I had my 02 Prarie 400 4x4 in the shop last year to fix the clicking sounds, they replaced the knuckles and bearings and sent me home. It went mostly away, but now its clacking consistantly when I turn. Sounds just like a Ujoint clack. I very rarely ride in mudd and keep it really clean. Its under warranty, what all should I be looking for them to replace this time? It still performs great, but I dont like when everyone looks at me when I turn. Thanks.

 

CV joints

 

I figured it was CV joints, but what else should they be doing while they are in there? Thanks for the reply!

 

The rubber boots that cover the cv joints should be replaced too. Make sure they are on tight, and not torn. Gotta keep dust and water out.

 

right, got to have new boots when the CV joints are replaced, don't let the dealer put the old ones
back on. New clamps, too.

BTW, don't wait to get tires. Get a set of mudlites to replace your stock tires. You will be amazed at the
difference they make, both in mud and on dry ground. I was.

 

I got really stuck yesterday in some sloppy stuff and realize if I had good tires, even stock good ones, I could probably have climbed out. Its time for either Gators, or 589's. i will make sure they do the boots, thanks!

 

400 Prairie, I'm not familiar with the front end on the Prairie 400, but another thing you might want to get checked are the front wheel bearings. A friend of mine had the exact same sound on his 450es and it wound up being a wheel bearing. It's probably a CV joint, but this is just something else to consider besides your CVs.

 

Thanks,
There is a clicking sound on the 400's that is commonly the wheel bearings, I guess they move from side to side in the aluminum knuckles. Those were just replaced under warranty last year, but I guess they could have leaked or worn again. I sure hope not. It only makes this clicking when I turn, classic CV or U joint noise. I have a pretty good local dealer, a small shop that wants my buisness, I guess tommorrow it goes in and we shall see. Thanks.

 

XLT, are you sure they replaced the knuckles, up here they would only loc-tite them in under warranty . I did mine almost 2 years ago and still ok.

 

Yep, brand new shiney ones. They said the loctite thing alone never works and that replacing them and loctite at the same time would. so far so good. Thats why I waited two weeks, they even showed me the new knuckles with bearings loctite'ed into them.