i have a question i have an 02 big bear with the in and out 4wd my front end has a lot of gear noise it is realy loud i jacked the front end up and it waas in 2wd i turned both front tires at the same time in the same direction and could hear a ratcheting noise coming from the differential but it is no were as loud as when i riding it in 4wd any info would be great....i have anly had this thing 2 weeks and it has 45 miles on it it just started this noise today thanks .......[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

 

If I was you and this noise just started I would take the quad back to my dealer and have them check it out... especially if you only have 45 miles on it should still be under warranty.... right.

 

yes trailblazer it is under warranty i just got it 2 weeks ago i rode it last weekend and put 42 miles on it and today i took it out trying some new trails and i used the 4wd most of the time but these trails had tight turns and lots of hills to climb it was slow going and i hit a flat smooth road went through the gears and you could here this loud gear noise i brough it home jacked up the front end turned the tires and you can hear a ratechting sound i seen in a fourm some other guy had a problem like this he said he had a ratechting sound in his front end got me to wondering if this were normal..but boy i tell you i think it is way to loud....thanks again trailblazer.......web

 

Do a search on Big Bear on this site and on Highlifter also. I have seen this problem discussed at length on one of these 2 sites. The best I can remember is that the noise is due to Yamaha using straight edge gears instead of beveled gears in the front differential. This design is much stronger but does produce much more noise. It has been a while since I read about this but I think my recollection is correct or close anyway.

 

i did the research on high lifter and looks like the 02 big bears come with the stright cut teeth on the front..which will make more noise .
i can live with the noise just glad something was not going down in this thing i like the big bear very much it is great out in the hills thanks for the info guys...web

 

i went out this morning and jacked up the atv started it put it in 4wd went through the gears..man is this thing loud i think i will check with the dealer will let you know what i find out..web