The more I read into this problem and research it on many A.T.V. sites, I realize it is a very costley problem if not caught. It seems that on all honda 4wd models, they have been prone to destroying the front differential due to inner bolts coming loose. I am in the middle of taking mine apart so that I will have peace of mind knowing that there is locktite on the bolts. Just wanted to know how you other 4wd guys feel.

Hogmaster

 

I've never had a problem with a quad that I owned, but on a 400 Forman we had at work we had a problem with the half axel coming out of the differential.
You're probably right about the cost. I can't recall exactly what it cost to have it fixed, but I remember it was alot.

 

I don't know what to call a 'lot' like the dirty howie's trax lock kits contain new front diffs among other major assemblys all wrapped up for 400$, that's nopt too much to ask for the front diff alone IMO.

 

I still cant belive that dirtyhowies sends you a brand new diff. with its trax-lok conversion. If you go to partsfish.com and look up the Rancher front final gear assy., the amount of $ for just the inners (not the outter diff case) runs over $500.00. So if they are giving you the complete kit with diff,driveshaft,and electrical components for $350.00, I am going to be extremly skeptical. I want one as soon as possible but I dont want to buy crap either. I am waiting for highlifters and I heard Warn supposedly has one but havent seen anything on it yet.

 

My front wheels make a grinding sound when i turn to the left or right think that is a differintial prob?

 

Maybe because general repair parts ( for say if you needed new diff guts ) are marked up well over 100%. ATV's are BIG profit, not even close to at "cost of production"(like economy cars), parts and service are even bigger profit, and something the dealers/distributors can participate in the gouging for parts.

The honda front diff is worth in my breakdown- precision cast and machined housing 50$, pinion 15$, ring gear 20$, high grade bearings 40$, there face plates at about 15$ ( since they have been using a universal, it'd be higher if they used multiple models ) and the followers in the diff $24 for the lot of them, and the shell that connects the followers to the ring gear, a broached steel part 20$. Assembly and tuning of this group at about 20$. IMO that totals about 204$ for the actual cost of the diff and to pay everyone in line at 20$ an hour. Everything else would be directly to corporate profit, covering R&D(they didn't fall off a log and come up with the API diff design) and distributor profit.

 

Check the price at Service Honda for a complete front diff. It is much cheaper then buying the parts. Another example: The whole front knuckle assembly which includes wheel bearing inner and outer seals and lower ball joint is not much more then the cost of the bearing alone.