polaris power steering problems

Tank3277 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 06:27 AM

I have a 1997 sportsman 500. When I accelerate from a stopped positon, my handle bars go left and right back and forth a little each way as I begin to move. As I go faster the movement decreases, but it is driving me nuts. I don't know what is wrong. The tires have the same air pressure. I am new to 4 wheeler repairs, but I have the Clymer Polairs maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair manual. My wheeler is greased, changed the oil filter, gas etc. Everything seems good, but just can't figure out why I have so much movement in the handlebars when I take off. It almost feels like one fo the front tires is flat even though it is not. I am looking for any reccomendations as to what to look for. If you say check the tie rod, what am I looking at? I know what the boots are but is there any significant problems that I can see that will help pinpoint the problem? I am all about tearing into it, I just don't know what I am looking for. when I say the handle bars more back and forth, what I mean is that if you sat on your wheeler and moved the handle bars left a little and then right a little and back and forth at a rapid pace, that is what is happening. I jacked the wheeler up, held the tire in place and turned the handle bars and there was no sloppy play in it. the tires moved with the handle bars. Anyways, if someone could please help me figure out what the problem might be or what I can look for, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Tank

**blueline15** · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 06:45 AM

so the handle bars are actually turning left and right, they are more so vibrating left and right?

Tank3277 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 06:55 AM

Thanks for your response. Basically if I push the throttle and begin to move slowly the handle bars go left a little and then right. So I guess you could say vibrating left and right. As I go faster and faster there is less movement. when I bought the wheeler, the guy said it has always done that, but it seems to be much more noticeable now then when I bought it last fall. He said he had it in for inspection, but no one was able to figure out what was wrong. I am not sure where he took it, but I am someone who believes that this can be fixed. The turn left and right of the handle bars are not full turns, just a little both ways back and forth.

yellow2003xtreme · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tank3277

It almost feels like one fo the front tires is flat even though it is not.

I have a 2010 and get that same feeling a lot at slow turns. It's really noticeable if I'm making a sharp turn and begin to give it throttle to take off. I'm always looking down at each wheel to make sure one of the tires isn't flat. I'm new to ATV's, so I'm not sure if this is a normal feeling with AWD or what.

**blueline15** · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 08:02 AM

first thing that comes to mind is check for any slop in the ball joints on the ends of the tie rods. if you try to wiggle the tie rods or ball joints, they should be firm, there should be no slop there. that would be a place to start

Tank3277 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 08:40 AM

Well thanks for the info. I will have to look into that and see what I find. Like I said, it is really strange. Everything seems to line up and seems perfect, but yet when I start to move it is so noticeable.

**blueline15** · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 09:12 AM

anothe thing could be worn out bushings up on the steering neck

4getful2 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 02:35 PM

upon deceleration do the handlbars do anything strange? when you apply the brakes??
i bought a four wheeler one time that was doing goofy front steering and one of the tires had this big glob of stop-leak cellulose in the tire,cleaned that stuff out and all was good.
BUT it sounds almost as if the front hubs are in four wheel drive for a few seconds,try changing the hub fluid

ipaman · #9 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 03:07 PM

I just replaced all 4 tie rod ends on mine. Two of them were really bad. I had a good inch of back and forth play in my handlebars.

4play · #10 (**permalink**) 03-22-2010, 08:08 PM

if it just feels wobbley i would say ya worn parts but if it pulls hard left to right I woud say your front diff is engaging when it's not supose to. try replaceing the hub fluid with the RIGHT fluid also you may have a broken axleshaft and not even notice it that will cause a pull aswell. chain your quad in place and spin the tires on dirt or something and make sure all 4 tires turn.