Required Tools and Supplies
- 5mm Allen Socket
- 13mm Socket
- 14mm Socket
- 17mm Socket
- 1 1/16” Socket
- Ratchet
- Torque Wrench
- Breaker Bar
- Pliers
- Soft Faced Hammer
- Flat-Head Screwdriver
- Anti-seize
- Wire Hanger, Rope or Retention Strap
- Safety Glasses
- Nitrile Gloves
- Shop Towels
To learn more about tools, read the Tools and Fasteners Guide. For the procedure to remove and install the rear half shaft, read 2021+ Sportsman 450 and Sportsman 570 Rear Half Shaft Removal and Installation.
Always wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves when servicing your Polaris ATV.
To remove and install the front half shaft on your Sportsman 450 or 570, follow these steps:
1. Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface, ensure it is in PARK and set the parking brake.
2. Before removing the tire, the wheel hub castle nut needs to be loosened.
a. Begin by removing the dust cap from the wheel.
b. With a pliers, remove and discard the cotter pin from the castle nut.
c. Slightly loosen the castle nut with a 1 1/16” socket.
d. Using a 17mm socket with breaker bar, loosen the lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground but do not remove at this time.
e. Safely elevate the vehicle. Reference your Owner's Manual for proper lifting techniques.
f. Once safely elevated, remove the lug nuts and set aside.
g. Remove the wheel and set aside.
3. Before continuing, release the parking brake.
4. Loosen the set screw on the back of the caliper with a 5mm Allen socket to allow the caliper mount pin to slide backwards.
5. Remove and retain the caliper fasteners and two washers with a 13mm socket.
6. Continue by carefully removing the caliper from the front hub and supporting it with a wire hanger, rope, or retention strap to avoid damaging the brake line.
7. Remove and retain the wheel hub castle nut, domed washer and flat washer from the drive shaft spline.
8. Pull the wheel hub away from the shaft spline and set aside.
9. Using a 14mm socket, loosen the ball joint nut until it is flush with the end of the ball joint stud.
10. If necessary, use a soft face hammer and tap the ball joint nut to loosen the A-arm from the joint.
11. Remove and discard the ball joint nut.
12. Continue by carefully separating the hub strut housing from the A-arm, using care to avoid damaging the ball joint boot.
13. Pull the strut assembly out while pivoting the CV drive shaft away until it clears the strut assembly.
14. Pull the shaft assembly out sharply to remove it from the front gearcase.
15. Clean the anti-seize off the drive shaft splines using a clean, dry cloth.
16. Inspect the threads and splines on the half shaft for nicks or burrs and replace if needed.
17. Inspect the CV boots to ensure there are no cuts, wear, or damage and replace if needed.
18. Remove and discard the compression ring on the drive shaft with a flat-head screwdriver.
19. Install a new compression ring into the groove on the end of the driveshaft and ensure it is fully seated.
20. Before installing, clean any old anti seize from the gearcase and hub assembly.
21. Apply new anti-seize to the splines on the half shaft.
22. Align the splines on the half shaft with the front gearcase and push in firmly on the shaft until the compression ring is fully engaged in the gearcase.
23. Continue by installing the drive shaft into the strut assembly.
24. Reinstall the A-arm onto the ball joint and secure with a new ball joint nut.
25. Torque the nut to 30 ft-lbs (40 Nm).
26. Align the wheel hub with the drive shaft spline and maneuver onto the shaft until fully seated.
27. Reinstall the retained domed washer with the domed side out, flat washer and wheel hub castle nut onto the shaft spline.
28. Carefully slide the caliper assembly onto the brake disc, ensuring the brake rotor is between the two pads. Before continuing, ensure any items used to secure the brake caliper are removed from the wheel well.
29. Install the lock washer and flat washer onto the caliper fasteners and reinstall the two fasteners into the caliper bracket.
30. Torque the fasteners to 18 ft-lbs (31 Nm).
31. Tighten the set screw on the back side of the caliper until the pads touch the brake disc.
32. Loosen the set screw a half-turn.
33. Reinstall the wheels on the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts until fully seated.
34. Safely lower the vehicle until the tires begin to touch the ground. This will help keep them in place when torqueing.
35. Once lowered, torque the lug nuts to the specification below in a criss-cross pattern.
- Steel: 27 ft-lbs (37 Nm)
- Aluminum: 30 ft-lbs (40 Nm) plus 1/4 turn
36. Torque the wheel hub castle nut to 80 ft-lbs (109 Nm).
37. Install a new cotter pin into the castle nut. If necessary, slightly tighten the castle nut to align the cotter pin hole.
38. Push the dust cap onto the wheel and ensure it is fully seated.
39. Safely lower the vehicle completely.
For more information, see your authorized Polaris Dealer. Find a dealer near you with the Dealer Locator.
Maintenance tips, procedures and specifications can be found in your Owner's Manual.
To find diagrams and replacement part numbers, use the online parts catalog.
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