[djmathis39]

I just bought a 2018 Honda Rancher 4x4 with a manual shift just 3 days ago and it only has 12 miles on the odometer, and it's shifting is VERY clunky, especially when it's cold. Mainly it's only 1st to 2nd upshifting that has the problem, and when it's cold it doesn't want to go into 2nd gear at all. When I drove it this morning and I tried to shift into 2nd the gears grinded and scared me thinking I just broke something. Is it just the transmission breaking in? Or is it just a defect from the factory? (I am letting off the throttle when I shift every time)

 

[Jeepwm69]

Welcome to the forum.

If it's brand new then yes, it will get easier with time.

That said, I would take it to the dealership (since it's new) and request that they adjust the clutch.

Once the break in period (100 miles) is up, put synthetic oil in there and that will help too. I use Rotella T6 5W40 in my Hondas. Just make sure what you put in there is JASO MA spec oil, which will be in the list of specifications that the oil meets on the back of the bottle.

 

[retro]

Welcome to the forums! Please refrain from using adult language while you are here. I second Jeeps clutch adjustment suggestion above. Have the dealer do it though, for warranty records keeping purposes in case it leads to something more serious down the road.

 

[djmathis39]

Understood, thanks for the help, I will inform my dealership and have them adjust it.

 

[misterclean59]

I have bought two new 420's in the past. Both had stuck clutch plates from the dealer. Ride around in third or forth gear while pushing up or down on the shift lever. If it still pulls then the plates are stuck. Do this until they break free. I park mine with a bungee cord pulling up on the shifter from the left grip. I've done this for eight years. If the plates are stuck and you unstick with this method unfortunately this wheeler will not ever shift as smoothly as it should. You see the problem is that is only takes one plate to break loose for the clutch to work again. There are seven more (If I remember correctly) that can still be stuck. I had to disassemble the clutch assy.and replace the friction plates on a new wheeler to get it buttery smooth. The dealer said they are all that way and wouldn't repair it. I made the mistake of parking it after replacing the plates and they stuck again!......overnight. They broke loose easily but the buttery smooth action was gone.

 

[mrbb]

MY question's will be a little different,
when this shifting problem is going on, by any chance is the idle very high?
and how long are you letting the atv warm up before trying to shift it?

as a very high idle could be a different issue all together!
and if the atv is in cold weather and your NOT allowing some time for things to warm up, that too can be the issue

last question will be, after the atv is HOT and been driven some, does it shift any easier?

 

[djmathis39]

MY question's will be a little different,
when this shifting problem is going on, by any chance is the idle very high?
and how long are you letting the atv warm up before trying to shift it?

as a very high idle could be a different issue all together!
and if the atv is in cold weather and your NOT allowing some time for things to warm up, that too can be the issue

last question will be, after the atv is HOT and been driven some, does it shift any easier?

The idle seems to be normal, it sounds the same as my buddy's 2016 Rancher 420.

And its pretty warm outside when I start it up, about 80°f and I do let it idle for about 30 seconds to a minute before taking off.

For the first 10 miles it was hard to upshift sometimes even after it was warmed up, but that seems to have gotten much better with use.


I haven't rode it much since yesterday evening, so I don't really have any new information on how it shifts just yet, but it does seem to shift easier after it warms up.

On another note, I am noticing a bit of slack in the steering, (no more than about a millimeter or two) and it's completely unnoticeable while riding, but when I'm stopped and I move the handle bars I can notice the slight play in it and it also has a slight click between moving the handle bars left and right. I have the non-power steering model, but I don't know if that makes any difference.