[1986_TRX350_4x4]

Happy Easter, all. I have an 86 TRX350 that is making some metallic grinding noises. I've done a little troubleshooting in an attempt to narrow down when it happens. Also, bonus video for reference;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzFjYnbo9m8


The noise occurs when the ATV is on the ground, and the handle bars are rotated back and forth, sitting static.

The noise occurs when the ATV is rolled on the ground, and the wheels are turned (either way - even just slightly).

The noise does not occur while the ATV is in the air, in any scenario. I can turn the bars back and forth - silently. I can spin the tires freely by hand, both with the bars turned & straight, without any noises.

I was under the impression that faulty CVs would still make noise even if they are in the air.

I wouldn't think wheel bearings would make noise if the bike isn't rolling.

I wouldn't think ball/knuckle joints would make noise if the wheel angle doesn't change, but the bike is rolled.

I greatly appreciate any help. Thanks again.

 

[shadetree]

welcome to the forums. first things first, down load the service manual from the site here !. what your asking can be anything from a steering head bushing, down to the steering bearing, to u-joint in the front swing arm, carrier bearing at the front of engine near the swing arm boot, pinion bearing, front differential clutch plates, front differential bearings, to front cv joints or knuckle bearings, to knuckle pivot bearings, sooooooooooo many things come into play here.

 

[shadetree]

watched the video, cv-joints or knuckle steering bearings .

 

[shadetree]

here is a pic # 26 bearings ---> https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/atv/1986/trx350-a-fourtrax-4x4/knuckle .

 

[shadetree]

the drive/knuckle bearings are listed in that ^^^ as well . your gonna have a hard time finding new replacement bearings i bet !..lol.

 

[shadetree]

last but not least , there is a stud sticking up off the front axle, its a steering pivot point, the brass bushing inside there wears out, have a look at it as well .

 

[1986_TRX350_4x4]

last but not least , there is a stud sticking up off the front axle, its a steering pivot point, the brass bushing inside there wears out, have a look at it as well ?.

Thank you, very much, for all of the contributions. Seems like I've got quite the uphill battle. Sigh. This ATV was just willed to me. It was my grandfather's, he bought it new in 86, and I grew up riding it. I'll go ahead and do what I can to get it back to its former glory. I'd love for my son to learn on it as well.

I've read some of your past posts, am I correct in stating that the CVs are the same 86-89, the only difference was the brake drum diameter? Quadboss shows a CV rebuild kit for the 86, but complete CV joints, for less money, for the 87-98. Can I safely just use the 87 replacement CV joint, if it comes to that?

Thanks again.

 

[1986_TRX350_4x4]

watched the video, cv-joints or knuckle steering bearings ?.

Is it possible that faulty CVs DONT make any noise while spinning/rotating, and turned (L+R), if they're in the air, and not bearing any weight?

Thanks again, sir.

 

[shadetree]

last but not least , there is a stud sticking up off the front axle, its a steering pivot point, the brass bushing inside there wears out, have a look at it as well ?.

Thank you, very much, for all of the contributions. Seems like I've got quite the uphill battle. Sigh. This ATV was just willed to me. It was my grandfather's, he bought it new in 86, and I grew up riding it. I'll go ahead and do what I can to get it back to its former glory. I'd love for my son to learn on it as well.

I've read some of your past posts, am I correct in stating that the CVs are the same 86-89, the only difference was the brake drum diameter? Quadboss shows a CV rebuild kit for the 86, but complete CV joints, for less money, for the 87-98. Can I safely just use the 87 replacement CV joint, if it comes to that?

Thanks again.

if my memory is still good ?..lol , no, the front drive axles will NOT work from any other atv for that model except ones for a 1986, because the brake drums are a breed of their own. you must use drive axles for a 1986 model only !. forget the rebuild kits, no such thing, trust me, you will only find out that the complete drive axles will work, plus...they don't come apart on the outside ( regardless of what you hear on here ). your challenge is going to be locating used drive axles , i'll bank on this !!!. last but not least, YES, they will make the noise your hearing even if they are not spinning, and just turning the wheels.

 

[shadetree]

you can try to repack the front cv boots with fresh grease, this may or may not solve your problem ?, once the bearings wear out in the cages inside the cv cups ?, it's a down hill battle from there on out. very common for these year/make/models to wear these out over the years.

 

[Manny]

before you go and spend money on axles, I would have someone turn the handlebars while you have your ear near the front differential. ive had several old Hondas with the same noise, it was the clutch plates in the diff.

I found adding limited slip additive cured the noise.

 

[retro]

^^^ THIS ^^^

Drain the front differential and refill it with a gear oil containing a limited slip additive. You can use any 75w90 gear oil that contains the additive package (as well as any 80w or 90w + LS additive straight weight gear oils as the service manual recommends).

Try this first:
With all four wheels off the ground, spin one front wheel by hand in either direction. As you rotate that wheel the opposite wheel will rotate in the opposite direction. If there is only light resistance felt while rotating that wheel it means the clutch packs are shot in the front diff. If it drags so hard that you can barely turn a wheel, then those clutch packs are OK and its worth changing the gear oil in.

Welcome to the forums!

 

[1986_TRX350_4x4]

last but not least , there is a stud sticking up off the front axle, its a steering pivot point, the brass bushing inside there wears out, have a look at it as well ?.

Thank you, very much, for all of the contributions. Seems like I've got quite the uphill battle. Sigh. This ATV was just willed to me. It was my grandfather's, he bought it new in 86, and I grew up riding it. I'll go ahead and do what I can to get it back to its former glory. I'd love for my son to learn on it as well.

I've read some of your past posts, am I correct in stating that the CVs are the same 86-89, the only difference was the brake drum diameter? Quadboss shows a CV rebuild kit for the 86, but complete CV joints, for less money, for the 87-98. Can I safely just use the 87 replacement CV joint, if it comes to that?

Thanks again.

if my memory is still good ?..lol , no, the front drive axles will NOT work from any other atv for that model except ones for a 1986, because the brake drums are a breed of their own. you must use drive axles for a 1986 model only !. forget the rebuild kits, no such thing, trust me, you will only find out that the complete drive axles will work, plus...they don't come apart on the outside ( regardless of what you hear on here ). your challenge is going to be locating used drive axles , i'll bank on this !!!. last but not least, YES, they will make the noise your hearing even if they are not spinning, and just turning the wheels.

Thanks for explaining that. Not what I wanted to hear, but I appreciate it just the same.

 

[1986_TRX350_4x4]

before you go and spend money on axles, I would have someone turn the handlebars while you have your ear near the front differential. ive had several old Hondas with the same noise, it was the clutch plates in the diff.

I found adding limited slip additive cured the noise.

Yeah, thanks for the suggestion, sir. I contemplated picking up a mechanics stethoscope to nail down exactly where the noise is coming from.

 

[shadetree]

Thank you, very much, for all of the contributions. Seems like I've got quite the uphill battle. Sigh. This ATV was just willed to me. It was my grandfather's, he bought it new in 86, and I grew up riding it. I'll go ahead and do what I can to get it back to its former glory. I'd love for my son to learn on it as well.

I've read some of your past posts, am I correct in stating that the CVs are the same 86-89, the only difference was the brake drum diameter? Quadboss shows a CV rebuild kit for the 86, but complete CV joints, for less money, for the 87-98. Can I safely just use the 87 replacement CV joint, if it comes to that?

Thanks again.

if my memory is still good ?..lol , no, the front drive axles will NOT work from any other atv for that model except ones for a 1986, because the brake drums are a breed of their own. you must use drive axles for a 1986 model only !. forget the rebuild kits, no such thing, trust me, you will only find out that the complete drive axles will work, plus...they don't come apart on the outside ( regardless of what you hear on here ). your challenge is going to be locating used drive axles , i'll bank on this !!!. last but not least, YES, they will make the noise your hearing even if they are not spinning, and just turning the wheels.

Thanks for explaining that. Not what I wanted to hear, but I appreciate it just the same.

yw . i don't like it any more than you, own a great Honda atv, runs great, but a royal pain to get parts for, seeing how Honda discontinued most parts for these great atv's !, sucks..i know !.

 

[shadetree]

with it being a 1986 model ?, i'll bet my last dollar and '' cold one ''..its the cv joints !. your best bet ?, either locate used front drive axles..and pray they are better than what you got now ?, OR..tear the boots off, clean the old grease out, clean them up really good, re-pack fresh molly grease back in them, and see if the noise lightens up ?, this is your only options from what i know, trust me, i know tons about these models..lol.

 

[1986_TRX350_4x4]

^^^ THIS ^^^

Drain the front differential and refill it with a gear oil containing a limited slip additive. You can use any 75w90 gear oil that contains the additive package (as well as any 80w or 90w + LS additive straight weight gear oils as the service manual recommends).

Try this first:
With all four wheels off the ground, spin one front wheel by hand in either direction. As you rotate that wheel the opposite wheel will rotate in the opposite direction. If there is only light resistance felt while rotating that wheel it means the clutch packs are shot in the front diff. If it drags so hard that you can barely turn a wheel, then those clutch packs are OK and its worth changing the gear oil in.

Welcome to the forums!

That's good advice, I intend on swapping all of the fluids out. I picked up some Lucas gear oil with the LS additive. I wondered about this, so I jacked it up on my lift, all four in the air. All four tires spin in the same direction, as if it's locked, and not open. There's a very slight amount of slack/slop, very slight, but all 4 spin in the same direction.

 

[1986_TRX350_4x4]

with it being a 1986 model ?, i'll bet my last dollar and '' cold one ''..its the cv joints !. your best bet ?, either locate used front drive axles..and pray they are better than what you got now ?, OR..tear the boots off, clean the old grease out, clean them up really good, re-pack fresh molly grease back in them, and see if the noise lightens up ?, this is your only options from what i know, trust me, i know tons about these models..lol.

Ok. Sigh. Will do, thanks again.

 

[shadetree]

with it being a 1986 model ?, i'll bet my last dollar and '' cold one ''..its the cv joints !. your best bet ?, either locate used front drive axles..and pray they are better than what you got now ?, OR..tear the boots off, clean the old grease out, clean them up really good, re-pack fresh molly grease back in them, and see if the noise lightens up ?, this is your only options from what i know, trust me, i know tons about these models..lol.

Ok. Sigh. Will do, thanks again.

yw . plz keep this thread updated on your progress !, others may have the same model, and run into this very same problem ?!.

 

[1986_TRX350_4x4]

with it being a 1986 model ?, i'll bet my last dollar and '' cold one ''..its the cv joints !. your best bet ?, either locate used front drive axles..and pray they are better than what you got now ?, OR..tear the boots off, clean the old grease out, clean them up really good, re-pack fresh molly grease back in them, and see if the noise lightens up ?, this is your only options from what i know, trust me, i know tons about these models..lol.

Ok. Sigh. Will do, thanks again.

yw ?. plz keep this thread updated on your progress !, others may have the same model, and run into this very same problem ?!.

Roger that.