Those clamps are not very much and the tool to install them is'nt either. You could get them both at your local auto parts store for under $10-$15.

 

Dazeys, thewayout420,
do you know what this tool is called. I used a zip tie cause I could not find a hose clamp large enough at my local auto parts store. Plus all the hose clamps are bout 2x too wide . Now, The tool I would be interested in. My main concern is this... Is this a part that is factory sealed/built. I mean if I go to the dealer and all they do is clean it out and pack it with grease then clamp it then I can do that. I did look at it to see if dirt was in it I also bought some Moly EP grease and replaced what I thought was lost. However, if the part was intended to be sealed with one of those clamps because anything else will fail due to the stress on the part then I would take it to the dealer. It's just my past experience with any type of repair service is, well, I can to it just as well and sometimes better cause I own it and want it to last.

 

at least by going to the dealer you will have a record of sevice so if the unit fails you can say..HA i dont think so..

 

Just ask them for the CV boot clamp and the tool to install it.

 

you have a point here, i spent way too much money on this thing to be replacing a CV joint a year from now...

 

The repair looks good and may indeed work but you probably can’t get that zip tie as tight as a wider clamp that tightens with a screw (I don’t know what the stock one looked like). However like the other guys said I’d recommend taking it back to the dealer for a warranty fix, that way you are covered should you have an issue with the CV joint later which would be a lot more costly.

My Brute (less than a week old) is back in the shop after only 16 miles! I launched it (somewhat gently) over a rise that empties onto a flat field and landed it nicely on all fours (after less than 2 vertical feet of air). All of my other quads have handled this trail without any ill results countless number of times but that was the first time for the Brute. Anyway after landing it immediately lost power and the exhaust sound changed. It felt like it was only running on one cylinder and it’s making a loud tap-tap-tap noise (sounds like a valve or cam issue). I took it in yesterday (Saturday) and they told me they will get on it Monday, so I should have an idea about what the problem is by then…

 

This is probably going to be an axle problem for alot of BF owners. They probably bought their axles in bulk from Pakistan and usually when things like that happen, it happens in alot of them. Subaru had that problem a few years ago.

Since Kawasaki is so proud of their warranties, I would take it back to the dealer for anything and make them fix it, thats what warranties are for... also if enough people take a bad problem back to the dealer Kawi will issue a recall and fix the problem that exists.
Too many people fix their own stuff when an ATV is within warranty, and that leaves long term problems unsolved by the manufacturer.

If you absolutely must fix it yourself, personally I would go to a Subaru dealer. Subarus had problems with CV axles for a few years and most dealers have tools and mechanics that have fixed tons of them. I took an axle that busted a boot from a 500 Suzuki King Quad to my local dealer and they put on a new boot and grease for $15.

 

McMaster Carr sells almost the exact same Stainless Steel hose clamps that are on those boots. Actually, they are more of a stainless zip tie about 1/4" wide and about a foot long (or longer). They aren't a ton but I don't remember how much they cost.
McMaster Carr sells all kinds of industrial supplies mostly to companies, but they will sell to the gen public via thier web-site (www.mcmastercarr.com I think).
I filled out their registration form and just put some name in for the business name spot. I'm not sure if that was necessary, but I haven't had any problems with them. they provide a good service and the prices on some things are pretty good, others not so good.
I used them on my Prairies boots when I took the front end apart and they worked great.
I like what the others said though. TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND MAKE THEM FIX IT OR THEY SCREW YOU LATER WHEN YOU END UP DOING IT ANYWAY BECAUSE YOUR JOINTS ARE FRIED.....
Hope this helps...

 

Hey colmac- check EVERY NUT & BOLT you can get a wrench on! I've had my BF for several weeks now and here's the list:
1st ride: bolts holding heat shield 1 gone. (during break-in ride- low rpms)
2nd ride: all good (broke-in)
3rd ride: 2 skid plate bolts gone. (still mostly slow speeds NO mud or rough stuff)
4th ride(Buena Vista CO.) 25 miles in: BOTH rear header bolts gone! Robbed Peter to pay Paul and continued on ride (not easy w/ limited tools).
40 miles in: rear sock nut loose but not gone.
Next day leaving Frenchy's cafe (Tin Cup) loose rear heat shield bolt (under rear fender). Easy fix.
So with my history I would say check everything you can in the comfort of your garage.

I know this will do nothing but dump race gas on the "I hate the Brute Force fire". So I will say this, the B/F is a killer quad and I think it would take ALOT more than these problems to make me think otherwise. I still have a P700 and sold my V to get the B/F. So after now have some extended seat time on the B/F the P700 is getting the axe. Anywho, just get the tools out tighten some stuff that somebody on the line forgot to and go.

 

Neckinjury, I too got rid of my V-Force to get the BF. My V held up well while I had it (for about a year) and I think the Brute will too (since the basics are pretty much the same as the V and the Prairie) however it appears their quality control is less than perfect this time around so the end user had better give their machine a good going over to play it safe. In return they will be rewarded with one nice ride, as the BF is the nicest utility quad that I’ve ridden in what little seat time I’ve experienced with it so far. I still don’t know what happened to mine, I called the dealer today and they were just starting to look at it. I may eventually wind up getting another V in a year or two, especially if it ends up getting a larger engine...