I have a '99 Wolverine and '98 Big Bear. I recently noticed some wheel wobble on the Wolverine so I jacked it up and checked it out. Sure enough, I have a bent axle. We are not rough riders at all so I could not figure out how it got bent. After searching the forums, I was amazed at the nuber of bent axle complaints on the Wolverine. I talked to my dealer and several others and basically got blank stares. They were not aware of any problem with Wolverine axles and it was not covered under warranty.

I think Yamaha definitely has a problem with these axles. I like both our machines but am very dissapointed in Yamaha's parts pricing - ridiculously expensive - and their not supporting there customers with what looks to be an obvious design problem.

I ordered a new Durablue Eliminator ($360) and will replace the stock axle.

However, I'm going to remember this problem when it comes time to trade.

 

Yeah it suck that such a great machine has a flaw like that. im hoping that yamaha will wake up and fix the prod soon. i personally have gone through a few axles and feel your pain.you will like the dura blue

 

i also have a bent axle on my 99 this is the second time with the stock axle.

 

My left rear wheel was wobbling the other day, so i did the same jacked it off the ground, but upon doing so i saw no axle movement up, or down, so I made a make shift jig, the axle is not bent, so I have narrowed mine to either a hub or wheel. Either way I am not fixing it right now anyway.

 

I had a bent axle on my 99 Wolv. I got a customer service number from my dealer and called and bugged them for 2 or 3 months till they finally sent me one as a good will gesture and not under warranty. If you do have a bent axle you might want to replace the seals in the rear end. My axle was bend just very slightly and It let waster get in the seals and I ended up haveing to change my bearing too. The number for customer service number is 1-800-635-0736. Do a search under my username (jcsact)in Yamaha forum and you can see all of the posts I have had on my bent axle and all of the trouble I had with it.
I have it all fixed up now and I am keeping a close eye on it. I also thought that you price on the Durablue was quite expensive I think I was told around $198 or $200 but don't quote me on that.

 

I have a 2000 Wolverine and have been jumping it quite a bit lately (rear tire about 3-4 feet off the ground) and I have not had any problems with the rear axle (knock on wood).

I'm thinking that as long as you don't bottom out the rear shock, the shock should absorb the impact. If you look at the rear shock you'll notice that it is almost vertical when the machine is level. I can see where if you land while the machine is nose high, the rear shock would not be in a very good orientation to absorb the impact - thus putting all the force on the axle.

This is just a theory (I don't plan on testing it) but I will keep jumping (isn't the wolverine great in flight?) and work on landing as close to all fours as possible.

 

Did you pull the wheels off and run it? At first, I thouoght muine was a bent wheel, too, but it was the axle, out toward the end. No wobble up and down on the axle.

 

I'm wondering if they changed the axle on the 2000. I'm thinking they might have beefed it up a little.

 

I think i heard that too. well anyways the dura blue is what you should get. this past week end i het a 6 foot jump and landed fine with no problems and allot of jumping after and before.

 

I had a 97 wolverine 8 ft up and never bent the axle... I however did break a front shock in half
(oops)

Jon-2000 banshee renthals holeshots