I called my local dealership the other day about having the fluids changed, making sure everything's lubed up and just a general inspection to make sure everything is as it's supposed to be. The price they gave me was approx. $160 and if anything needed to be replaced, the cost of parts. I have a service manual, how much time would I have to invest to do this myself and how hard would it really be? I'm somewhat mechanically inclined; I can't tear a motor apart with my eyes closed but I can change fluids. I'm going to Utah riding for a week in June and I want to make sure everything's fresh before I go. Any informative opinions and tips are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I've done mine a couple times. And i thought it was a total pain in the rear.
Mainly because stuff if hard to get at.
It really doesn't take that long couple hours to change all the fluids.
What i've been doing is an every other year thing.
one year i do it next the dealer does it.
I figure this way if i missed something it will get caught by the dealer.
I still hate paying high shop rates.
costs 110 for a work over here.

 

I don't want to pay the shop fees either but I thought I might have them look at the noise that it makes when you are on the gas. A couple of hours wouldn't be too bad. I think I'll sit down with my manual tonight and see what all is involved and make a decision from there. If it's a pain in the a$$, it may be worth the money to take it to the dealer. Thanks for the response.

 

If you end up taking it in and find out whats clunking let me know.
i'm still trying to track that fool noise down.

 

Are you guys talking about that loud clunking/grinding that makes the quad sound like its on its last legs? I have been experiencing that for awhile on my 250 xplorers, I finally ordered some new chains and will pick them up tomorrow. I know the chains are pretty stretched out, I hope that new ones will fix up that noise.

I did a pretty good tune up of mine a few weekends ago, I changed hub fluid, checked brake fluid, new plugs, new fuel filter, and some new headlight bulbs as needed. They run great now, it took about a full lazy day to fully tune up all three quads.

I don't know about your 400's, but the 250's were easy to go over, and the 4stroke 400 I have isnt bad either, the oil change just adds a bit of time.

 

BlackRaptor had a post on the noise here a few weeks ago. I changed my belt and that didn't take care of the problem. I changed the fluid in both of my hubs about a month ago so I'm hoping the rest goes pretty good. Even if I do the maintenance myself, I may still bring it in and have it checked out because the noise is starting to bother me. One thing I'm going to check, and this relates to your comments Tyler711, is the chain. My brother-in-law was telling me that if the chain isn't limber enough and is somewhat kinked, it could be making the noise when it goes around the front sprocket. I'm going to clean up the chain and really lube it up and see if that helps.

 

What kind of noise does it make? my 400 made a popping sound while under a load and spinning the tires, and it turned out to be the bearings in the rear alxe.

 

Like BlackRaptor said in his original post, it's like a rhythmic clunking sound that sounds like it's coming from somewhere by the engine. Kind of like if there was something on your chain and say when that something would go over a sprocket it would make a sound; that's just an example, not the actual problem (at least not that I'm aware of). It's only when you're accelerating or cruising but once you let off the gas it goes away. I'm going to clean up my chain really good this weekend and make sure everything's lubed up and go from there.

 

The sound is like if the chain and the sprocket were the wrong size and didnt mesh together right at first, then pop into place with a clunk (not the problem, just a description of the sound.) The frequency varies from about 1-4 times per second when its happening. My chains are shot though, I can't come close to getting them tight anymore. I'll put the new ones on tomorrow or saturday and see if that clears things up.

I have them well oiled right now, and they are clean, so I dont think that dirt is the problem.

 

I have an 01 xplorer and just got done my first lube experience (excuse the pun). I probably took me 3 hours because of all the difficulties getting to nipples, etc. I think I can cut it down to 2 hours next time because I wrote down all the problems and how to solve them. I am doing this to become familiar with the machine. Black Raptor, last fall I took this machine to my dealership to get this done professionally. After doing it myself, I am convinced the dealership skipped 2 procedures, one because it is a pain to get at, and the other because it usually does not need it. I am speaking of the counter balance check and hub lube check. I will do it myself from now on to be sure. New2ATV, if you need direction ask on this forum and I can tell you someone will help you. BL