Need some help here. Am admittedly not the best mechanic around, but need some help with my 05 Kodiak 450. Rode a weekend ago and put the trailer in the garage for the week. Went out to the garage the today and saw fluid on the trailer deck and on the garage floor. After some inspection it looks like it is leaking from the rear gear casing. It seems like a seal may have come loose on the side of the rear diff. Anybody know of this issue and what should I do to resolve it? Is this something that falls under a warranty. The bike is under 3 months old and has about 22 hours on it. Want to go out this weekend, but don't want to risk any major damage. Any help would be great!!!
Thanks-
Rio

 

Your problem is the seal where the half shaft goes into the rear diff. A friend has a 05 Kodiak as well, and he saw his leaking, took it to the dealer, and they fixed under warranty. The only problem was getting a seal shipped to them in time for us to go to TN to Coal Creek and ride back in April. The seal came just in time, and he got to go, but not with out some threats to customer service at Yamaha. As far as riding it, it is a little risky, there is a chance that mud, water, and dirt can get in there and destroy you rear diff. If it were I, I would take it to the dealer immediately and get it fixed, I know it sucks if you can't go ride, but there is alot of summer left. If they have one, doubtful, it would only take a couple of hours to fix.

 

Thanks for the help. I will call them tomorrow and see what they can do. How often does this happen? Is this something that will be a nagging problem?
Rio

 

Your two are the only ones I have heard of. He has put I guess several hundred miles on his with no more leakage. It might been that the seal went on crooked or got pinched when installed at the factory. I don't know but it looks like the Suzuki and Yamaha and other IRS rears come from the same manufacturer, don't know who, but in some of the pics I have seen they look the same. I have checked my fluid a few times in the 850 miles I have on mine and they seem to be okay.

 

Talked to the dealer and they said they would look at it and get it taken care of. They said there was no service bulletin for that type of thing, so it must not be a frequent issue. Thanks for your help and keep on riding.
Rio