[N.E.T.O.]

Hey all,
Posted below on info for my rear axle bearing (2007 420 TRX). Thanks to all that replied and PM'd. I've got the manual now, and have ordered parts (2 rear bearings and seals for rear diff/gearcase).

My issue now is that the parts won't be here till Monday (9/27). We are leaving Tuesday morning for a 5 day hunting trip and I won't have time to get them replaced before I leave. The left bearing is just "popping" slightly. No play yet, no binding, no grinding. In fact, I wouldn't have even noticed had I not had it jacked up and was spinning the rear end just checking things out.

Wondering how long I can go on this without further damaging anything else. Will probably replace them as soon as I get back. Anticipate approx 20 hours use on this trip.

Thanks in advance!
Randy

 

[Helmut]

You should be OK as long as there's no up and down or side to side movement of the axle. If the axle starts moving, the ring gear and pinion gear will start moving and won't mesh properly and will cause the gears to wear, also accelerating the wear of the pinion bearings.

I would say you would be OK until you get back, but then I would replace them as soon as possible. This is my opinion, I can't guarantee anything, though.

 

[N.E.T.O.]

Thanks again Helmut! I'll keep an eye on it while I'm out. That was the answer I was hoping for!
Randy

 

[sphill]

how did you know they were bad just by lifting the rear end and spinning the tires?

 

[shadetree]

how did you know they were bad just by lifting the rear end and spinning the tires?

because you can see and hear them..mostly when you shake it while it's on the ground..you can feal and see it wobble. when you lift your bike..while doing this..you watch the axle..if the axle drops down from a certain spot when doing this..you can see it..which means your bearings are bad..and if you can shake your bike side to side..this means you got play in your bearing races..means..they wont last much longer...and if you don't replace them..this will make you wish you did your maintance 6 months ago when you go to price a new set of ring gear and pinion gears..bearings..seals. lol.

 

[sphill]

how did you know they were bad just by lifting the rear end and spinning the tires?

because you can see and hear them..mostly when you shake it while it's on the ground..you can feal and see it wobble. when you lift your bike..while doing this..you watch the axle..if the axle drops down from a certain spot when doing this..you can see it..which means your bearings are bad..and if you can shake your bike side to side..this means you got play in your bearing races..means..they wont last much longer...and if you don't replace them..this will make you wish you did your maintance 6 months ago when you go to price a new set of ring gear and pinion gears..bearings..seals. lol.

I'll have to keep this in mind, although I only have 32 miles on mine. When should these be changed?

 

[shadetree]

how did you know they were bad just by lifting the rear end and spinning the tires?

because you can see and hear them..mostly when you shake it while it's on the ground..you can feal and see it wobble. when you lift your bike..while doing this..you watch the axle..if the axle drops down from a certain spot when doing this..you can see it..which means your bearings are bad..and if you can shake your bike side to side..this means you got play in your bearing races..means..they wont last much longer...and if you don't replace them..this will make you wish you did your maintance 6 months ago when you go to price a new set of ring gear and pinion gears..bearings..seals. lol.

I'll have to keep this in mind, although I only have 32 miles on mine. When should these be changed?

alot of this depends on what you drive on and through...lol..and how you ride..if your just doing simple trail ridding...no jumping..dry ground..i would inspect them about every year..now..if your doing all the above..including driving through swamps..deep mud..then at least every 3 months..check them to see how they are..the front and rear differental gear oil ( for 4x4's )..needs to be checked often. here's a tip..and most ppl don't know this...when unloading a atv from the back of a truck..they just let the back end drop down hard on the pavement/ground..this is very hard on rear bearings..it will wear them out in no time..try to use a ramp..or ease your atv down...anyway..it all depends on your driving style..what you ride on/in..and how you hard you treat your atv. if you go easy on it..then bearings should be checked about every year. once your bearings go out..it's going to start a chain reaction for your ring gear, pinion gear, drive shaft..or worse..your tranny gears.

 

[N.E.T.O.]

Thanks for the additional info Shadetree...I will definitely check it each day until I get it repaired for good, just to make sure I'm not doing further damage.

Sphill, I had just bought this machine, was doing all the servicing, lubing, adjusting, and had it jacked up in the air and was spinning the rear axle when I heard the popping. I could also feel it if I held the left portion of the rear axle while spinning it. Mine has no up and down play in it yet, nor any side by side play, nor grinding, or anything yet...just some minor popping, and it doesn't do it all the time. Likely a rusty spot in the race or a stopsign shaped ball in the bearing. My fluid is clean.

I read up on this, and just as Shadetree explained, it happens more when you use it in water or mud...I know for a fact that is the case with mine, as there was a bunch of dried mud under the covers, and the PO even told me "it goes great in the mud". The bearing that goes out all the time is the left rear, but I'm doing both (there are actually 3) of the differential bearings and seals just so I know where I'm at. The one bearing and seal can be had for about $40 if you do your own labor. As Shadtree (and Helmut) have stated, if you let it go, the Ring and Pinion will need to be replaced...which is about $400 to $500.

I'll be taking mine up hunting with the bad bearing in it, and I'll be checking it each day a couple times per day depending on usage. If at any time the condition gets worse...I'll just park it!

I am currently an analyst/programmer, but was a mechanic in my prior life and I'm pretty anal and OCD about my stuff. I literally ran a fine tooth comb thru this machine when I got it home and that is the only thing I found out of the ordinary. These machines are awesome.

Oh, also...mine has about 890 miles on it, is a 2007 model and about 89 hours on it. PO said he has never had to replace any parts on it so I'm guessing this is the original bearing.

Hope this helps!
Randy

 

[shadetree]

Thanks for the additional info Shadetree...I will definitely check it each day until I get it repaired for good, just to make sure I'm not doing further damage.

Sphill, I had just bought this machine, was doing all the servicing, lubing, adjusting, and had it jacked up in the air and was spinning the rear axle when I heard the popping. I could also feel it if I held the left portion of the rear axle while spinning it. Mine has no up and down play in it yet, nor any side by side play, nor grinding, or anything yet...just some minor popping, and it doesn't do it all the time. Likely a rusty spot in the race or a stopsign shaped ball in the bearing. My fluid is clean.

I read up on this, and just as Shadetree explained, it happens more when you use it in water or mud...I know for a fact that is the case with mine, as there was a bunch of dried mud under the covers, and the PO even told me "it goes great in the mud". The bearing that goes out all the time is the left rear, but I'm doing both (there are actually 3) of the differential bearings and seals just so I know where I'm at. The one bearing and seal can be had for about $40 if you do your own labor. As Shadtree (and Helmut) have stated, if you let it go, the Ring and Pinion will need to be replaced...which is about $400 to $500.

I'll be taking mine up hunting with the bad bearing in it, and I'll be checking it each day a couple times per day depending on usage. If at any time the condition gets worse...I'll just park it!

I am currently an analyst/programmer, but was a mechanic in my prior life and I'm pretty anal and OCD about my stuff. I literally ran a fine tooth comb thru this machine when I got it home and that is the only thing I found out of the ordinary. These machines are awesome.

Oh, also...mine has about 890 miles on it, is a 2007 model and about 89 hours on it. PO said he has never had to replace any parts on it so I'm guessing this is the original bearing.

Hope this helps!
Randy

your welcome !..just keep an eye on it..if it gets to sounding really bad.do like you said..park it !!..or go rob your wife's bank account..your gonna need the cash !..lmfao.