Hello all!

have a pretty nice, at least IMO, big bear 350 4x4 and have a few questions.




front has some battle damage and the bumper is bent in a touch.




Does anyone know if this would interfere with mounting a winch or would I have to try to straighten it out? CAN I straighten that out? just wrap a chain on it and other side around a tree and give it a couple of tugs in reverse?

As it sits there are no apparent issues I have seen. Should there be anything I need to keep an eye out with this model? No hour meter or odo so no idea of how much its been used but seems that its a sound ride, no pulling...good power delivery and no issues with up or down shifting.

Thanks!
D

 

Don't see why it couldn't be bent back. The only drawback is the metal is fatigued, so another good shot on it and it's going to be worse.

Bent one of the ears on mine before and bent it back. Next shot I took on it, it folded like paper. At least I got 2 hits on it before I had to replace it.

 

I regularly pull the whole front bull bar, rack and plastic back out on Quads, by tying it to something solid and setting off backwards. Take it slow, and cut power as soon as your rope is tight, not enough? Drive backwards a little quicker next time, continue increasing until it pulls out flat. Why a rope? It doesn't dig into the bull bar, a chain would.

 

I use a come-a-long. It is a lot easier to control. When reverseing you always need to go a little more to get it straight, then all of a sudden you went to far.

 

thanks for all the replies.

regardless of whichever I try if I DO screw it up I can just weld it up later with the welder we have at work.

Thanks!
D

 

things to look at.
Check and change fluids in drive shafts. Change your oil. check oil radiator and see if its plugged. Inspect your boots on your axles

 

yeah cleaned and checked the boots on the cv's and were good.
did some turns at full lock and didn't hear any clicking like you would in a car...question is WOULD you hear that on an ATV?
oil-cooler was clean, but I hit it with the pressure washer anyway to make sure the fins were clean.

got an oil filter on the way with a new spark plug and that will be taken care of this weekend.

thanks!
D

 

"didn't hear any clicking like you would in a car...question is WOULD you hear that on an ATV"

Yes, very loudly, nothing to muffle the sound on a Quad.

 

okay hate to sound like a noob here...but I got the oil filter...and I guess I am used to more automotive sized stuff...but good lord my shot glasses are that size.


as for the gear lube for the front and rear diffs the book calls for 80-90 W in the rear diff and 80-90 with LSD friction modifier for the front. is there a preferential type of modifier you all use?

thanks!
D

 

I would place a 2x4 behind the plate and another on the front side. The front one you should place a spacer on each side to move it out from the frame.

Then, you can use a large C-clamp to sqeeze the rear one closer to the front. Another option is to drill holes thru both and use a long bolt to pull the bumper forward.

Oil, I believe I used mobil 1 or another brand which states it can be used in ltd slip applications and I never used any other additive.