Hello, new member here and was looking for some information and it looks like this might be the place to be. I have a 2000 yamaha kodiak 400 that I have had since new. Just noticed that the rear left axel (side with disc brake) is leaking what appears to be gear oil (it smells horrible). It definetely does not look like grease unless its just broke down. I am assuming that some rubber seal or something might be bad. My wheels are all tight etc and dont see any damage to the spindle or anything. Can anyone tell me if this is a do it myself job and do I need to remove the whole axel to determine what might be the problem. Just replaced my upper a arm bearings on my brute force and installed zirc fittings now I get to deal with this. Always wrenching on these things. Thanks in advance!

 

On the older 450's the axle seal is notorious for leaking especially after riding through mud and water. Hope that helps! Those usualay are not that hard to do. an easy fix if you will.

 

dodge... bear in mind that the rear end on the 450s and the 400s is different. the 450s have independent rear... and the 400's are solid. This may be dependent on the year of the bike though... i do not have specific knowledge about the 2000 version.

Could it be brake fluid?

 

Oooops My bad I thought it was the 450 LOL Soory bout that!

 

Definetely not brake fluid. Just wondering if I am going to have to figure out how to remove axel completely to get to oil seal and bearings. The 2000 model is the monoshock version. No IRS.

 

i have a solid axle on my 04 kodiak and you need to disconnect left side. caliper and hub. the axle slides out the right side so you can replace the oil seal. i would do both sides. on mine the dust seal on the right side needs to be 8.3 inches from the inside edge of the axle spline to the dust seal. as you tighten the left side axle nut the dust seal on the right side will set into place, to protect the oil seal of the final gear case. it is not that bad to do.

 

Well, the oil is leaking right behind the hub. By looking at a diagram it looks like there is an oil seal right inside the swing arm frame where the axel goes in. Im not certain but it looks like I don't even have to remove the axel if this is the problem. Any ideas?