My grandpa has a p400 4x4 (650miles,175hours) and it has developed a clicking noise in the front end. It only does it when you turn the wheels sharply, it is a single loud click. sounds like it comes from the right side at times and the left side at others. It doesn't click every time you turn, but it clicks frequently. The speed doesn't seem to matter either. My dad and I want to take a trip on july 5th and we are wondering if this could be something serious enough to take to the dealer for repair before we go. Because we are jammed for time, I would appreciate any info you can give me quickly. thanks

 

Could be a couple of common things:

1. The wheel bearings on the older Prairie's came with a loose fit, and the bearing made a click when you turned or sometimes hit bumps. If so, fix it later. This is probably what you hear.

2. Check for bad ujoints on front driveline. Could fix it or remove front driveline and drive in 2x4 (believe me it's ok, no oil leaks out if you do this). Probably not what you hear.

3. Sure it isn't tires hittin the fender bolts? Probably not, that makes a different sound. Ignore it or get shorter bolts. Probably not what you hear.

4. Could also be bad CV on front axles. Probably gotta fix it first, or be easy on it or leave it home if this is the case. Probably not what you hear.

5. Maybe bad tie rods? Loose tie rods?

 

The rods seem to be tight, so #1 looks like our problem. its a 2 year old machine, i dont know when they had the bearing issue (his p300 4x4 had a clicking in the rear, dealer couldnt figure it out so that might of been it) whats involved in fixing loose bearings? how long do you think it can go before being fixed? thanks

 

Go on your trip, it's probably not going to make a difference. I have a tech tip on that one, look it up.

 

I have the last year of the P400, it clicks pretty good too, just like you said. I took it in under warranty, they replaced the knuckles and bearings, it stopped clicking for about 100 miles, now im just barely starting to hear it again. They tell me its just noise, and will be just fine doing that for many years, but they fix it to keep customers happy. Take that for what its worth. I will have mine fixed until the warranty runs out, then I will just have to click my way around.

 

Nightryder888, its your wheel bearings. You have to lock-tite them in. kawasaki has a service bulletin about this. Do a search, there has been alot of info on this.

 

Big Buck is right, Loctite is the fix that Kawasaki uses. They just wanted to replace my knuckles to be sure I guess. Even with Loctite, it comes back. oh well.

 

thanks alot guys ill look into the loctite

 

Try to find 638, don't just use a threadlocker. It will last longer if you get 638, cylindrival part retaining. It is made specifically for tolerance screw ups like this.

 

I did the loc-tite thing about a year ago and have had no problem since. It was very easy to do.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
I talked to kawasaki and they would not replace the knuckles. They said the loc-tite procedure will work fine and so far it has.