Ok, don't flame me for this one, I am new to ATV's....

That being said, I just bought a 2006 Sportsman 500, the right rear outside cv boot is torn and you can see grease on the outside of the boot. The cv joint does make some noise. I know this needs to be replaced, the questions are:
how long can I drive it like this?
what happens if it totally fails?
is it better to repair just that joint, or spring the $$ for the whole new shaft with joints?

Thanks in advance for the info!

 

I wouldn't drive it until it was fixed. When you take it apart and clean it up you might find all you need is a new boot and some grease. If you keep driving it you will probibly need more. There are lots of threads on here of how to replace boots, CV's and complete shafts. I would look at a few of the threads before you get started.

 

welcome to the forum. you will find all kinds of differnt opinions on this subject and as mentioned post including a sticky thread. you will have tyo replace the joint some time as usually when they start clicking there already damaged some. as far as driving it i've seen people drive them until the joint either completely seizes the wheel right up or breaks something. if it just started you may get away w/ a little riding, but w/ a ripped boot you will get all kinds of crap in there to make the joint alot worse quickly. i wouldn't replace the whole shaft. just buy a new cv joint and boot to replace the out board one unless you can find the whole assembly cheaper.

 

Here is how you take a CV join apart to clean one. YouTube - polaris cv joint disassembly front axle scrambler 400-500 4x4

One look will tell you if you need a CV joint.

here is a good video on changing a boot. YouTube - Changing ATV CV boot on 2003 Arctic Cat 400 Automatic

Its a Arctic Cat but there all changed more or less the same.

 

Thanks for the info, especially the video links. I think it was mostly fear of the unknown. Now after doing some more research and watching videos, it does not seem bad at all to pull that apart and replace just the one joint. I will probably try to tackle that tonight.
I will at least take it apart and see what the issue is, get some fresh grease on there and inspect the boot really well.

Thanks again!

 

I tell people do not even get into ATVing if you don,t want to change a CV boot.

 

I got a new boot kit from the local dealer. No problems getting it all torn down, the hardest part was knocking off the outside cv joint to put the new boot on.
I cleaned and inspected everything, the hub part seemed a little worn and so did the *****, but the cage looked good. It doesnt feel all that smooth when you move it by hand and still sounds like it is popping so I guess I need a new one after all.

Oh well, at least I got the new boot on there, so that should help a little. And also gained a lot of experience!!!

 

Good for you.......Now you will be able to answer Questions for other riders and friends also..............Caper.......