1999 Ranger 6x6 - Maintenance ?

[mattbt]

I'm new to the forum so want start by saying hello and thanks to everyone who contributes to the forum. I have found it very informative.

I just bought a 1999 Ranger 6x6 with 378 hours. Before buying it, I drove it, checked the oil and water, kicked the tires, etc. and it seems to be in pretty good shape. Since then I've added a few more hours... used it to clean up downed trees from Gustav... haul wood up from the woods for the fireplace... and of course a little joy riding... and all is still fine.

To save money I typically fix the things I can. I bought a service manual so I'm ready to start with maintenance. I have a few questions if you don't mind. I didn't get any maintenance records with the Ranger so would like to check/maintain everything that needs to be checked.

So my question is: where should I start. I will definitely change the engine oil, transmission oil, check the brakes (they don't work very well), and check the drive belt but what are the other things I need to check. If there are many, please prioritize in some way.

The only quirk I've found is the steering wheel pulls to the right sometimes... not all the time... when it happens it is usually when I first start driving it ... after a few minutes of driving time I can take my hands off the steering wheel and it will go straight. Also the steering wheel wants to turn to the right when backing up... this sometimes happens even when it is warm. I've experimented and I think it is the brakes but not sure. If you have any ideas what to check, please respond.

Anyway, thanks in advance for taking time to reply.

Tim

[GRAZOR]

Welcome Tim. I don't like the wheel pulling to the right some times issue. If not a hanging brake then it could be the AWD is locking just one side even when not called for. I would suspect the left front wheel is powering and causing it to pull right.

Differentials use fluids and should be changed quick! This could be part of the problem. I have seen many with water in them and looks like chocolate milk instead of oil. I don't know your machine but the old sportsmans I had used hub fluid also so I kept an eye on them.

I like to do all the fluid changes at the same time, just spend the day doing the maint. I also like to go with Amsoil fluids and there is a sticky up top to show you what the equivelants are and we have an amsoil sponsor here to help with getting the right stuff.

Some say all the grease fitting on the polaris's are a PITA but I like being able to grease it up after riding hard and putting it up wet. Find them all and keep it well lubed. Oil is cheap while parts are real expensive. Dealers want rediculous prices for the polaris fluids and we would think they are formulated with gold dust or some other exotic junk. Truth be know, polaris buys their fluids from an oil manufacturer just like most of the others and slaps a polaris label on it so there is no telling what the real brand is. Amsoil makes their own, sells it and stands behind it.

Gary

[GPER]

I have a 99 6 by also that I got from the junk pile, I don't have the service manual. It should tell you all about the front hubs and the special oil they use for the electric hub locking. So the hubs should be serviced, the machine should be greased, the motor oil, filter, drive train oils, and the air filter. My front end isn't functional so I haven't gotten to the special hub oil yet, but for the rest I just use synthetic oils. I have a post somewhere on the 99 shifter box and it does have oil in it so that also might be checked. Mine has 1100 hours on it so your's isn't even broke in yet.

Here's the link for the shifter
http://polarisrangerforum.com/index.php/topic,1391.0.html
I also have some write ups on a front and rear receiver hitches if you are interested.

[mattbt]

Thank you both for taking time to reply. Regarding the maintenance, that is what I was hoping to hear - no surprises.

Hopefully after the maintenance is complete the pulling to the right issue will be resolved.

GRAZOR, I too would like to use the Amsoil (I use Amsoil in my Suzuki Intruder and Electraglide) but I don't see the "sticky up top to show what the equivelants are".

[mattbt]

GRAZOR, you can ignore my question. I guess the "sticky up top to show what the equivelants are" is the first subject in the "Full Size Ranger Discussion".

[GRAZOR]

Originally Posted by mattbt

GRAZOR, you can ignore my question. I guess the "sticky up top to show what the equivelants are" is the first subject in the "Full Size Ranger Discussion".

Yep! It is also at the top of the RZR board as well. Your owners manual and/or the service manual should have the correct oils listed for each part so you just cross reference the polaris numbers to the Amsoil equivelant and your all set.

We used to have a Polaris dealer around here who had a neat little trick. He would put the wrong oil in and a few weeks later customers would be back to get new front differentials installed at big expense and not warranty. He actually got busted doing it and had to pay. He is not in business any more. Some of the other small dealers around here hire flunkies to do the basic stuff like fluid changes and they always seem to think they know it all. My brother caught one such guy putting the wrong oil in and blew a fuse at the service counter. Since then, we do all our own changes.

Gary

[smturnage]

New to the forum and know this is an old post, but my 6x6 started pulling as well as a result of a virtually undetectable broken axle that eventually ate the hub. The only indication there was anything wrong was the occasional steering sticking or pulling issue.

[garmin220]

I broke a front axle like that. A little ticking than bam it snapped. I used an aftermarket axle but dont remember what brand. Been going strong though.