I have a 95 wolverine that is going to be needing u-joints in the front drive shaft very soon (as in last year)...is there a part number from a general parts store that would fit this, or do I need to order the actual u joints from yamaha at 133 bucks for just the knuckle without clips or caps? They are both bad...thinking if I could get by without ordering from Yamaha, it may save me some money. Are the Yamaha u-joints a fairly universal part from one machine to the next?

Found them for 30 bucks on ebay with caps and rings brand new...can they be found cheaper?
Mudslinger2

 

I heard somewhere that u-joints from a datsun truck fit the yamaha but I'am not sure. Maybe take one down to your local napa store and the might be able to match one up for you

 

check on ebay for moose u-joints not sure if they make them for yamaha but I bought them after market for my sportsman 700 when I had it I think they were 15 a piece. if you get aftermarket look for ones with grease zerks (prob. needle) as long as you keep up on lube they last twice as long

 

Ordered u joints from red tag motorsports in NC off of ebay...free shipping, 30 bucks each, and exactly what I was needing! Had the needle grease fittings! If only they would have come with free installation!! I ended up breaking three c- clamps in the process of getting them out and new ones back in (and I did the two on the end of the drive shaft with my bench vise) The old ones were a bitch to get out!

 

good to hear gottom done I forgot to tell ya about the installation there real fun. lol

 

How did you get the u-joints out? I have a 97 wolverine 4x4 and can't get mine out. Do you need to remove the drive shaft? If so how is it all done?

 

I got them out with elbow grease, lots of time, and an abundance of swear words! The actual shaft will come out without removing anything else-you have to remove the snap ring on the motor end (push the shaft toward the differential and the spring to get to the snap ring). TAKE THE CLIPS OFF OF THE INSIDE OF THE CAPS (using a small hammer and punch or screwdriver). Now comes the fun part-remove the part of the ujoints that are attached to the differential end and motor end so that you can at least work on the other two attachment points on your work bench...basically you have to use a socket on one end of a clamp and allow the ujoint to push into that socket (may need a socket as an extension on the other end to do the pushing too). I actually never could get the ones on the motor end to push (i used a neumatic cut off wheel and cut right inside the yoke through the u joint on both side). Not the method i would suggest since there is a gas tank sitting about 18 inches above your head as all of the sparks are flying! Once you get everything out i used a piece of sandpaper and cleaned the inside of the pieces where the caps go back in thinking that would make it easier. Do not lose the needles in the caps!!

I would suggest watching a video online to see how to do it as a reference-I am sure this post is clear as mud- for the most part it is going to be the same process on any quad! Post back with more questions!
Mudslinger2

 

Where is the snap ring? I saw that the shaft could be pushed forward towards the differential but that's all. I will try to find out more tonight when I am back from work.

 

There is just a snap ring that sits against the engine end where the splines are...mine was about a 1/4 inch from the front of the splines where they go into the engine end. You probably accomplish the same thing by moving the snap ring that is holding the spring. Should be spring, washer, and a snap ring! I used a small screw driver to move mine (if I were you, go buy the snap ring pliers for 8 bucks or whatever they cost) and make sure you have a GOOD c clamp-i broke three of them during my project!
Mudslinger2

 

this is going to sound so dumb, but you don't have an pictures to share that you can show what your talking about, do you? I dont see any clips on my u-joints and two of the caps are pretty trashed. But nothing will come out. I tried last night to press them out while still in the four wheeler, but nothing budged. I'm at a complete loss here. And I'm aggravated as all hell right now.