I am posting this for my neighbor (who doesn't have internet). His 01' Raptor is making some awful gnashing noises as he takes off or when he starts the thing. It's kind of a cross between a grinding and gnashing noise. It happens all the time when the starter is turning over the engine or just as he takes off (slowly) in 1st gear. He's afraid his tranny is shot, but maybe not if the noises during starting and taking off are somehow related. Any suggestions for what might be causing the problem?

 

I don't know myself but I am pretty sure I have the same problem. It sounds like it's coming from the transmission when I take off, it grinds when I take off slowly but then goes away when I get some speed up. It also has happened when I tried to start the quad. As the motor was turning over it started to grind, the sounds seemed to be the same. I won't be able to get it into the dealer for about a week or so though. If anyone has an idea what this might be let us know. I should be able to save my dealer some time that way.

 

When it makes these noises does it start very well? If not it is probably your one way starter clutch. Mine went out once and started to go out again but then fixed itself. If it does start well do you have a skidplate? I had afriend who thought his was tearing up and it ended up just being the skidplate ratilling.

 

I have started and ridden my neighbors Raptor enough to know it does not start well at all. The grinding/gnashing noise seems to inhibit the starter, sort of like it is bogging it down as well as making it grind. Thanks for the info I will tell him to look into the possibility that it may be his starter clutch