My friend has an 05 ( I think) Sportsman 500 HO. He has put 4 CV joints/boots in it in 2 years. He has tried one new axle (gorilla) and he does know what he is doing in a shop... he was a mechanic for the local Honda dealership (cars not ATVs). He even went so far as to put it on an alignment rack and it showed as close to strait as you can get. He is getting ready to just dump it and get something else, but I told him I would ask here.

Does anyone have any idea what could be damaging these boots/joints. The last boot lasted less than 20 miles on a very easy trail.

Thanks

 

What kind of trouble is he having.........I mean like ripped,torn,or spilt at the ribs?
Are the clamps too tight and cutting the rubber?
Is the enough clearance around the steel clamp when it is turning?
He should put is up in the air and run the Quad awhile and see what is happening in my view
He should not be having trouble like that ....

I have over 2100 miles on my 2006 Sp 450 all kinds of trails and factory PLASTIC guards and no Boot trouble yet!!!!

With two Quads I have a total of 16 CV boots!!..He has...Something wrong for sure!!
........Caper.......

 

Is it always the same joint/boot?

 

The boots are torn on the inner joint down in the bottom of the ribs. The factory joint exploded once and he has a hole in the fender where a ball came through. They do not rub on anything and the bands seem good. None of the dealers around here have any idea what could be causing this.

 

Is there a lift kit on this quad? If so, how much?

 

YOU CAN'T LEAVE ANY AIR TRAPPED IN THE BOOT,I SEEN ONE POP IN 15MIN.......MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE CLARIFIED THE BUTTER.............................

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: jumbofrank

Is there a lift kit on this quad? If so, how much?</end quote></div>

no lift. The machine is pretty much stock with the exception of the Gorilla axle he put in.