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How to Lube a 2000 Polaris Sportsman 500 Front Hub Assembly: A Step-by-Step Maintenance Guide
Sep
How to Lube a 2000 Polaris Sportsman 500 Front Hub Assembly: A Step-by-Step Maintenance Guide
Your 2000 Polaris Sportsman 500 is a legendary workhorse, built to tackle tough terrain and last for years. But even the most reliable machines need proper care. A critical, yet often overlooked, maintenance task is servicing the front hub assemblies. Properly lubricated hubs ensure smooth riding, reduce wear on expensive parts, and prevent catastrophic failure on the trail.
If you’re wondering how to lube the 2000 Polaris Sportsman 500 front hub assembly, you’ve come to the right place. This detailed guide will walk you through the process, ensuring your classic Sportsman stays in peak condition for your next adventure in the USA or worldwide.
Why Lubricating Your Front Hubs is Essential
The front hubs on your Sportsman 500 contain wheel bearings that allow your wheels to spin freely. Without proper grease, these bearings overheat, wear out prematurely, and can seize—leading to a wheel locking up or even separating from the ATV while riding. Regular lubrication:
- Extends the life of your wheel bearings.
- Maintains smooth handling and performance.
- Prevents costly repairs down the line.
- Ensures a safer ride.
Tools and Parts You’ll Need
Before you start, gather these items to make the job smooth and efficient:
- High-Temperature Grease: Use a quality lithium-based or synthetic grease designed for high-load wheel bearings.
- Socket Set & Ratchet: You’ll need metrics sockets (often 13mm, 15mm, 22mm).
- Torque Wrench: Crucial for re-assembling everything to the correct specifications.
- Jack and Jack Stands: To safely lift and support the front of the ATV.
- Grease Gun: For packing the bearings thoroughly.
- Shop Rags, Gloves, and a Clean Work Area.
- New Hub Seals (Recommended): It’s a good idea to replace the inner seals while you’re in there. You can find the right parts for your model on our site.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Lube Your 2000 Polaris Sportsman 500 Front Hub
Warning: Always prioritize safety. Ensure the ATV is on a level surface and securely supported by jack stands before crawling underneath.
- Lift and Secure: Use a jack to lift the front of the Sportsman. Place jack stands securely under the frame. Remove the front wheels using your socket set.
- Remove the Hub Assembly:
- Locate the brake caliper. Unbolt it and carefully hang it to the side using a bungee cord or wire—do not let it hang by the brake hose.
- You will now see the hub assembly. Remove the cotter pin from the castle nut on the spindle.
- Use your socket to remove the castle nut and the washer behind it.
- The entire hub assembly should now slide off the spindle. It might need a gentle pull or a light tap with a rubber mallet to break free.
- Clean, Pack, and Inspect:
- Thoroughly clean the old, dirty grease from the hub, bearings, and spindle using rags.
- Inspect the bearings: Spin them by hand. They should turn smoothly without any grinding, catching, or rough spots. If they are damaged, you need to replace them. You can find new bearing parts for your 2000 Sportsman 500 on our website.
- Pack the bearings: Using your grease gun, forcefully inject new grease into the bearings until you see it purging out of the other side. Ensure every roller is fully coated.
- Reassemble and Reinstall:
- If you have new seals, install them now.
- Slide the freshly packed hub assembly back onto the spindle.
- Reinstall the washer and castle nut. Tighten the nut while spinning the hub to seat the bearings, then back it off slightly. Re-tighten until you feel a slight drag, then align the nearest slot in the castle nut with the hole in the spindle to insert a new cotter pin.
- Reattach the brake caliper with its bolts, ensuring they are torqued to spec.
- Remount the wheel and lower the ATV.
- Final Check: Before riding, pump the brake lever a few times to reset the brake caliper piston. Take a short, slow test ride to ensure everything feels smooth and the brakes are functioning correctly.
Need Parts or Prefer a Pro? We Can Help!
Not a DIY person? Or maybe you discovered you need new parts? No problem! As your trusted Polaris dealer, we’re here to support all your riding needs.
- Find OEM Parts Fast: Visit https://buypolarissnowmobiles.com/ to browse our huge inventory of genuine Polaris parts. Use our search tools to find the exact wheel bearings, seals, and kits for your 2000 Polaris Sportsman 500.
- Expert Service Department: If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, our certified technicians can perform this service quickly and correctly. We offer quality service at a competitive price.
- Upgrade Your Ride: While you’re maintaining your Sportsman, check out our deals on new and used Polaris ATVs. Maybe it’s time for an upgrade!
Keep your classic Sportsman 500 running strong. Proper maintenance is the key to years of reliable adventure!
