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!

 

i would dissasemble the hub and inspect the rollers and cage. its a fairly simple design. make sure you put the right oil back in it also. take it apart and tell us what you find and well go from there.

 

I was already planning on doing some maintenance this weekend (tranny fluid, counterbalancer fluid, and front gearcase oil), I'll just add that on to the list. Can you tell me what exactly I need to look for? I'm not much of a gearhead. Thanks!

 

Hey Quad, Start by checking the fluid in the hubs. Turn the plug on the hub to 2 or 10 o'clock and see if fluid comes out. If ok Check for broken wires going to the coils. If that is ok check to see if the coil magnet engages with the key on and the machine up on stands. With the machine in AWD turn the back wheels and the front should turn. The one that does not turn check that coil to see if it is magnetized. If so Take the hub apart(easy) and check the plate that is between the coil and the roller cage. The ears may be broke off.

 

I have checked the fluid in the hubs, but my Haynes manual said to check it at 4 or 8 o'clock. I actually changed the fluid, but only refilled it at 4 o'clock with no result on the right front. Do I need to add more? Also, where are the wires/coil located. I quickly glanced for wires coming in to the back side of the wheel and I did not see any.

 

Quad, the wires should follow the strut down to the back of the strut where they enter in to the coil.

 

Quad forgot to add that you more than likely will have to add more oil to the hubs.

 

If the hubs were low or out of oil Ive taken them apart and cleaned them , then re-oiled and had them work.

 

Both hubs were very low when I changed them, I'd say only about 1-2 ounces of oil came out when I popped the hub cap off. I'll try what you guys have said. Thanks so much, and I'll let ya know what I find.

 

Okay, I've tried putting in more fluid, but to no avail. I also inspect the wire, and it appears to be intact. Can you tell me in greater detail how to tell if the coil is being magnetized? My wife told me I can't take this to the shop because I already had a new electrict start as well as recoil starter replaced (ouch). I'm only mildly mechanically incline, I'm no engineer, but not a complete retard either. Am I capable of doing this type of repair? I would like to do something this weekend, as I'm going to try and sell my wheeler and upgrade. Thanks for the help!

PS Forgot to add that the affected wheel also has a torn boot. Will this affect things? I'm going to be replacing that as well.