How to Change Polaris Ranger 900 XP Front CV Boots 

Replacing the front CV boots on a Polaris UTV is cheaper than having to replace the CV joints or the half shafts. A cut or torn CV boot quickly leads to a damaged CV joint and half shaft. 

Always check the CV boots every time you ride your Polaris Ranger, and if you find a damaged boot, replace it immediately. Watch the video above and follow the steps below to change a front CV boot on a Polaris Ranger 900XP.

Tools and Parts – Polaris Ranger 900 Front CV Boot Replacement

• 15mm-27mm sockets
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Breaker bar

• Dead-blow hammer
• Needlenose pliers
• CV boot tool
• Front CV boot kit

NOTE: We worked on a 2016 Polaris Ranger 900 XP, but the steps are the same or similar for most Polaris side-by-side or ATV models.

Removing Polaris Ranger 900 Front CV Boots

Step 1. Break loose the lug nuts before lifting the Ranger. 

Step 2. Remove the cotter pin, castle nut and the two thrust washers from the axle.

Step 3. Remove the lower ball joint bolt and pull it down and out of the bottom of the hub/brake assembly. Let the lower A-arm drop down and rest on the ground or work surface.

Step 4. Support the hub/brake assembly while removing the shock absorber mounting bolt on the upper A-arm.

Step 5. Raise the hub/brake assembly upward and swing it outward so you can pull the CV axle and half shaft out through the back of the assembly.

Step 6. Use a strap to support the hub/brake assembly and upper A-arm, and hold them up out of the way.

Step 7. Pull the half shaft and the inner CV joint out of the front transmission by making short, firm pulls on the driveshaft.

PRO TIP: Working on the CV boots, CV joints and half shaft is much easier if you secure the half shaft in a vice or clamp on a worktable.

Step 8. Remove the two retaining bands holding the outer CV boot, then slide the boot and the outer CV joint off the half shaft and remove the boot from the CV joint.

Step 9. Remove the two retaining bands that hold the inner CV boot, followed by the boot itself.

Step 10. Inspect the CV joints. Each joint should be packed with grease with no signs of water or dirt. 

NOTE: If there’s little or no grease and the CV joint is worn or damaged, you’ll need to replace it.

Replacing Polaris Ranger Front CV Boots

Step 11. Slide a new inner CV boot onto the half shaft, then pack the boot and inner CV joint with grease and pull the boot into the groove on the inner CV joint. Pull the other end of the boot into the groove on the half shaft and secure the two retaining bands with a CV boot tool or CV joint pliers.

PRO TIP: Don’t get any grease on the lip of the boot or the groove in the CV joint where the boot sits. You want the boot and CV joint to be tightly sealed, as any grease between the two may cause the boot to slip off.

Step 12. Slide the inner retaining band for the outer CV boot over the half shaft, followed by the outer CV boot itself. Make sure you put the band on the half shaft before the boot.

Step 13. Slide the outer CV joint back on the half shaft, making sure the splines on the CV joint and half shaft are aligned. Use a dead-blow hammer to tap the CV joint back onto the half shaft until it’s fully seated.

Step 14. Pack the inside of the CV boot and the CV joint with grease, then pull the new CV boot over the outer CV joint and into the grooves on the CV joint and the half shaft, once again being careful not to get any grease where the boot and CV joint will be sealed. Secure the two retaining bands with a CV boot tool or CV joint pliers.

Step 15. Clean the inner and outer CV joints’ axle splines with contact cleaner and re-grease them with quality bearing grease.

Step 16. Slide the inner CV axle back into the transmission housing. Twist the half shaft to align and engage the splines, and use a dead-blow hammer to knock it back into the housing until it’s completely seated.

Step 17. While supporting the hub/brake assembly, remove the strap holding it and lower the assembly back down. Re-insert the outer CV axle through the hub/brake assembly, twisting the half shaft as you do to align and engage the axle splines with the hub spines.

Step 18. Reinstall the shock absorber mounting bolt on the upper A-arm and torque it to 42 foot-pounds.

Step 19. Raise the lower A-arm, then re-insert the ball joint into the bottom of the hub/brake assembly. Reinstall the lower ball joint bolt and torque it to 42 foot-pounds.

Step 20. Reinstall the two thrust washers over the axle, making sure their beveled edges are facing inward toward the hub. Replace the castle nut and torque it to 80 foot-pounds. Reinstall the cotter pin and replace the wheel, torqueing the lug nuts to 120 foot-pounds.

Ready to do the rear CV boots next? Watch the video below to see how to replace the rear CV boots on a Polaris Ranger 900 UTV.