Iceman11

On 10/23/2020 at 1:44 PM, Andystoy19 said:

The front axles for this machine are 705402170R and 171L and contain some parts common to the Defender lineup but are different (longer) than the base models so the new Can am performance axles will not fit. You can buy new CV joints to repair the broken cv's but the cost is the same or more than a complete half shaft? I have tried to get an answer from Can am to see if they will provide an upgraded axle for this machine but so far no answer? Both of my axles broke at the lower CV seconds apart in the same mud hole as I tried to gently assist the winch.

Jack up and block the front end of the machine, remove the 17mm bolt nuts, remove the front wheels. Remove the cutter key on each side and break the castellated nut with a breaker bar and socket. I used a 1 1/4" socket which is too big but works, I didn't have a metric one that large and didn't want to use a pipe wrench or crescent. These nuts are torqued to 184 lb/ft so it requires some effort. Place the transmission in park with 4x4 engaged to keep the hub from spinning. Remove the lower shock bolt and raise and tie the upper A arm as high as it will go. Break the (2) 15mm bolts that hold the front caliper on, remove the bolts and store the caliper on the top of the A arm. Remove the castellated nut and remove the cross bolt that holds the lower A arm in place at the hub, drop the lower A arm and pull outwards on the hub, there is just enough room to get the axle out of the hub, tug sharply on the axle to remove it from the front diff. Reverse the procedure for the installation but make sure you provide enough force to seat the axle in the differential all the way, no gap.

Hint: There is no need to remove the steering or upper A arm(at the hub) or lower A arm at the body as some videos show, this procedure works well and disassembles less parts.

Gorilla has a replacement axle but very expensive and no other after market premium axle is available. If someone finds one please provide the part numbers and cost. Hope this helps if you need to replace one of your axles.

A good straight forward write up  and it also works exactly the same on the 2018 Defender XMR. Although i dont have the same exact machine, for an axle upgrade you could check out "Demon Powersports" 2018 Defender XMR front axles part # PAXL-3066HD. I just ordered 2 from Century Powersports in Calgary for an excellent price.

I have the Dragonfire rear bumper on an 18 XMR with OEM tires. It does not hamper the dump box opening fully as long as the Tiger Tail is removed from the receiver.