Is Your Quad About To Break?

ridnwarrior · #1 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 08:36 PM

Hi all...

I just went over my quad today looking forward to the next race.
I found a bolt that mounts the rear brake to the quad to be very loose.
This could have been a bad situation.
First of all, I would have lost my rear brakes during the next race and second, who knows how much it would have cost to fix it after I mangled it trying to get to the finish line.

After I finished fixing the rear brake, I was turning the rear wheel to make sure all was well when the rear wheel felt a little loose. Upon further inspection I found the center nut on the rear wheel hub was loose. I tightened it to 85 ft/lbs.
like the manual says.

I then spent alot more time just checking over the machine to see if I could find anything else. I did not but I figured it warranted a post on this website to remind people to check their own machines.

So people, get out there and check over your quad before the next ride.
You may be happy you did so.....................

rpyfz450 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 08:57 PM

Good advice! I did that last weekend after I notice my footpeg bolts comming loose. Those bolts used to come loose on my previous ATV as well.

Thos hub nuts, quite franly, suck. I don't know how to keep them tight. Mybe a big nail would be better than a cotter pin because there's lessfreeplay between it and the crown nut?

mike29 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 10:09 PM

:smiliethumbup:

toofast4uu · #4 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 11:45 PM

I stopped using cotter pins on my wheel nuts..I now use a clip thingy, you can buy at any hardware store...It alot thicker than the cotter pins...and you can snap it in, and out, and reuse them.

Also wanted to mention that I use LOCKTIGHT (Blue) on every bolt that I take out....and I have yet to have a problem backing them out at a later date...I think the loctite stops the corrosion from inhibiting the bolts....

A handy note: Go to PEPBOYS and buy the loctite that comes in a "Chapstick" type container. It costs about $12, but lasts alot longer than the small tubes they also sell, that dry up once you open it.

ttocs12321 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 11:56 PM

after 2 rides after i brought my bike home from getting the case fixed i noticed that my rear hub was terribly loose...i know they were back there because my sprocket was bent to from the chain...anyway 3 of the bolts holding the sprocket on were out, just hanging there (people that have changed a yfz rear sprocket no how those holts hang there when they are loosened) anyway, that kinda pissed me off being that i just spent $600+ in labor and waited 2 weeks longer then they said to have it fixed, they couldent even tighten all the bolts up right

so much for "Yamaha certified Mechanics"

Snafoow · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by christiangiorda@Mar 2 2005, 06:45 PM
I stopped using cotter pins on my wheel nuts..I now use a clip thingy, you can buy at any hardware store...It alot thicker than the cotter pins...and you can snap it in, and out, and reuse them.

Also wanted to mention that I use LOCKTIGHT (Blue) on every bolt that I take out....and I have yet to have a problem backing them out at a later date...I think the loctite stops the corrosion from inhibiting the bolts....

A handy note: Go to PEPBOYS and buy the loctite that comes in a "Chapstick" type container. It costs about $12, but lasts alot longer than the small tubes they also sell, that dry up once you open it.
<div align='right'><{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[/quote]

:smiliethumbup: Great advice. I put a drop of loc tight on most of my fasteners on my bike over the years. I have very little trouble with bolts coming loose since then. :rider:

rpyfz450 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by christiangiorda@Mar 2 2005, 06:45 PM
I stopped using cotter pins on my wheel nuts..I now use a clip thingy, you can buy at any hardware store...It alot thicker than the cotter pins...and you can snap it in, and out, and reuse them.

Yes, they're called "cleavis pins".

Quote:

Originally posted by christiangiorda@Mar 2 2005, 06:45 PM
Also wanted to mention that I use LOCKTIGHT (Blue) on every bolt that I take out....and I have yet to have a problem backing them out at a later date...I think the loctite stops the corrosion from inhibiting the bolts....

I've used the red and blue threadlocks and can say you won't have much trouble removing bolts with either. Maybe if you use the red on really big bolts, like the kind you don't find on an ATV will you have trouble removing them. From what I can tell, the threadlock crystalizes and expands in the threads.

dirtgirl · #8 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rpyfz450@Mar 2 2005, 03:57 PM
Good advice!* I did that last weekend after I notice my footpeg bolts comming loose.* Those bolts used to come loose on my previous ATV as well.

Thos hub nuts, quite franly, suck.* I don't know how to keep them tight.* Mybe a big nail would be better than a cotter pin because there's lessfreeplay between it and the crown nut?
<div align='right'><{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[/quote]

I always check my bolts before every race. A friend of mine got me started doing that after he lost both footpegs in one of the local harescrambles on the last lap. He rode for about 5 miles without footpegs. Sucked to be him. That's all it took to convince me that checking them is important. For the hub nuts, I have a better fix - I replaced the castle nuts with nylon lock nuts. I still install the cotter pin, but that is just to make sure the nut don't loosen. I have not had a problem. Only thing, if you ever have to remove the nuts for anything, you should replace them with new ones. Hondas take an 18mm fine thread.... I don't know about any other ones. I don't remember what size the ones are on the Zilla...