Hello everyone,
i have a 2002 yamaha kodiak 400 4×4. I went on a ride and towards the end of the ride the rear end of my machine locked up tight. I beleive it is a transmission issue. When i put the shifter in reverse, neutral or high gear it tries to move but is locked up. It wont roll forward even when it is in neitral but it rolls backward. It still drives forward fine in low gear. Any ideas on where to start would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Sounds like it is stuck in low gear and when you try to put it in others it gets double geared, but I would have thought it would have gone forwards in neutral under power if this is the case. If it had not worked in low, there are many things it could be, if it has drum brakes, a lining can come off a shoe and jam in one direction. Pinion bearings or teeth can jam in axle, belt can break up and jam things, though it would still roll in neutral if it was the belt.

 

I was in high gear going about 45 when the rear tires locked up on me. Could it stuck in low gear if i was in high when it happened? It will roll backwards in neutral but not forward. When i roll it backwards it feels like there are more parts that are moving then there should be when it is in neutral.

 

I only once have had a bike jammed in low gear, it was an Eiger and not that old at the time. The low gear had seized and welded itself onto it's bearing collar, I suspect due to the factory fitting the collar incorrectly and blocking the oilway to it, this must have occurred when the bike was in high because, in low, the gear would not have been revolving on the bearing collar, but fixed to the shaft and doing the driving. If you take the belt cover off, the pulleys & belt should not revolve, in neutral, when you roll the bike, if they do, I think it must be jammed in low gear.

 

Thanks for the advice.