Dying ATV won't shift

B

Bufford

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Mar 13, 2006
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I have a 1996 Yamaha Kodiak 400. Its been a good reliable machine that has done alot of work and never let me down since I bought it 11 years ago.

However, the other day I could no longer shift gears (its the old shaft drive with the manual foot shifter style). I managed to get it back into 1st gear low range, which is used most of the time anyways.

Depending on how much work is needed, I may fix the old ATV, but at the same time the motor is getting creaky- sounds good when cold, but rattles like bolts in a metal bucket once it gets hot. It may be one of those jobs where the whole machine has to be taken appart to replace one 'two bit part', but I don't really know much about the mechanicals of these machines.

So to me, this sound like ATV death.

I am looking to replace the ATV with the new Yamaha Grizzly with the 700, and more importantly the new power steering system, which is great for a guy like me who has underwent alot of surgery in the past leaving my abdominal muscles weak.

A couple questions here:
1) While waiting for the new machine, can I safely use the old ATV with only
1st gear, or will the tranny pack up completely?

2nd) Has anyone had experiences with the new Yamaha Grizzly 700 with the power steering? I am also looking at the Polaris ATVs.
 
I use to own an ATV. After a certain amount if time the engines need rebuilt, bearings, pistons, etc. Since it's a four cycle engine it may just need valve lash adjustment and a little heavier viscosity oil.

As far as the transmission goes it may just need some linkage adjustment. I doubt it will go completely. (Have you checked transmission oil level?)

OTOH if you want a new one, got for it, You got your money's worth.
 
I'm not a big ATV guy, never owned one just ridden a few here and there. The main thing I would caution you on is to give some thought to the size of the 700 before you buy it. Don't know if you've seen one in person yet or not, but there is no way it will fit everywhere your old 400 did.
I've ridden several from 350cc's up to 500 cc's and the big ones are longer, wider and don't turn near as well. And while its easy for 2 people to tip a 350 up into the bed of a truck, you'll need at least 4 if you decide to try a 700.
 
Don't get me wrong, I am usually a strong beleiver that more power solves every off road problem, but I think the trend towards monster motored ATVs is kind of silly. I have found that I can do everything I need to do with a 500 with less weight and for less money than with super size ATV. However, if you want a new ATV, go for it and enjoy yourself. :D

P.S. The transmission problem is probably a bearing on one of the transmission shafts or a clutch problem. If I were you, I would at least find out what the problem is before I made any major decisions. Clutch repairs are pretty cheap and easy. Stupid question--have you checked the oil level and condition? My motorcycles shift horribly when the oil gets low or really old.
 
I had a Kawasaki KLX 250 trail bike that used to stick in first. It was caused by the pawl mechanism that is attached to the lever and shifts the gear train. It was easy to fix, remove the gear lever and crankcase cover, then remove the lever shaft with the pawl. Replace the pawl and re-assemble. I would guess diassembly in an ATV is more difficult because of all the plastic fairings and crash bars.
 
Thanks for the input here so far. I did the usual things such as checking the oil, and hoping it was low, but all the usuall visible things look or feel right.

The size of the new machine is of concern for exactly what Matt said, as the trail is very rough and some parts are very tight. But with the huge loads and the weight of it all, I am hoping a bigger machine may make things more manageable.

Its a big pile of money, but it gets well used around here for hauling gear to camp, and trailer loads of firewood out of my wood lot. Our winters are so short now making snowmobiles useless for months, which used to be big snow seasons in the past, that ATVs can be used for much of the winter.
 
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