I own a 2001 Scrambler 500 4x4 with less than 20 hrs. Yesterday while riding in snow, sand, and water on a creek bed i became stuck in a snowbank with soft sand under the surface. I tried going forward and reverse, only twice each way, when I realized that I needed help getting out. I was pulled out by another rider and when I went to continue on my quad moved about 5 feet and slipped out of gear.
When it wouldn't go into forward or reverse I knew something was wrong. Upon closer inspection, my brother-in-law and I saw the problem. My tranny cracked in two different places!!! How could this happen? I didn't hear any strange noises at all. We had been riding all day with no problems. Is this covered under full-coverage insurance? Has this been a problem with anyone else? I am dreading this next question, how much is this going to cost me if it's not covered and where can I find a replacement transmission. Please help.
Shattered in South Dakota

 

Sorry to hear about your luck

If your lucky it is just the casing if not the whole thing is 999.99 go to partsland to see what you need all prices are there too . I have heard of this happening but thought polaris had fixed the problem cause I have not heard of it happening for a while . As far as insurance goes I have no idea but you say you have full coverage so I would asume they would fix it(let's pray) here is the link to parts land

Parts Land

 

I'm not sure what transmission brackets come on the 2001's, but there are 2 styles. One style is a cheap thin bracket that will allow movement and will cause transmission breakage. This happened to my brother's Scrambler. The other style is a THICK L-shaped bracket that will solve this problem.

Our dealer fixed my brother's free of charge. This is a problem that is KNOWN to Polaris and they fixed his trans and installed the new brackets. They didn't bother to do a recall, but according to our dealer if this happens and you complain, Polaris will pay to get it fixed. We are good friends with our dealer and I'm sure he was very helpful in getting it fixed. If you have the thin brackets, GO TO YOUR DEALER AND COMPLAIN. If he doesn't offer to help, call Polaris and complain some more.

 

i have a 2001 scran. went through 2 trans cases. first one went 2 mts after i got it
fixed it under war. seen the bill $900. next one just 3 mts ago and $300 just for parts
always worried about the trans. now

 

Gotta love full-coverage insurance [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] No questions asked, they just cut me a check. Thanks for your help.

 

Be sure to get the upgraded tranny for the 2002 and later transmission. The right hand case is much beefier around the output shaft, and has a chain guard on it. You should be able to look at it on www.partsland.com. That is the only thing that changed, and it will bolt into your 2001.

Waylan

 

<Be sure to get the upgraded tranny for the 2002 and later transmission.>

All parts were superceded when the change was made to the beefier transmission casehalf. You are getting the right advice. Get the aluminum trans brackets. Have your dealer call into Polaris and ask for some relief. I think you'll get help.

Remember, this case failure was caused by jumping and weak tranny brackets, no because you got stuck. If there is anyone else out there with a 2001 that has not failed a trans, get the aluminum brackets. The sooner you pay now, the less you'll pay later....

 

The tranny on my '99 has been great and I hope it stays that way. I jump it high and burry it in deep mud and sand. I think what keeps it alive is a loose chain. I keep more than 1" of travel in it always.

What kind of insurance do you have, from who, and how much does it cost? I pay only $18 per year in addition to everything else on my insurance coverage. That is for everything but I often wonder how good it's really going to be when I need it. "Oh, we can't cover that because..."