AAAHHHHH!!! Is this normal?!?!? pls watch video

[DesertSteve]

Down hill on 2012 sportsman 500 ho - YouTube

Down hill on 2012 sportsman 500 ho - YouTube

I have searched for threads about this and found so many that sound similar, but not quite the same...with a mixed bag of answers. So I recorded some video and I would like everyone to tell me if their machine does this or not.

When I am going down a steep hill, I get a knocking, clanging type of sound coming from somewhere in the engine or trans. It only makes this noise when I am riding the brake down a steep hill. If I let off the brake it seems to stop. There is nothing bouncing so I cant understand what in the world would be making it do this. It also makes a loud whining, which stops if i crack the throttle. I have read threads that say it is the trans "freewheeling". I don't mind the noise, I just want to be sure everything is ok. If not, I would want to take it in to the dealer before something worse happens.

Also, is there supposed to be only one rear brake? I have no brake on the left rear. Normal? This is a 2012 sportsman 500 ho

[curtiscapk]

My 400 sport was making same noise. Loose chain was causing it.Not sure on a sportsman though.

[jordaman17]

the whinining is normal with no throttle down hill, yes you should only have 1 rear brake. thats all i know.

[The700Dude]

the clanking sounds to me like a chain jumping teeth?

[DesertSteve]

The thing is, it ONLY does this at slow speed down hill whill applying heavy braking. It does not make any clanking or clicking or any other noise when I jump on the throttle. The is really very little or even no load being appied to the belts, chains, axles, etc when it makes this noise. I have read threads about it making a noise when you blip the throttle, and they said it was caused by a loose belt slapping. But mine doesn't do it under load. Only when I am off the throttle AND ON the brake.

Boy am I confused.

[JHUNTER]

Went on my first ride at the atv park yesterday. Mine did the same exact thing in the same situation. Sounds like a belt or chain slipping. I am going to investigate more about this machine and see if I can find a remedy. I don't think that should be normal. Sounds like something is going to be worn out quickly.

[DesertSteve]

Originally Posted by The700Dude

the clanking sounds to me like a chain jumping teeth?

I think if that was it, it would likely happen when you nail the throttle. It makes the noise at a time when no tension is on the chain (to my knowledge). You can here the trans freewheeling, I can feel that the engine is giving no resistance. In fact, when I let off the brake near the bottom and give it gas the noise stops.

With the engine off, and the trans in park, I you lightly move the shifter fore and aft you will hear the same noise. I am starting to think it has something to do with the clutch grabbing and realeasing and isnot a malfunction at all...but I would be a fool not to ask about this.

[POLARIS13]

the solution is easy....there is no slipping or jumping chains....what is happening, is the down hill assist is slowing and breaking all your connections/tires like its supposed to. but with the combination of a steep hill (rear wheels dont have that much force on the ground) and the breaks, the wheels are catching and turing all the connections in the opposite directions...then the ADC (automatic decent control) keeps slowing and all....this is just play in the gears....mine does the same...this is how i know.
any questions about it, just ask me!

[800touring]

is it engine braking because on the 500 it would only go to the back wheels and when its slowing down it makes a clunk noise. My 800 touring dues that when its not in adc

[POLARIS13]

yes....without adc on its just the breaks stopping the wheels and the connections(possibly in the rear diff) and like i have heard somewhere else...the slack is being taken out of everything.