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Rear Drive Line and Suspension
At Everything Polaris Ranger, we receive numerous complaints from riders about strange noises emanating from the driveline of their Mid-Size Polaris Rangers. However, just because your vehicle is making noises doesn't necessarily mean that anything serious is broken inside. If your Ranger starts to make more clattering sounds than usual, it's essential to check the belt and secondary spring and rollers. Make sure the primary weights and rollers aren't rubbing the spider and that the primary roller bushings are intact and within spec. Blow the clutches out and cross-hatch them with scotch brite every time you replace the belt. If, after all this, the chatter persists, there may be an unbalanced driveline, worn-out carrier bearings, or spent u-joints. In such cases, it is more cost-effective to replace only the damaged areas instead of buying an entirely new drive shaft. If your rear driveline is the problem, the rear carrier bearings and rear u-joints are likely the culprits that need to be replaced.
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If you're experiencing a clunking or grinding noise coming from the rear of your Mid-Size Polaris Ranger, it might be time to replace the rear carrier bearings and rear u-joints. While this may sound like a daunting task, it can be accomplished with some basic tools and a little bit of patience.
To begin, start by knocking out the roll pin on the front prop shaft and removing the front bumper, then take off the right front tire and disassemble the hub assembly to remove the CV axle. Repeat this process on the driver's side, and then move the differential to the side and loosen the two bolts on the carrier.
Next, pull the shaft out the front and the rear part with the carrier will come out the bottom. We recommend opting for the factory-style bearing carrier rather than the pillar-block style, and picking up some 338 greaseable u-joints. The installation process can be completed by following the above instructions in reverse.
While it isn't necessary to mark the shaft, most Rangers have a master spline that will make the process easier. All you need are a 15mm socket and a big enough socket to go over the u-joint caps. A small sledgehammer is also useful to have on hand.
While the carrier bearing can be replaced with a stock Polaris part, we suggest using MOOG u-joints, as they can be a bit of a pain to install but are definitely worth the effort. While your Mid-Size Ranger is apart, it's also a good idea to replace the roll pin on the front diff input shaft with a bolt to make future replacements much easier.
When it comes to replacement parts for the driveline, we recommend steering clear of anything stock. Companies like Sandcraft make front and rear driveline components for the Mid-Size Ranger that are at least three times stronger, providing greater durability and longevity.
If you're unsure about fitment or need advice on the best replacement parts for the rear driveline of your Mid-Size Ranger, don't hesitate to reach out to an expert for assistance. By following these steps and taking the time to choose high-quality replacement parts, you can get your Mid-Size Ranger back on the road and running smoothly for years to come.
