2015 Arctic Cat XR 700 Steering Stem Bearing Replacement Guide
Shop parts for a 2015 Arctic Cat XR 700 ATV.
Steering stem bearing replacement on the 2015 Arctic Cat XR 700 is straightforward maintenance that restores play-free, precise handling and protects the frame’s steering housing from the damage that comes with a severely worn pivot. This guide covers the complete procedure from disassembly through the final check that confirms the job is done right.
Reading the Signs of Steering Stem Bearing Wear
Steering stem bearing wear on the XR 700 shows up as a notchy or rough feeling during slow bar sweeps, a wandering or vague front end feel during loaded riding, and eventually detectable play at the post when tested with the front end elevated.
Physical play testing confirms wear severity on the XR 700. With the front end lifted and the tires off the ground, grip the bars close to the stem and push and pull laterally—not turning the bars, but checking for the post to move within the bearing. Any detectable looseness indicates the bearing has worn beyond its service life. A helper watching the housing junction while you push and pull can make subtle movement visible that your hands might miss.
Why the XR 700’s Steering Stem Bearing Wears Out
Utility ATVs like the XR 700 are typically worked harder and serviced less frequently than sport machines, which creates a wear environment where the steering stem bearing takes more accumulated stress between replacement intervals than the design alone would suggest. The combination of heavy front loads, towing forces that change the weight distribution and front-end loading, and constant low-speed turning on rough ground puts the bearing at the steering post frame pivot through a varied and demanding load cycle.
Water and grit intrusion are the factors most likely to shorten the XR 700’s steering stem bearing service life beyond what the load environment alone would produce. Farm and ranch use means wet conditions, mud, and working in areas where the underside of the machine accumulates debris.
Tool and Parts List for the XR 700
Having the right tools staged before starting saves time and prevents mid-job improvisation on the XR 700. The core list: an ATV stand or floor jack and stands for safe front-end support, a complete socket set with drive extensions, a torque wrench, combination wrenches in the sizes for the XR 700’s stem nut and tie rod hardware, a cotter pin removal tool, and a rubber mallet.
The XR 700 uses a bearing at the steering stem pivot. Order a complete bearing kit for this model including the bearing, any races, and seals. A bearing driver or close-fitting socket sized to the bearing’s outer diameter is the correct installation tool; driving on the inner race or rolling elements damages the bearing.
Exposing the Steering Stem: Disassembly Sequence
Before starting disassembly on the XR 700, note the original position of the handlebar clamps so the bars go back at the same angle and height. Remove the clamp bolts and move the bar assembly clear without disconnecting cables where possible. On utility ATVs with wider bars or significant accessory wiring at the handlebars, loosely tying the assembly to a nearby frame tube keeps it from pulling on cables during the rest of the disassembly.
Free the tie rods from the XR 700’s steering arm at the base of the post: pull the cotter pins, unscrew the castle nuts, and release each tie rod taper from the steering arm using a proper puller rather than improvising. Utility machines with years of outdoor service may have the tie rod ends corroded into their tapers—penetrating oil applied before the job makes this step much easier.
Pivot Inspection and Housing Preparation on the XR 700
Inspect the bearing and post shaft after removing the steering post from the XR 700. Wipe the old grease from the bearing components on the XR 700 and examine the contact surfaces in good light. Look for flat spots or facets on the bearing elements at the load zone, pitting or corrosion on the race surfaces, and any heat discoloration—straw-yellow to blue-black—indicating the bearing ran hot at some point. Any of these conditions means the bearing is past its service life.
Remove the old bearing from the XR 700’s housing using a bearing puller, slide hammer, or a drift that contacts the back of the bearing race evenly rather than driving from one spot. Once the bearing is out, clean the housing bore thoroughly with contact cleaner and inspect it for scoring, raised burrs, or distortion from a bearing that was running loose.
Fitting the New Bearing and Rebuilding the Stem
Installing the new bearing correctly is the step where having the right driver makes the biggest difference on the XR 700. Seat the new bearing into the XR 700’s housing bore using a bearing driver or socket sized to the bearing outer diameter—not the inner race, which must never be used as a driving surface. The driver must contact the outer race evenly around its full circumference so the bearing enters the bore squarely.
With the new bearing seated in the XR 700’s housing, coat the post shaft in the bearing contact zone with grease and guide the post back into the housing from above, seating it into the bearing inner race. Install any dust seals from the kit against the bearing face, seating them carefully by hand or with a smooth-edged driver rather than driving them in forcefully.
Final Assembly and Steering Adjustment on the XR 700
With the post reinstalled in the XR 700’s frame, snug the stem retaining nut incrementally while testing steering feel at each step. No play and no binding is the target; the bars should sweep smoothly from stop to stop with light, consistent resistance and no tendency to stick or index at any position. Secure the nut with the appropriate retention hardware and reinstall the handlebar assembly at its original position.
Reconnect both tie rod ends at the XR 700’s steering arm, torque the castle nuts, and install new cotter pins—not the originals. Lower the machine, walk it forward, and do the final steering sweep by hand. The feel should be markedly better than the worn bearing you removed: smooth, direct, and play-free from stop to stop.
Related Shopping Categories
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Shop Wheel Bearings for a 2015 Arctic Cat XR 700 ATV.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace your ATV's official owner's manual. Always refer to your manufacturer's documentation for model-specific instructions, torque specifications, safety procedures, and maintenance requirements. If you are unsure or inexperienced, consider seeking assistance from a qualified mechanic or technician.