I checked the front and rear differentials on both my 2006 Kodiak 450 4x4 and my son's 2007 Grizzly 350 4x4 and they were all low on gear oil! I bought a 8oz bottle of oil at the dealer and used the whole bottle to fill the two bikes. Both bikes have under 20 hours! Is this the fault of Yamaha (Japan) or of the dealer? Talk about saving a buck. Anyone had this experience? Thanks

 

SHOULD HAVE SHOVED IT UP THE DEALERS END........

 

It would have been filled by the manufacturer, but should have been checked by the dealer in PDI. And there could be a chance that it is not suspossed to be filled to the hole and that it actually needs a little less.

 

No visible signs of leaking or seapage? Then it probably wasn't checked in PDI. That should raise a warning flag and it would probably be in your best interest to check all remaining fluids.

My rear axle seals seap a bit... but not to the point where the fluid is visibly low. I've changed them out twice and my mechanic friend at the Yamaha store said I'll change 'em forever. If I don't like the seaping look I should just keep an eye on the fluid and wipe them off when they start to look a little damp.

 

Well, what started the whole thing was one of the rear drive shafts on my bike had begun to leak, so when I checked it I figured I'll check them all. I went to the local Yamaha shop, not where I bought them, to buy more fluid and I asked the them about it there. They said that the dealer is supposed to check that the manufacturer filled them correctly. They asked me what year models they were because they said there was a bulletin out that some of the '07 & '08s were shipped out with little or no gear oil in them. Kind of scary. Well, I'm learning that you can't entirely trust a dealer just because of who they are, because they are employed by people like us who can make mistakes. The only difference is we have an investment in our bike and to them its just another lousy day at work. Remember, in the USA, "quality is job 2" after "profit".

 

I hear ya bro... My bikes' are in a heated garage. More like a clubhouse for me and my pals to hang out. You know... tellin' stories and havin' some cold ones. So I'm constantly checkin' stuff on an almost daily or weekly basis that really doesn't need to be checked so frequently. I just do it for an excuse to be out there, in the garage. But it has proven to be helpful 'cause I'm about 75% mechanical and have become 100% in tune with all movin' parts on my machinery. If something looks out of place I notice it right away. Plus... nothin' beats the bull$hitin' that goes on after a few Budweisers eh?!