does anyone know how to remove starter motor from my 2003 Polaris sportsman 500 HO? I have disconnected the 2 bolts in real starter housing and both + and - wires. If it is just splined into drive gear shouln't it just pop out? Does the drive gear have to come out of the housing with it and if so how does that happen without removing the recoil case etc.?

 

I know on my Xplorer 400 i just replaced the starter and to get the starter out you have to remove the recoil housing and there are two bolts in there that hold the starter in. I think the sportsman is the same.

 

When I remove the bolts for the recoil housing hopefully the recoil spring stays intack.

 

The 500 starter is on top of the motor, the 400 is on the bottom of the motor and yes, the 400 needs the recoil removed, but the 500 does NOT need it removed to get the starter off.


There is an oring on the recoil end of the starter that can hang up on you. Tap the starter out from the right side and it should come out.

 

Thanks 94 Harley, must be o ring is stuck since I have been prying on the what I call right side, facing the recoil housing side. I will try some more since your suggestion. When the starter is removed will the drive gears stay intact within housing? Thanks Again, Drew

 

Yep. the bendix will not move. just pull the starter.

 

Bottom starter bolt will not pull out but will disconect. The top bolt will come out then you just rotate the starter until the bottom bolt is on top and can be removed.

You will have to remove the air box to work.