Well thanks for the good advice and tips so far... it is possible that there is pressure on it, because I just replaced a rear axle and I had to put the torque to the axle nut. I can't try rocking it at the moment, I have to get my wheels put back on first.

I will try rocking, and when I get a chance I will check the spot in the tranny where the gearshift goes.

Just an FYI, this machine has just under 10k miles on it.

 

10,000 miles on it!!!

time for a new atv or a complete clutch overhaul at the least!

 

Along the same lines as what switz was saying, not only would what he said about lubricating that area under the cover, also my question is you might have moisture or a small amount of water in there that might have frozen up...Do you keep the wheeler outside or is in in a garage...Just another idea as I've heard of this problem in the past...

John

 

I just bought this thing for $800 about a month ago, so I don't know much about it other than I had to replace the rear brakes and 2 axles. Starts and runs fine, no CEL codes.

I do keep it in a shed that basically just keeps the wind off it, but who knows if it had been kept inside before me.

I'm curious why I would need a clutch overhaul? That sounds expensive.

 

not really that expensive- easy to do yourself.

I say overhaul because I'm assuming you have 10,000 miles on the original clutch which is way overdue.
10k on a quad is a lot! I know there are atv's out there with more- but 10k is alot for an atv...

 

If you can't get it to a heated garage maybe try putting a small electric heater near where the shift linkage connects to the tranny...This way you can at least eliminate any frozen water in there...Just an idea...

John

 

Its weird to me that 10k is alot for an atv. Its expected that it will need servicing time to time, but I don't see why it can't still be a relatively reliable atv with a little TLC.

My dads 01 Foreman has 12k on it, the older ones have much more but they don't actually have the odometers so I don't exactly how many. They have all been relatively problem free, other than batteries and tires the foreman has needed a rear brake overhaul, and one of the older fourtrax needed a new starter.

I will try using a heat gun and see if it shifts easier. Definitely sounds like a good idea for me to get in there and lube things up and seal it well.

 

not saying it can't last 10k- but it's just not common to see atv clutches & motors last this long with out a major overhaul. I'd never buy a used atv with over 2k on it- 10k on an atv is like 150k on a ford truck- it'll run, but it's going to need some work soon. Parts wear out no matter what kind of maintenance you do. Personally, I'll never keep an atv past 5k- just too unreliable on a 500 mile weekend trail ride.
If you search the forums you'll find an interesting thread about atv milage.

 

I just have to argue the mileage thing... maybe we've just had really good luck, but we have 7 atv's, most are honda's, one is a 94 yamaha moto 4. They all get used for ranch work, have tons of miles, and really haven't had any big problems. The Yamaha has seen it all... it has been rolled over 20 times easily, had cows crawling on top of it (no lie), pulled 800 lb of dead weight a couple times, and it has to have close to 30k on it, if not more... it just got put at the back of the shed last year because it needs the carb rebuilt. Still runs good, just way too rich. The only other problem its had is the stator went out.

So I dunno, I guess maybe 10k is alot of miles on a Sportsman just due to the fact that its so much more of a complex machine, so many more parts to wear out. We will see how it goes with it, the way I see it if it lasts even a year, I got my $800 out of it, the rest is icing on the cake.

Is there any way to visually tell whether I need to replace that clutch or not? Hard to say, it could have been done already.

 

10,000 Miles is not that bad on an atv we have a honda rancher 350 with 22,689 on it and would not bother me at all to go on a weekend ride also if you put 500 miles a weekend what buy a new one every 6 months if it wont run 10,000 mile with reg. up keep its not worth having