1998 Honda Fourtrax 300
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First thing I would do is drain the fluid from the rear end and see what it looks like. That may be your first clue. You can take a magnet and dip it in the oil you drain and see if there are metal shavings in it. Thats where I would start, its cheap, easy, and could possibly tell you if the problem is in the diff or the brakes.
Oh and BTW, Welcome to the forums! There are several VERY knowledgeable people here that will chime in with way more help than I can provide you. :wink:
Oh and BTW, Welcome to the forums! There are several VERY knowledgeable people here that will chime in with way more help than I can provide you. :wink:
I will try that if i can figure out how to drain it
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take off the left rear tire (its easier that way) on the left side of the differential at the bottom there is a small (maybe 10mm) plug don't lose the washer! remove it then on the back of the diff there is a larger plug you can't miss it take it off and fill it back up with 80/90 gear lube.
If the fluid looks bad (grey or milky or has debris of some kind in it) I would leave the bottom plug out and and try to flush it a little by pouring some in turning the rear wheels a little and letting it drain back out once its coming out normal colored put the bottom plug back in and fill er up.
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The drain plug for the rear differential may be hard to see, because of the skid plate on the bottom of the differential.
Have you checked the axle bearings to see if they are bad? You can jack the ATV up and support it under the engine, so that the back tires are off the ground. Now grab hold of the tires and try to wiggle the whole axle/rear end back and forth. If you have any movement, then the axle bearings are bad. If the axle bearings are bad and you keep riding it, it will damage your ring and pinion gears on the inside of the rear differential. If you have movement there, make sure it is coming from the rear axle where the axle comes out of the differential, because sometimes the movement can be coming from where the swingarm mounts. If it is coming from where the swingarm mounts, it is the swingarm bearings that are bad.
Have you checked the axle bearings to see if they are bad? You can jack the ATV up and support it under the engine, so that the back tires are off the ground. Now grab hold of the tires and try to wiggle the whole axle/rear end back and forth. If you have any movement, then the axle bearings are bad. If the axle bearings are bad and you keep riding it, it will damage your ring and pinion gears on the inside of the rear differential. If you have movement there, make sure it is coming from the rear axle where the axle comes out of the differential, because sometimes the movement can be coming from where the swingarm mounts. If it is coming from where the swingarm mounts, it is the swingarm bearings that are bad.
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I'll let Helmut answer that one as i've never had to deal with it and I certainly hope you don't have to either because its probably not cheap. You're probably going to be looking at bearings an maybe more if thats the case. He'll fill you in more on that.
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If your rear diff is making a noise and you find metal shavings in it, you will need to pull your diff off and take it apart and inspect the gears. These are bad for the ring and pinion gears going out. It's usually caused by the axle bearings getting bad and still riding the 4-wheeler. The movement of the axle causes the ring and pinion gears to come out of alignment and not mesh properly. If this is what happened, your axle bearings will probably be bad, too, unless someone has recently replaced them and didn't replace the ring and pinion gears. On these models, it is important to check for axle bearing wear often and at the first signs of movement, replace the axle bearings. This will usually keep you from having any gear problems. Also, check the gear oil often, as well, because mud and water in the diff will also cause the gears and bearings to go bad.
One more thing. Make sure the grinding noise is coming from the rear diff, before you take it off and tear in to it. A tiny amount of fine metal may be normal, especially if the gear oil hasn't been changed in a long time.
Well i took the plug off the rear diff. and nothing came out so i poured some motor oil through there and it came out with some metal shavings and gunky crap. I think i will need a new ring and pinion gear cause i drove it too long while it was grinding. I drove it while it was grinding cause i thought it was coming from the front wheel bearing but after further review it was in the back.
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OUCH! Sorry to hear that, maybe you can find some used parts somewhere? Otherwise you can order new from Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Accessories ? BikeBandit.com Good luck and let us know if you need any help. I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable guys will be along soon to give you more info.
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more than likely..your pinion bearing..and your ring gear bearing's are shot..your going to have to tear it apart to repair it..if you have never done it..i highly recomend you get a repair manual, it will require a special tool to remove the pinion. if your pinion gear..and ring gear are stripped..that will not come cheap to order a new one..soo..get ready to look on ebay if your short on funds..lol. if you need any help on getting it apart..just ask..i'm sure one of us can give you a hand..well..a few words so to speak..lol.
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Ouch!!!Sorry to hear that.
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