You found the perfect set of aggressive mud tires and slick-looking wheels for your rig. You spend your Saturday morning unboxing them, dreaming of the trail, only to discover the holes on the new wheels don’t line up with the studs on your hub. It’s a frustrating, expensive, and completely avoidable mistake. We’ve all been there.
That critical measurement you missed is the bolt pattern, and when it comes to your ATV, knowing the specific polaris sportsman 570 bolt pattern is the key that unlocks a world of custom wheel options without the headache.
Getting this right isn’t just about looks; it’s about safety, performance, and the longevity of your machine. You want the confidence to order the right parts the first time and install them like a pro.
Keep reading. In this complete guide, we’re tearing down everything you need to know. We’ll cover how to measure it, common mistakes that’ll leave you stranded, and the pro tips you need to get your Sportsman set up perfectly for the trail.
What Exactly Is the Polaris Sportsman 570 Bolt Pattern?
Let’s start with the basics. A bolt pattern, also called a lug pattern, is a measurement that defines the number of lug studs on your hub and the distance between them. It’s usually expressed as two numbers, like 4×156.
For nearly all modern Polaris Sportsman models, including the incredibly popular 570, the bolt pattern is 4×156 mm. This is your magic number.
- The first number (4): This tells you how many lug studs your hub has. In this case, it’s four.
- The second number (156): This is the diameter of an imaginary circle that passes through the center of all the lug studs, measured in millimeters.
This measurement is non-negotiable. A wheel must have the exact same 4×156 bolt pattern to physically mount onto your Sportsman 570’s hub. There’s no “close enough” here—it either fits perfectly, or it doesn’t fit at all.
How to Measure and Confirm Your Bolt Pattern (The Right Way)
While we can confidently say your Sportsman 570 is 4×156, it’s always a good practice to know how to verify it yourself, especially if you’re looking at used wheels. This is a core part of any good polaris sportsman 570 bolt pattern guide.
Tools You’ll Need
Before you start, gather a few basic tools to make the job safe and easy:
- A sturdy jack
- Jack stands (never work on a vehicle supported only by a jack)
- A lug wrench or socket set
- A quality tape measure or, even better, a digital caliper
Step-by-Step Measurement Process
Measuring a 4-lug pattern is the easiest of them all. Follow these simple steps for an accurate measurement.
- Safety First: Park your ATV on a flat, level surface. Loosen the lug nuts on one wheel slightly before lifting the vehicle.
- Lift and Secure: Use your jack to lift the corner of the ATV until the tire is off the ground. Place a jack stand securely under the frame or A-arm for support.
- Remove the Wheel: Finish removing the lug nuts and pull the wheel off the hub.
- Measure Across: For a 4-lug pattern, you simply measure from the center of one stud directly across to the center of the stud opposite it. This distance will be your bolt circle diameter. For the Sportsman 570, it should be 156 mm.
A great pro tip is to measure from the outside edge of one stud to the inside edge of the opposite stud. This method avoids the guesswork of trying to find the exact center of each stud and gives you a highly accurate result.
Beyond the Bolt Pattern: Offset, Backspacing, and Hub Bore
Here’s where many DIYers get tripped up. The polaris sportsman 570 bolt pattern gets the wheel onto the hub, but other measurements determine if it actually works without rubbing or causing damage. Getting these right is one of the most important polaris sportsman 570 bolt pattern tips we can offer.
Understanding Wheel Offset
Offset is the distance from the wheel’s mounting surface to its centerline. It determines how far in or out your wheels will sit relative to the fenders.
- Positive Offset: The mounting surface is toward the front (outside) of the wheel. This pulls the wheel inward, closer to the suspension.
- Negative Offset: The mounting surface is toward the back (inside) of the wheel. This pushes the wheel outward, creating a wider stance.
- Zero Offset: The mounting surface is perfectly aligned with the wheel’s centerline.
Stock Sportsman 570 wheels have a specific offset designed for factory handling and clearance. Aftermarket wheels often have a different offset to create a wider, more stable stance, but going too extreme can cause issues.
The Critical Hub Bore
The hub bore is the large hole in the center of the wheel that fits over the axle hub on your ATV. The wheel should fit snugly onto this hub. This is known as a hub-centric fit, which helps center the wheel and supports the vehicle’s weight.
If you buy a wheel with a hub bore that is too small, it simply won’t go on. If the bore is too large (common with universal aftermarket wheels), you’ll need to use hub-centric rings. These plastic or metal rings fill the gap, ensuring the wheel is perfectly centered to prevent vibration and excess stress on your lug studs.
Common Problems with Polaris Sportsman 570 Bolt Pattern Fitment and How to Avoid Them
Knowing about potential pitfalls is half the battle. Here are the most common problems we see at the shop and how you can steer clear of them.
Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Lug Nuts
Not all lug nuts are created equal. The “seat”—the part of the nut that makes contact with the wheel—is critical. Most aftermarket ATV wheels require tapered (or conical) seat lug nuts. Stock Polaris wheels often use a flat “mag” style seat.
Using the wrong type of lug nut is incredibly dangerous. It will prevent the wheel from seating properly and can come loose while you’re riding, potentially causing the wheel to fall off. Always confirm the required seat type for your new wheels and use the correct lug nuts. The thread pitch for most modern Sportsman 570 models is M10x1.25, but always verify for your specific year.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Tire Clearance
You’ve got the bolt pattern, offset, and hub bore right, but your new, wider tires are rubbing against the fender or suspension at full turn. This happens when you change the wheel’s offset or width without accounting for the larger tire.
Before you buy, turn your handlebars to a full lock in both directions and check the clearance around your stock tires. This gives you a baseline for how much room you have to play with.
Mistake #3: Guessing on Torque Specs
Simply cranking down on your lug nuts with all your might is a recipe for disaster. Over-tightening can stretch and weaken the wheel studs, leading to failure. Under-tightening is just as bad, as the wheel can come loose.
Always use a torque wrench and tighten to the manufacturer’s specification. This ensures even pressure and a secure fit. This is a cornerstone of our polaris sportsman 570 bolt pattern care guide.
A Guide to Using Wheel Spacers and Adapters Safely
Wheel spacers are a popular mod for achieving a wider, more stable stance. But they must be chosen and installed correctly to be safe.
Spacers vs. Adapters: Know the Difference
A wheel spacer is a plate that mounts between your hub and wheel. It keeps the same 4×156 bolt pattern but pushes the wheel further out. They come in slip-on styles (which may require longer studs) and bolt-on styles (which have their own set of studs).
A wheel adapter looks similar but actually changes the bolt pattern. For example, it would let you mount a 4×110 wheel onto your 4×156 hub. These are less common for ATVs and add another layer of complexity.
Best Practices for Safe Installation
If you choose to use spacers, follow these rules without exception:
- Buy Quality: Only purchase high-quality, hub-centric spacers made from billet aluminum from a reputable brand. Cheap, cast spacers can crack.
- Use Thread Locker: Apply a drop of medium-strength (blue) thread locker to the original hub studs before mounting the spacer.
- Torque in Stages: Torque the nuts holding the spacer to the hub to the factory spec. Then, mount your wheel and torque the lug nuts holding the wheel to the spacer to the same spec.
- Re-Check Your Torque: After your first 20-30 miles of riding, re-check the torque on ALL the lug nuts (both sets if using bolt-on spacers).
Following these steps is key to a sustainable polaris sportsman 570 bolt pattern setup, as it prevents component failure and ensures parts last as long as they were designed to.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Polaris Sportsman 570 Bolt Pattern
Will wheels from another ATV brand fit my Sportsman 570?
It depends. Many Can-Am and some other brands also use a 4×137 bolt pattern, which will not fit. Some other manufacturers might use 4×156, but you must also verify the hub bore and offset are compatible. It’s always best to buy wheels specifically listed for your Polaris model.
What is the stock wheel size and offset for a Polaris Sportsman 570?
Stock sizes can vary by year and trim level. Typically, you’ll find 12-inch or 14-inch diameter wheels. The offset is usually a positive offset designed to keep the wheels tucked in. A common aftermarket setup is a 14×7 wheel with a 4+3 offset, which provides a slightly wider stance than stock.
Can I change my bolt pattern from 4-lug to 5-lug?
No, not without changing the entire hub assembly, which would require extensive and costly custom fabrication. It is not a practical modification. Stick with wheels made for the 4×156 pattern.
How do I know if I need wheel spacers?
You might consider spacers if you want a wider, more stable stance for cornering, or if you’ve installed larger tires that are rubbing slightly on the inside against the suspension or frame. Spacers can provide that extra bit of clearance.
Your Rig, Your Rules, Done Right
Understanding the polaris sportsman 570 bolt pattern is more than just memorizing the number 4×156. It’s about knowing how the entire wheel system works together—from the hub bore and offset to the lug nuts and torque specs.
By following this guide, you’ve armed yourself with the knowledge to avoid common pitfalls and make smart, safe choices for your ATV. You can now confidently shop for new wheels, knowing exactly what to look for.
So get out your tools, use that torque wrench, and get ready to give your Sportsman the stance and style it deserves. Happy wrenching, and we’ll see you on the trail!
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