A few weeks ago a flood hit our area, creating a large water hole, about 2 foot deep, in a hay field. I took the KQ out to see what she could do, and it did fine, until I got back. The hayfield flood had made the lose hay float to the top, and what I didn't realise was that the hay was slowly wrapping itself around my axle and braking system (mostly in the front). I cleared most of it when I first got back, but I had to go to work in a hurry and I didn't have time to clearly remove the hay.
Living in New York has it's downfalls, it's cold!!! Sometimes too cold!!!
Well, this hay (being wet, from the flood) froze to my ATV on the axle and some of the brakeing systems. After forgeting all about the hay I started it up about a week later and put it in gear. I heard a loud click, so I stopped giving it gas...
I figured that it was just hung up on some ice (you know, froze to the ground) (The garage that I keep it in is the garage that we keep our tractors in, so it usually has some water on the floor.
I lifted both ends up a little (The front and the back) everything seemed fine... BUT!!! When I pushed it backwards the front right wheel was froze, and would not turn at all...
Before I realized all this I tried putting it in diff. lock and low range to see if I could break the frozen hay off the axle, but no use...

So, my question is........ Do you guys/gals know what the clicking sound could have been? And if it is bad...

PS>>> I am going to take a hair drier and blow some warm air on the hay to loosen it up a bit, so I can pull the rest off of it.


-2000 suzuki King Quad
-97 Honda 300 4x4
-Long live the king baby!

 

Where did the loud click come from? The front end?

Just the other day after playing in the snow, I went to move my 500 4x4 and my left front tire wouldn't turn. There was frozen snow about a half inch thick all along the inside of the wheel. Some broke out and would allow the tire to turn until the ice hit the brake caliper. I had to bust the rest out to allow the tire to turn a full 360.

Maybe something like that is your problem???

I'll bet when you thaw things out with the hairdryer, you'll be fine. If not, you have something more serious wrong.

 

DO NOT USE THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCK TO BREAK IT LOOSE! I made that mistake a few weeks ago, I broke a rear driveshaft, destroyed both front driveshafts, destroyed the front differential. As it stands now, I'm looking at about $2300-$2500 to have it fixed, all because I didn't want to wait to put a heater on it. Also if you were in the water check the gear lube in your front differential, the guy fixing my 99 KQ said my diff was filled with water, so in addition to gears I need bearings and seals, and the case welded because the broken stuff gouged the case.
Just a warning for future reference.

 

Thanx... But I already tried the diff lock on it... I can't remember if it clicked when I had the diffs locked or in two wheel drive. Well, I sure as hell aint paying 2300 for the damn thing... I'll buy a new one ina few years before I fix that damn thing for that much, but thanx anyway. I'll take it apart when I get it in the garage and warm it up.

 

the kings have a prob with the breaks locking up usually after a wet ride. You can try to back the breaks off and pull the drain plugs when you get back from a ride. Mine will lock once in a while. Water will sit in the bottom of the drum and the water will make the breaks swell up. Good luck on your hunt.

 

Thank you all, very much... I'm glad there are still people out there that aren't afraid to help out... I would have probably started ripping things apart until I heard all this. I check out the breaks, thanx!

-long live the king baby!

 

My brother owns a 97 King and it[last yr] to was frozen and would'nt move.Upon further inspection,I noticed the drums were loaded with water and debree that froze the drums to the shoes.We thawed the King out and cleaned/dryed up everything,after that,she was back on the road again.I suppose thats why I tell everyone who owns a King to make sure before winter gets here to make sure their drums and brakes are dry and clean,or you see what could happen!
Bill