I have a 2000 Sportsman 500. The front end is bound up (kinda like when you use the reverse override in 4 wheel drive only a lot worse). Backing up wont fix it. So I put the quad on the lift and took all 4 wheels off. I started it and put it in low range, upon giving it throttle to make the hubs spin, I noticed the front left suspension moves up and down about 1/2" to 1" (almost like its hitting a bump). It has me stumped. I have the manual and made sure the hubs were working/installed correctly. Could it be a bad half shaft, CV joint or universal? It doesn't make any noise.

 

Hit anything hard? Is hub and rotor moving/wobbling? Have had hubs and couple spindle ends on cvs bent.but usually does more damage. Grab shaft area behind strut,does cv feel loose/slack? All 4 bearings good torqued to 12' lbs? Is this what you are describing? Suspension moves up and down like you said? This only thing can think of offhand to check.

 

Yes in fact my father who is 61 years of age hit a stump with it. He hit on the left front hard enough to bend the center of the wheel and also the a-arm slightly. He replaced the a-arm and wheel.

Hubs and rotors dont wobble. Bearings feel good.

The hit was on the left but the right suspension is whats moving up and down. I am sure the impact caused it we just have not figured out what else is damaged yet.

Could a bent left CV cause the right to act abnormal?

Thanks for your help!

 

Sorry late getting back to you! Was right side OK also before wreck? Check right side cv assy also! check for possible strut cartridge shaft damage,check plastic bushings at top of struts,are gearcase bearings loose/sloppy on either side/ As far as left side causing right side problems ,I've found after repairing wreck jobs anything possible! also check for tierod shaft damage.

 

I think I am having the same issue as this guy:

http://forums.atvconnection.co...R_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear


I pulled both front drive shafts off yesterday. The right front CV joint seemed really stiff. Also while removing the right drive shaft the cv-joint came off the end of the shaft (bad clip). The left drive shaft seems good. Inboard universals feel good on both.

I feel there are 2 separate issues here. The left front is stuck in AWD (perhaps bad armature plate?), The right front suspension jumping while on the lift (perhaps faulty or stiff CV joint?).

Let me know what you think.

 

Sounds like you solved your problem! Armature plates can magnetize,and if cv not free to rotate can cause vibration. Good luck. Remove boots from stiff cvs,check for cracks/damage,clean,regrease,see if moves freely. Good luck.

 

Actually you solved it! I am still waiting on parts, so I will post whether its healed or not.

Babbits Online and Bike Bandit must be the slowest shippers in the world...

 

I hit a stump yesterday on the left (driver's) side, pretty hard. Didn't notice any problems, so I kept riding the trails... when I got home, I took it off the trailer and she was pulling reaqlly hard to the left. I notice the left tire was cocked out to the right a little bit... reminded me of a lazy eye.. I took the wheel off but didnt notice anything bent/busted.
There's a lot I don't know.., such as whats "normal" vs. too much play.
Should the front wheels have a little "spread" to them? If I'm not making sense, I'll try to get some photos.

 

I installed the new armature plates and sure enough it goes in and out of 4x4 now better than it ever has. The front end doesn't get all bound up either after using 4x4 in reverse.

The issue of the suspension bumping up and down on the front right did not get resolved, even after replacing the CV joint. I did not notice it while riding so I guess when/if something actually breaks I'll fix it then.