hi im new to the board. i also have a 1998 sportsman 500 with the same problem. tryd to replace the u joint but outer yoke is bent and needs to be replaced. from what i found on ebay there is a conversion but need to replace both axels & it is about $380.00 a side. very pricey. i havent talked to them to see what all is involved but from picture looks like outer bearing carrier need to be changed also. sorry for long post, get to rambling. graybeard