A friend of mine has a 98 Prairie 400 4x4. I noticed a loud rapping noise comparable to a rod nock in a automotive engine coming from the auto trans/clutch housing. He claims it is normal clutch engagement noise for this machine since he had a 2000 that did the same thing. I don't believe the sound is normal. Has anybody else experienced a Praire making this noise? Is it hard to fix? How exspensive is it to fix?

 

The 97 and 98 models had an older design auto tranny on them that is louder than todays units. The 1999 and up models have a newer design with less moving parts.
The 97 I had sounded like a hovering helecopter when it was idling. If this is this is the noise your refering to, it is normal. Any other noise should raise concern.

 

Now that you mention it it did kind of sound as you described. I could hear it from about 20-30 yards away. The noise seems to die out when it accelerates away from idle.

 

I wouldn't really call the noise "normal" but it wont harm anything. I used to own a 97 kvf400 that always had this knocking noise you are referring too. When I went to trade it in on my 650 the first dealer I went to wasnt interested in trading because he thought the noise was a bottom end bearing. The next dealer I went to knew instantly what the noise was.
There are three plastic U shaped bushings ,about 3 bucks a piece, that come in three different sizes. Your dealer must replace these with the correct size ones according to wear.
This second guy had no problem with a trade in on the 650. When I went back for my first service he let me listen to it after replacing the bushings. WOW it was never so quiet, or at least over the four years I owned it I got used to the noise.
So the long and the short of it is dont worry about it unless the noise bothers you.

 

PrairieDust, Can you give me the name of the dealer that fixed it, where they are located, and/or thier phone # so that my buddy's dealer can call them to get the scoop on the fix. He is trying to sell it so he can get the 650 and everyone that looks at it thinks there is bottom end problems with the 400.

 

Duguay Sales & Service
399 Route 6.
Amherst NS B4H 3Y2
Phone (902) 667-8066
Fax (902) 667-0468

Ask for Dave....