This past weekend I went on my first ride with my 2001 Wolverine. It was 3 hours of pure enjoyment. The machine is still well within the breakin period so I was taking it easy and enjoying some Minnesota Trails. When I returned from my ride I looked the machine over and found a crack in the rear axle. The crack extends from the wheel mounting spyder about an inch along the length of the axle. So here is my dilemma...

I know many of you have said the axles are problems, do I get a Durablue or RPM and junk the stock axle? Do I just put in a new stock axle and say it was a bad mold? What do aftermarket axles cost? Do I try to make the dealer pickup all or part of the tab?
I am well within the warranty because I picked the machine up on July 15th. Any and all opinions are greatly appreciated

Timrek11

'01 Wolverine
'95 Honda 300 4x4

 

I would think that this would be covered under warranty (a bent axle might be tough to warranty, but a cracked one sounds like a manufacturing defect to me). If the dealer does cover it under warranty ask them to put the cost of a stock replacement towards the purchase of an aftermarket one such as Durablue.

 

make your dealer replace it free of charge!!

 

WARRANTY!!!! And Fight it if they give you any hassle.

If they won't put the cost towards the Durablue, have them replace it then buy a Durablue b4 it bends again. Then you can try to sell or just save the new stocker as a backup.

I'm disappointed, I thought Yamaha would have had a design change on the new models.

 

I would have them put a new one on if they give you any problems I have the Yamaha customer service number or your dealer can give it to you. I would also look in to buying and aftermarket axle and then save your stock just in case. I don't believe they will give you credit towards an aftermarket axle though. It would have to come out of the dealers pocket if they did and most dealerships I know are pretty tight with giving money away. Yamaha is not going to give you store credit they don't own the stores. But if the dealer is nice enough he might keep it in stock for a later sale and then give credit on that. Just an idea. Hope this helps.