How to remove a rear ATV axle. 2003 Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional and this video is just showing how I removed my rear axle. It's not advice, a tutorial, etc. Attempt at your own discretion. Now with that out of the way its not too difficult to replace a rear axle on your atv if you have the right tools and some time and patience. Enjoy the video and if it helps you out consider leaving a small donation to my Venmo.
Venmo: Temptation2003
Axle Links:
Polaris
East Lake Axle replacement for rear left/right cv axle Polaris Sportsman 400/500 / 500 HO 2003 2004 2005 amzn.to/35AB4Lb
East Lake Axle replacement for rear left/right atv axle Polaris Sportsman 600/700 / 800 2003 2004 2005 amzn.to/3ABmI8F
East Lake Axle replacement for rear cv axles set Polaris Sportsman 450/500 / 700/800 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 amzn.to/3r7YsYH
East Lake Axle replacement for front left/right cv axle Polaris Scrambler 400/500 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 amzn.to/3AG5siH
Arctic Cat
East Lake Axle replacement for rear left/right cv axle Arctic Cat 400/450/500/650/700/1000 ATV 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 amzn.to/3o4zTK0
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[@user-mt4xu1dj1i]

How do you get the new axel to go in? The clip stops the splines from sliding together. With a wood block can the outer end be pounded on?

[@bearsmartdurango]

It took me two days to get the Castle Nut off. :)

[@Peter-gi3re]

If you ever have to do this job …. Remove the CV axles I strongly recommend the following. Check the bushings on the top A control arm. You may not realize it but if you need to change these the CV axle has to come out to allow you to remove the bolts holding the control arm. So if those bushings are looking at all worn then now is the time to change them. Another issue I discovered is ……. Bought the rear bushing kit from Allballs. Everything is fine except ……. The small tube that goes in the top Arm is not the same wall thickness as the original Polaris one and the Plastic bushings are also shorter. They may work but I didn’t want to chance it after all the BS I went through to dismantle everything and take the CV axles out. Went to my local rip off Polaris dealer expecting to pay a lot for the Polaris parts. I was shocked at the outrageous price they charge for this. The complete set is 6 spacer tubes and 12 bushings. Two tubes go in the top A arm and the third goes in the connection to the top of the hub or bearing carrier. So three tubes each side with 6 bushings each side. Polaris price …… $169 plus tax. Absolute thieves. I also decided to buy new C clips to for the CV axle where it shoves into the rear diff. These stupid little clips probably cost a dollar or two to buy from the manufacturer…….. Polaris wants $6.99 plus tax each.

[@user-ur4te3fc7y]

What is holding it in, why do you have to pull so hard to get it out?

[@fritzlannowack2701]

How did you get that darn c clip back into there

[@seanmcne]

I wish the axle for my 500 came off as easily as this one did - having to resort to some pretty nutty tactics to get our rear axles off 😬

[@Temptation_Offroad]

I had to tug pretty hard a few times before mine finally popped out. They can be a pain in the neck.

[@seanmcne]

@@Temptation_Offroad I think we are going to bolt on a muffler clamp and use a slide hammer - no amount of pulling did the trick. These suckers can be stubborn!

[@Gosfordesign]

How're the boots on these holding up? I read a few bad reviews for the axles on Amazon but I really hope they stood up well!

[@Temptation_Offroad]

This side is still good, the boot on the otherside went bad already.

[@offthestreetsandinthecreek7294]

Can we get a update on the 500 as far as how it has held up with the clutch kit and bigger tires .

[@Temptation_Offroad]

Yeah i can do that this spring or summer. The 500 is put away for the winter as im using the Can Am for snow plowing all winter.

[@Temptation_Offroad]

Long story short i've had a front axle break due to letting a friend drive it last winter and he put the 4wd in and gunned it before the 4wd was engaged (User Error). Then this last summer a rear axle went out when my other friend drove it for the weekend. Im not sure if that was due to user error by going way too fast over woop style bumps or due to lift and tires... Other than that everything has been great. Lol

[@augustusgloop9330]

Hey my brothers axle got s wobbly is that normal?

[@Temptation_Offroad]

Nope not normal

[@nickero5804]

what size was the castle nut

[@Peter-gi3re]

Castle nut is 1 1/8”

[@sdc9593]

You had a hard time pulling it out because there is a c clip that need to be opened up

[@bryanbrown8079]

Next time show the complete R&R

[@Temptation_Offroad]

Why is that? It went back together just fine.

[@bryanbrown8079]

@@Temptation_Offroadok fine don’t 😠

[@Temptation_Offroad]

@@bryanbrown8079 😅🫠🫡🤷🏽‍♂️