Can any one help. Have an old 350 fourtrax. While riding it suddenly started making a loud grinding noise (sounds like its from the lower half of the motor, left side, behind shifter). The sound is more like a screech, loud. Parked the machine and noticed it does it in neutral too. When it screeches there is a vibration on the foot pegs too. Don't notice any slippage driving, motor runs fine. Is this a clutch problem? Any ideas?

 

Sounds like one of the crank bearings.

 

Thanks for the feed back. I looked at that as a possability. I did drain the oil and checked it under light- no metal. I also put a magnet in the oil and it came back spotless. I did have to drive it back aways to get it in the shed and I would think if it was a bearing it should have seized up. I've had snowmobiles throw bearings and when they go it's very quick. Going to pop the side cover off in a couple of days and see what's in there.

 

was bad generator bearing

 

Nice to know.