Well after closely inspecting and drooling over my new Kodiak 450, I was looking for the grease zerks in anticipation of my first maintenance. Well upon closer inspection I found that my rear right suspension had not been greased by the factory. There are upper and lower grease zerks for both rear wheels' suspension. I noticed grease swelled around the zerks on the left rear wheel and the right rear were completely clean and ungreased. The problem is that these zerks are completely blocked by the CV boot cover, and there's no way to get the grease gun on them even with a flex hose. I called the dealer and they said that greasing is not part of assembly, and they come pregreased from yamaha. I asked what do to because it's squeaking with only 10 miles on the bike and I don't want metal to metal contact. He checked with his techs and they had the same issue on a new 450 sitting on their floor, thanked me for telling them, and they called Yamaha's tech line. Yamaha reported back to the dealer that they are getting SEVERAL complaints of this very issue, and told them for ME to call yamaha and report it. Who knows if this logs me in , in the case of future warranty concerns, or what. In any case, it's impossible to grease them with a normal grease gun/flex hose. I found on the internet for $18 a special 90 degree grease gun adapter and ordered it . It should work perfectly but this is an expensive solution. The dealer didn't even have one, and when I told them about it, they said they'll probably end up ordering the same tool if there is no special yamaha factory tool.

Has anyone else with an 05 kodiak 450 looked closely at their rear suspension zerks? Has anyone successfully greased them? I hope I'm not alone here!

 

Great, thanks for the replies guys. 30 views no comments. LOL. I will be trying the 90 degree fitting today to see if it works.

 

you can buy grease fittings that are at a different angle which would allow access with your standard grease gun.take one out,go up to an auto parts store and match up the thread size.

 

Bip - I tried that but must need some washers, because after I got the thing threaded in (which was a miracle in itself in the small space) it turned a little too far in the wrong direction when it was tightened.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

Well I got the 90 degree grease gun adapter today at an auto parts store - and guess what - it still doesn't fit! I don't know what the yamaha engineers were thinking with this placement. There is supposedly some sort of right angle slide-on fitting used on older chrysler vehicles that just might work. Aside from that, I'm out of ideas. Oh btw, so is the dealer.

 

well this is my first post here. I have been visiting and reading often. I am in the same boat with my two 05 kodiaks. I have called around to a number of parts stores to find a 90 degree and I cant find anything. My Yamaha dealer has no F'n clue either. My dad and I are going to take them hunting this weekend and I want to make sure they are good to go. Both only have around 8 hours. If I come up with any new ideas I will let everyone know. Anybody else have any input?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

 

I just picked up a new 05 a couple weeks back.

I've noticed some squeeking during slow riding, or putting around, but mine seems to be the brakes, but I'm not 100% sure.

I'll have a look at mine and let ya know.

Jody S.

 

I have the squeaking.

Kodiak48 - I got the 90 degree fitting and it doesn't fit. This is a slim 90 degree fitting, only 1" in total length 90deg. The dealer suggested an automotive style needle fitting. While this won't clamp onto the zerk like a regular fitting, you can poke the little ball in the zerk open with the end of the needle fitting, and fill the grease in that way. We'll see. My dealer is closed tomorrow, however he said thursday he's bringing in his needle attachment, and will try it on the showroom unit that is also clean on the rear right.

I think if there is a washer that will adequately seal it, the 90 degree zerk fittings might be a good thing. I bought a box as I might have mentioned, and they thread in perfectly, although when tight they happen to turn in the wrong direction. They would allow perfect access to a regular grease gun, and I am puzzled at why yamaha engineered these retarded grease zerk locations.

 

The needle will work, you can hit it from different angles. I used the needle fitting all the time on airplanes lubing up there landing gear. (Some of landing gear zerks can only be felt not seen because they are so hard to get to.) You can use the needle fitting on all zerk fittings, to me it works better (not as much mess)

Get a needle fitting that screws on your grease gun hose. Don't use the one that just pops in a regular grease gun, they don't work to well. Should solve the problem.

I am hoping to get the new 450 Kodiak tomorrow if I can get off work early, I couldn't go last weekend.

 

Oh yeah, I bought a 97 Wolverine new from the dealer that had no oil in either the front or rear differential. My first ride ended in tragedy. I fault the dealer for not setting that one up properly. (They fixed it too after I raised cain)

Since then,I will always fully grease and top off fluids before I even throw a leg over any new quad I buy.

 

i took a tiny nail and pushed the little ball on the fitting. each time the nail had a small amount of grease on it so they evidently did lube them. i do feel that yamaha is liable to find a proper grease gun fitting at a fair price if not free.