i have a 2006 polaris sportsman 700 efi. I am not comfortable with AWD system. i carry a "heavy" load on the back and in doing so the front will plow when turning. i want the front wheels to dig not plow when turning. i was told there was a kit availble to convert it to 4wd. ANY HELP PLEASE. thanks

 

Hey, Summerjack did you try to adjust the rear shocks to a stiffer setting? Plow-steer will happen even with a button operated locker if the rear is loaded too heavy. The system, if working properly, will make the front wheels turn once there is 1/5th turn difference between the rears and the front. Pretty seamless from my experience.

 

You won't be able to turn the polaris if it was fulltime 4x4. Its a locked front end, not like the other ATV's which are 3wd.

 

You guys are both right. You couldn't steer a locked 4x4, and even if you could it wouldn't turn with all the weight on the back. Only 2/3 of the load should be on the back and the other 1/3 needs to be on the front.

 

Put chains on the front and the fronts will knife into the turn and not plow even if the fronts are free wheeling. Odd problem I found just the weight of the plow was enough to make the fronts tires knife in for steering in free wheel mode.

 

i am going to adjust the rear shocks to a stiffer setting.

plan: get the rear end off the ground.

put a big pair of channel locks on the "dial" and twist the "dial" around.

is this an acceptable way to adjust the rear shocks?

thanks

 

Some people have used channel locks instead of a spanner and as long as you're careful you'll be okay. After you jack up the rear end spray WD-40 or liquid wrench between the shocks and adjusters. Go have a cup of coffee while it soaks in. Spray it again and start twisting. It may be easier if you take the wheels off too. It gives you more room to work. Good luck.

 

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

Some people have used channel locks instead of a spanner and as long as you're careful you'll be okay. After you jack up the rear end spray WD-40 or liquid wrench between the shocks and adjusters. Go have a cup of coffee while it soaks in. Spray it again and start twisting. It may be easier if you take the wheels off too. It gives you more room to work. Good luck.</end quote></div>

thank you. how many steps do you recommend i start with?

 

For your situation I reccomend going all the way. If you find out it's too much it will be easier to back the adjustment off than it is to tighten it up again if it's too loose.

 

why would anyone ever want to convert an awd as they are best feature vs 4x3 drive. agreed if you were ever to have a locked front end like the rear, you might as well forget trying to turn the wheel for steering. heavier springs or stiffen them up.