I have a 1998 banshee and the water pump went out on it, the gear on the back side of the pump stripped out and melted in the bearing. Is there any aftermarket parts for the water pump and are they better, because I ended up having to rebuild my whole top end.

 

Cascade makes an a aluminum impeller, but as far as the drive gear, I think you are stuck with the plastic. Actually almost all moto bikes run the water pump with a plastic gear. My guess is that it helps reduce harmonics that can cause the pump to cavitate. The cascade pump is aluminum instead of the stock plastic pump. Hope this helps a little. Usually those gears just crack teeth, however I did have one that crack right to the hub, but didn't come apart.
eric

 

The same thing just happend to my 97, I went with the stock one because it was much less. when I put it back togeather I put the side case in the oven at 170 degrees for about 30 min. and put the bearing in a zip lock bag and put it in the freezer, then used a wood dowel and tapped the bearing right in. good luck, if money is not a issue go for the aftermarket impeller.

2000 400ex
1997 banshee
2 1996 blasters