Going to hpoefully purchase a 99 500 Scrambler tommorow and was just wondering if there are any things I should look out for before I purchase. Thanks in advance for the help.

Jarrod Holland

 

The stock steering bushing and outer tie-rods are very poorly designed pieces. If the steering is loose, one or both of those will be at fault. Other than that, no complaints.

 

cheap to fix those problems. and it isn't like it will cause you not to be able to ride home or anything like that.

 

I just bought a 2000 sc500 and love it.But i have a little slake in my steering, and another thing my steering fells weak when i like stand up and push down on each side of handlebars.I there any aftermarket stuff to fix it.Other than than that i love it.Hope u get it.

 

That's caused by a steering stem that's not as strong as it probably should be. Hotseat sells a nice strong chromoly replacement, but its not cheap.

 

I just want to know is it anything i need to worry about?

 

If I was buying it I would check out all the little things...

Check the oil level, and what it looks like. Make sure the transmission has fluid. What about coolant? Check all of the grease fittings and make sure they have grease. Look at the airfilter and see what it's like.

If your steering is loose or "flexy" it could be a few things. Loose is usually because of the tie-rod ends, or the lower steering stem support. Having side to side or front to back play in the handlebars can be the top of the steering stem flexing, but is usually just the top steering support. You can tighten the bolts that hold it in place, or remove the metal support and bend it back into shape then tighten it up.

 

Not to get off the subject but....In regards to the slop in the steering. My 98 Scrambler 500 has always had this condition too. I think it is just the way that Polaris designed it. I was concerned the first 500 miles or so and then I just started riding it and forget about it. When something breaks then I will fix it. I wouldn't want to have that slop there if I was on the GNCC series or anything, but for me and my buddies tearing it up all day long I think it is fine. Just my two cents worth. By the way, the slop that I am talking about is up and down. Stand up on the quad and pull up like you are trying to pull a wheelie. The handlebars move up and down slightlty...actually it is probably the stem. Anyway's it has always been like this and I just forget about it. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

The up and down play can be a combination of the upper support loose and lower support worn, but most likely it is the spacers at the bottom of the steering stem. Some of that can be taken out by tightening the nut at the bottom, but to get it right you will have to put in more washers or replace the spacer. The spacer is a cheesy little rubber deal that tears and falls off easy causing this play.

 

The stock stem s perty weak on the 99 sc 500, I was at the dealer today and I see the 2000 model has a beefier stem and a metal bearing on the bottom, looks like a better set up. I also noticed the tie rods bolt side by side instead of one on bottom and one in the middle of the frog. Does anyone know why they changed this? I bent my stem several times in roll overs and now it is beyond straighting and is hard to turn left(turns right fine)so I think it is time for a HS replacment. Can you put the inner rods side by side(like on the 2000) or would they not line up with the struts properly, I noticed that on struts the tie rods bolt on at different levels.