Got it. I don't have a manual so I guess I need to lay hold of one. Is it a big job to remove/replace the starter?

Thanks

 

It wasn't for me,BUT I had an atv lift! The manual will tell you to remove the clutches and backing plate,along with the recoil housing(two bolts there to remove) to get the starter out,BUT some members with GOOD hands have done it with out clutch removal(the obstacle is the back starter bolt on the bracket that is a pain to remove! I did it the easy way for me,that is remove the clutches and the rear starter bracket just stares you in the face ! By the way you would need a front drive clutch puller (available everywhere for about 30bucks or less!) Get the manual and you decide which way to remove it! OPT

 

before I had a bench to put ATV's on, I used to stand my 2 stroke Polaris's up on the back wheels to work on the starters.

 

Thanks - I don't have a stand, but I do have a chain hoist. Maybe that will work to get the front end up.

Can anyone point me to the right manual? I've noticed that there's a few different ones out there. And even though they may cover the right year, they may not cover the right model (96 Sportsman 400). Too, I'm wondering if there is one available as a pdf download.

Still trying to figure out if this is too big a project for a noob like me. I guess I need to see a play-by-play to get an idea. Thanks again.

 

250,350 or 400 all basically have the same starter set up. Any of these manuals will help. Just have a friend help you lift up the front end and rest it on its tail. Then its easiest to remove the bash plate and you will see the starter and the bracket exposed.If you can get the rear bolt out of the bracket,then the hard parts over. Then you can pull the recoil housing,remove the other two bolts inside and the starter and bendix will pull out. You may be able to bend the bracket a little to get the starter and bendix out. Good luck OPT

 

Thanks - that was very helpful. It helps put it in perspective for me. Any tricks/tips on how to approach that rear bolt?

 

PATIENTLY! If you can break it loose, lift your kid up(unless you have small fingers) to take the small bolt out. I even made a deeper 10 mm socket wrench until I said screw it, and realized for ME it was just as quick to remove the clutches in about the same time I was screwing with the bolt! OPT

 

those starters are the whole reason I bought a set of metric gearwrenches...takes a 10mm btw. I always had a hard time figuring out what Polaris was thinking when they decided to put the starter in front of the motor at the bottom, the 2nd part of the ATV to hit the mud, snow and whatever else gets run through.