I have a bone stock '06 grizzly. About a month ago I noticed my front right lower boot had come off and mud and grit was mixed in with the grease. We were camping and all I could do was add new grease and put a hose clamp over the boot. Now I have a clicking sound coming from that axle. So here are my questions:
1. Do I replace the whole axle, or just the cv joint.
2. If I replace the axle, should I go with gorillas or OEM (I plan on going to prob 27" maxxis bighorns or gbc dirt tamers)
3. If i go with the gorillas, can I do one axle at a time, or should I replace all 4 at one protime.

Also a big problem I am having now is steering. My friend has an identical grizzly, and mine is now like 4 times harder to steer. Lock the front end and you can forget it, where as I could man handle it locked with ease when I first got it. It started about the same time as the clicking. I think is either b/c of the worn out cv joint, something going wrong with the limited slip, or steering linkage needs lubing if thats possible. PLEASE HELP!!!

 

If it's an '06 Grizzly, is it still under warranty? If so, it's the dealer's problem and it should be covered. If it's not, I'd still let them know you're unhappy about having to deal with a new CV joint so early since you've owned it. You're most likely going to have to replace the axle. Although they're pricey, Gorillas are the way to go if you're going to put monster tires on it.

Why are you going to 27" tires? Unless you're going to do a lot of mud bogging, it's a waste - especially on a Grizzly.

A) They're already a great mud machine and have excellent ground clearance
B) More rotating mass = more strain on the CV joints, reduction in useable power, less stability.

Anyway, just curious.

 

If your boot came off the dealer is most likely not going to cover that under warranty. Mine wouldn't. As far as fixing your problem, you should not have to replace the entire axle, only the cv joint.

I had the same thing happen to me on the rear of mine. I only had about 500 miles on it. It was still under warranty but the dealers in my area wouldn't cover it. I bought an outboard cv joint from THECVMAN on Ebay. He sells cv joints for just about everything. I have had it in for 1500 miles not with no issues and the boot he gives you is much stronger than the stock boot. He was very good to deal with and sent me instructions for how to replace the joint.

Oh yeah, his cv joints are also about half the cost of OEM joints.

As far as your steering issues, it doesn't really sound like you have any issues. I have 26" Mudlites on my Grizzly and if I lock the front diff. the quad is nearly undriveable. Every Grizzly I have ever ridden is like that. It's not bad in normal 4x4 mode but if you put it in diff. lock....forget it.

I am not sure if your cv joint is the same as mine (05 model) or not but here is a link to one that fits my quad.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YAMAH...temZ4522685549

 

I am sorry, I meant to say 26" Tires. I just want to go a tad bit bigger. No lift or anything like that. As far as the steering, I understand it being tough when the front is locked. What I am talking about is even in two wheel drive its almost undrivable b/c its so stiff. I cant ride for more than an hour now cause my wrist start hurting like crazy. Like I sadi, hop on my friends which is identical and its night and day different. It did not use to be this tough. And its outta waranty.

 

If your cv joint is bad you are also putting strain on the wheel bearing ,because the cv joint is binding up,and it may be getting loose be sure to check that also. I also had a boot come off , mine was cause of ice build up. Dealer will not pay for the boot that is always the drivers fault.I replaced my boot right away and got lucky, cv joint was good.I have replaced all 4 bearings on my Griz ,I believe it is do to the 26" mud tires , I wont ride without them though. Good luck.

 

Yeah those bearings definitely wear out if you have oversize tires. I have replaced three bearings in 2000 miles.

 

Just out of curiosity, I just bought a used grizzly 660 (not sure what Year) and I rode with some friends the other day and noticed grease dripping from the aluminum undercarriage protector, and after searching it appears to be coming from the front drivetrain. I am not sure which joint you guys are talking about but the shaft that comes from the rear (from the engine I assume) that goes right into the front axle is where it appears mine is leaking, and not the axle going to the wheels. Is this the same thing you guys are talking about? It hasn't started making any noise or anything like that but I'm afraid to ride it until I get it fixed. I did want to ask, however, if there was supposed to be a rubber boot on this shaft that goes into the front gearbox, since I don't remember there being one there (There is one a couple inches further BACK on that shaft where the shaft itself is about 3/4 inch diameter, but I can't find where it may have fell off. The spot where it seems to be leaking is where shaft assembly actually attaches at the gearbox itself. Thanks for any help.

Here is a Picture of where it appears to be leaking:
and a couple other pics to give an idea.
http://65.5.245.29/axle1.jpg
http://65.5.245.29/axle2.jpg
http://65.5.245.29/axle3.jpg

 

there is a seal right inside the front diff. It will must likely be the cause of the leak.

 

Thanks for the reply, having it checked/replaced tomorrow.

 

Thats not the same thing I was asking about, but I have had that problem. Mine is a '06 and it started leaking from there just weeks after i got it. Normally I do my own work but since it was so new I took it back for it to be covered under warranty. I just assumed they would refill the front differential with fluid, but I was wrong. So def. check the fluid level especially if you just bought it b/c that leak might have been there for a while.