Ranger 900: Broken Front Differential

**Chris** · 04-01-2016, 10:52 AM

My front differential let go on my 2015 Ranger 900. Running only 27" Maxxis Bighorn tires, I'm a little shocked and a little disappointed. Regardless, it looks like I'm going to need a front differential. Maybe this is the time to upgrade to the newer style Pro-Lock front differential with the close ratio AWD.

I haven't pulled the broken differential out, but from what I can see the pinion broke...I suppose?

I was out on our ranch property cruising around. The rear tires began to slip in the wet ground. I put it in AWD. The front end pulled. Then, all hell broke loose. Well, the driveshaft broke loose.

Polaris!!

**Flach24** · 04-01-2016, 11:04 AM

Not the first time i've seen this on a Ranger, but shocking. I have seen similiar issues with RZR's. Poooolaris

**Kenny G** · 04-01-2016, 11:36 AM

That's to bad Chris, least you weren't to far from the house when she let go. Was at the tire shop yesterday that I got my snow tracks from and the owner was telling me about a ole boy that bought tracks this fall for his Polaris and they pretty much torn the RZR apart, to the point the ole boy pulled them and is trying to sell the tracks because he's tried of the repair bill every time he took it out? Tracks 2 years on my Rhino and she's no trailer Queen, and not a lick of a problem, same belt even.

**Chris** · 04-01-2016, 11:54 AM

Kenny, now you're just rubbing it in! Haha!
824 miles on this Ranger 900.

**Kenny G** · 04-01-2016, 12:09 PM

Chris you always give a good unbiased opinion of your machines, be it negative or positive. Your signature pic says it all, bro!

**Timmi** · 04-01-2016, 12:14 PM

That's about the same mileage I had on my rzr when suspension pieces started to let go. The diff didn't break, but tie rod ends, bushings, wheel bearings...

**08Rhino450SE** · 04-01-2016, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Chris

Maybe this is the time to upgrade to the newer style Pro-Lock front differential with the close ratio AWD.

I haven't pulled the broken differential out, but from what I can see the pinion broke...I suppose?

I was out on our ranch property cruising around. The rear tires began to slip in the wet ground. I put it in AWD. The front end pulled. Then, all hell broke loose. Well, the driveshaft broke loose.

Polaris!!

Thanks for the real world update, Chris. It's refreshing to get honest reporting on offroad vehicles.
What's the feature / advantage / benefit of the Pro-Lock differential?
Please keep us updated on what you find!

**Chris** · 04-01-2016, 02:31 PM

I pulled the front differential. The good news is that the housing is not cracked. I haven't disassembled the differential, but at this point I would say the pinion bearing failed. The ring gear may have pushed the whole driveshaft out. The ring gear still spins smoothly, however, the pinion gear needs further inspection. The pinion is still attached to the driveshaft and is in the machine. The front bumper needs to be removed to slide the shaft out of the machine.