Just purchased a 2000 Rancher 350es. Shifting is fairly quiet and smooth thru all gears for first few minutes. Then shifting 3,4,5 up or down, gets extremely noisy-like a "whack" when it shifts. Is this normal ?

Has new oil and filter.
Do shift plates wear out and get noisy ? Is there something else that might need to be changed ?

Found a remedy for the very loud metallic noise when shifting my ES rancher.
After much study of the service manual I concluded that the shift plate was the only part which would make the noise I was hearing. Ordered the shift plate @ $60. and removed the frt crankcase cover and changed it out.
Guess what !! No change. Crap!!

Came across a thread in this forum about Synthetic oil and how one fellow said it made is rancher shift quieter.
Although I was sure oil would have nothing to do with that noise, I decided to give it try. Drained the Valvoline 10-40 ATV oil I just put in 3 weeks ago, and
poured in Mobile1 10-40 Full Synthetic Motorcycle oil.

Makes no since to me but the shift linkage noise is quieter by at least 60% and the clutch engagement is much smoother.

Don't know why it worked, but I am a very happy camper !!