its a 96 it should have cardans (u-joints) on the rear axles. make sure to use the recommended grease on these. cheap grease will cause them to fail sooner than normal.

 

I say your play is in the bearings. We replaced the front wheel bearings on my buddies 700 because the front wheel wobbled. Had negative camber just sitting there. So we replaced just the wheel bearing and that fixed it.
Chad
Indy, IN