I posted this on another ATV forum as well, but this one seems to get more traffic.

Yesterday I installed a Pure Polaris rear bumper on my 2010 X2 (who knew I'd even need one?). What is with the plain zinc coded hardware that doesn't even match the original that came with the ATV? Silver hex bolts instead of nice, black, rounded ones? All the original hardware is corrosion resistant in one way or another, why couldn't they send the good stuff with their accessories?

I called Polaris and the woman basically said "did you check with your dealer?" and "sorry....anything else?" Nice customer service guys. Makes me glad I bought an OEM part.

 

I say bite the bullet and send it back. will cost you to send it back but shows how disatisfied you are.

then maybe get one of these

Polaris X2 rear bumper

 

That's a good looking bumper...but it cost 2x as much as the Polaris did. I'm mad...but not THAT mad. For about $15 I can probably find "proper" hardware.

Thanks for the info though!

 

just remember every thing is getting cheaper but more expensive.lol

 

I or we feel your pain! Yes many of us know their hardware well! The good thing is that it fits nicely to a socket and snap it on a power drill and it makes installing the rear bumper much much easier. Try it with just socket wrenches and a little more challenging b/c Polaris likes to make those self tapping bolts buggered on the ends and its hard to make the first thread. - IMO

When doing maintenance enough times, you will become intimately familiar based on removing/installing/removing/installing (bumper touch ups etc.) I will say though from experience of rolling mine, the hardware along with the bumper has PROVEN to be solid!

Regards,

R'

 

I just used a tap on the holes and replaced the hardware that came with my bumpers with stainless steel. I don't care at all that it isn't wrinkle finish black - it's stainless.

If you just paint or slap some wrinkle finish of some hardware it is just going to be chipped or cracked during install and flake or rust off.

Stainless!

 

True! I have the black powder coated finish and can attest to it rusting once you develop a paint rub. I have had to touch it up repeatedly and it always rubs off no matter what I use.

Regards,

R'

 

HOLY CRAP ! They actually had the nerve to supply hardware that wasn't color co-ordinated? Whats next? Winter air in summer tires? I sure hope they don't go that far.

 

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!

 

Amen Matt. I'm a fan of SS Hardware too.
It doesn't rust, and it's much easier to get apart.
You just need to make sure you use anti-seize compound when assembling.
I just Drill and re-tap to American SAE threads.
The majority of the SS Hardware that you buy is at least Grade 5,
verses the grade 2 or less you get with accessories.
It isn't just The Polaris accessories that have gone this way either.
Besides....
Why put zinc plated or plain hardware on a vehicle that you know is going to get wet and muddy?
I despise crappy Chinese hardware.
My company had a SERIOUS product problem
that was traced back to someone cutting costs by buying crap hardware.
It's worth the small added cost to go SS.