[scottandnikki]

I was pretty easy, lower end came out easy enough, a little tight getting wrench in the upper to remove the bolt. 1997 sportsman 500. So i got it out and looking at where the shaft came out of the upper, i'm guessing there should be oil in there or at least something other than the dried out grit i found. I need to get a service manual.

 

[polman500]

Nope, nothing in there but a spacer. Its sealed off from the internals of the gearcase. Just clean it out good before reassembly and put a little anti-seize on the splines.

 

[DirtyDogOutlaws]

nope- nothing there cept dirt and rust and air, think of it as the oval office