HI,
My dealers service manager put standard Hypoid fluid into the rear diff. on the 20 hr service. I noticed some strange noises - after the fact when braking and the manual (which I read)says to use ONLY Mobil. I called them when I returned from my annual hunting trip to WV and they said they had a notice about this and that Kawi now had their own brand. He also said to bring in the machine - to not run it - (I already had about 30 hrs on the machine since the change) and that they would change out the oil and correct any problems that might have occured. I mean come on now - I shouldn't have to be the one calling this guy. He should have gotten on the phone once he got the notice and informed me of the potential problem. HAd I not called with the problem I might not have ever found out. Any other instances out there with this happening (wrong fluid in the rear diff)? What damage could occur- warped plates? He seems to think that changing it back to the specified fluid - running it for a couple of hours - then changing it again will correct the problem. Any feed back much appreciated. I'm thinking of taking this machine to a different dealer for serious service. Their excuse is that these are so new and they have sold so few - that it's all new and mistakes are made. Should I have them strip the unit out and replace it witha new one? I mean I paid BIG BUCKS for this machine and want it 100% without question.

Cheers,

 

I would get something in writing from them or from Kawasaki saying they will stand behind the machine even after the warranty is up. The rear brakes on the machine are supposed to last hundreds of hours, I think the owners manual says they don't need checked for some 2000 miles. I would just bet replacing the rear brake disk will cost a few bucks and 30 hours is a long time to have incorrect fluid in them.
Just a thought

 

When I asked my dealer about it, they were putting in 80w tranny fluid in when they install hitches. This really concerned me. I decided not the let them touch the quad and I would take care of it myself. This is where I bought mobilfluid from:

Snider Petroleum
800-773-8357
http://www.sniderpetroleum.com/
service@sniderpetroleum.com

Mobilfluid 424 (2.5 gal jug) $18.50

 

I am glad I changed my own oil. I am also glad there is a forum where information is exchanged.

When I changed my rear diff oil, theere was a lot of grey metallic small specks. I thought it seemed like a lot. Anybody else have this? Is it just the brake material?

I am thinking about changing the rear diff fluid again soon just to make sure.

 

The gears are made slightly over size so during break in the gears seat to one another as do the engine parts also, so after break in all the gears and engine parts are within spec. I don't know how much the brakes wear down until they seat with each other,but I have replaced wet brakes in two different tractors and do they are very rough on the surface so they will seat with each other. So the grey stuff is probaly from the gears and brakes breaking in.

 

nyroc, you may have some shavings from the aluminum housing in your oil. If you still have the oil, see if the metal specs are magnetic. If they are, I would be taking it to the dealer to have them check it. If they are aluminum, it is probably normal for a first oil change, although I would probably still show it to the dealer and let them make the call just to be safe. Your next oil change will tell you a lot more. I would think that any wear from the clutch (brake) discs should be mostly fiber, not metal.