[Mrgoodwrench35]

Has anyone had to replace their rear drive axle on one of these yet? I have a torn boot for the rear cv. Still plenty of grease on the joint, must have just happened the last time out. No noise out of the joint so I was going to replace the boot. I looked at parts and i can get the whole joint with the boot, grease, and both clamps for $50. Just the boot and clamps are 20. For the extra 30 bucks, should I just replace the whole joint or just the boot?

I assume the entire swing arm has to be pulled to change it? Is that correct? Has anyone here done this before or maybe know where I could find a service manual? I'm pretty mechanically inclined and I think I can swing it but I'm a little unsure of how the axle itself comes apart. I'm sure Ill see it once its off in my hand but any info you guys could throw my way would be greatly appreciated.

 

[creed82]

I'm not much help. My 2016 was a straight-axle Rancher. But, I tore a front boot at one point, and when it all came down to it, seemed like replacing the entire axle (which comes with new boot) was not a bad option, as money and peace of mind go. Also, have you looked into better skid protection? Ricochet Off Road seems to be the best I've come across. My boot was torn because of poor protection from the factory. After the Ricochet skid plates, no more tears.

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

I should clarify that mine is a solid rear axle as well. The torn boot is on the rear driveshaft. And after looking at the parts breakdown a little closer, its a universal joint, not a cv.

I'm surprised this happened since my wife is the one to ride this machine. Its got around 200 miles of easy riding and already in need of repair. The rubber that boot is made from seems awfully flimsy. I ride a 10 year old brute force with factory axles and the boots are all good. 2000 miles of hard riding too. I'm a little disappointed :sad:sad

 

[SamUK]

Your right, swing arm removal time. It’s actually very easy, inleave the wheels on the axle, jack up the ATV under the engine somewhere, undo shock bolt, then swing arm bolts, don’t forget to move your axle breather pipes too. Once your undone just wheel it out.

The CV boot replacement is self explanatory really

 

[alloutdoors]

I should clarify that mine is a solid rear axle as well. The torn boot is on the rear driveshaft. And after looking at the parts breakdown a little closer, its a universal joint, not a cv.

A stick ripped a boot on a former Polaris Ranger of mine and the dealer repaired it for a reasonable price, think $100. If in doubt, I would give the local Honda dealer a call or better yet, pop in and tell them what is going on and get a price... Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised....

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

I have this strange inability to let other people do things for me. The idea of someone else working on one of my machines makes my stomach turn. Nobody cares as much as you do about your own stuff. It is for that reason that I always just learn to do things myself. This task I'm more than qualified for, should be no problem.

The dealer I purchased the machine from (brand new, paid cash) didn't even care enough to put all the parts on when they did the final assembly. I had to go back to get numerous plastic rivets that were left off, and a list of other stuff that wasn't assembled correctly. Needless to say, I wouldn't take the machine back to them if they were going to fix it for free.

 

[_Wilson_]

I have this strange inability to let other people do things for me. The idea of someone else working on one of my machines makes my stomach turn. Nobody cares as much as you do about your own stuff.

Exactly^^^^^^^

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

I got the swing arm removed this morning. It was a fairly simple task but I'm unsure of how to remove the actual u joint from the output shaft of the transmission. Does it have a lock ring that I have to remove or is it just a detente ring on the end of the shaft holding it on? Either way, it wont just pull off. I considered trying to tap it off with a hammer or maybe a slide hammer but thought I'd ask here first. I can't really tell from the parts breakdown whats holding it in place. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

I've looked at the parts breakdown again and still don't see whats holding this u joint assembly to the transmission. Anybody?

 

[billy5221]

If its a SRA axle and the shaft has room to move, it just pops out, might have to give it a couple of good jerks, thats the way my 08 rancher is

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

Thank you billy. I guess I just wan't pulling hard enough. I tapped it with a hammer a few times and it popped right off. Bob (UPS driver) dropped off the parts today and I'm headed out to re-assemble. Thanks again to everyone for the helpful suggestions.

 

[billy5221]

Your welcome, glad to hear you got, hope everything else works out for you