98 Polaris 500 Scrambler 4x4

[Scott K]

I just bought a 98 Polaris 500 scrambler 4x4 fairly cheap, that has sat in a guys garage for a few years, because he thought it needed a carb rebuild.

I really dont know much about the Polaris Scramblers, are they a decent atv? is it worth sticking a little money in it? How do they ride? Are there common problem items I should look at fixing?

I havent actually seen it yet, only pictures, so I am only going off what I was told, and from the pictures. I understand it has a chain in the rear, drive shaft in the front, it is a belt driven auto, I dont know if it is a full time 4x4? Or does it have a manual or electric shift? Can anyone give my their opinions on it?

[rundrave]

I have one, been a great quad.

The ride is ok, but they are pretty rough due to the front struts, I always wished they would have made the same quad with a dual a-arm setup.

common problems:

rear carrier bearings

swing arm pivot bearings

front steering stem bushing

a-arm bushings

those listed above should all have grease zerks, grease them and they will be trouble free.

I actually raced XC in the utility class on mine for years with lots of goodies. Its now my plowing ice fishing rig but still sporty enough to hit the trails and have fun.

Its not full time 4wd, with the switch on the 4x4 will not engage until the rear wheels slip.

its an automatic belt drive (cvt tranny) FWD, N, REVERSE note it does not have a low range.

[Scott K]

Thanks for the info, I will be getting it on Friday, and will tear into it Saturday and check it over, and try to get it running. I think I bought it cheap enough $250, I know it needs tires, and it ran bad, when he chose to attempt to take the carb off and fix it, then it sat for a couple years, now he wants it out of his garage. I hope there isnt anything to seriously wrong with it, but I figure I can put a little money in it, and still be ahead.

[Dave S]

Rundrave pretty much covered it. One other issue that was more prevalent in the 400 scrambler was the gear case would crack. (prior to the concentric drive........front sprocket is aligned withe the swing arm pivot point). There were a few cases of them still cracking after the update.