A Broken Halfshaft Axle – Your Options

So you got yourself a broken halfshaft axle and you are now pondering whether to just chunk it or could it be of any further use to you? Well a broken axle will surely be of no use to your rig, however instead of tossing it, try the following things. It may be worth your while.

· Get the Halfshaft Axle Inspected

Don’t make the final judgment on your own. Get an expert opinion. Take it to a truth worthy mechanic or your local ATV parts dealer. They have certified technicians that will accurately tell you whether there is anything that can be done about the axle.

· It Might be Repairable

A broken axle doesn’t always mean it’s physically damaged or broken into pieces. Some broken axles can be repaired. Unless the damage is obvious, an ATV technician will be instrumental in determining just that.

· Try the Junk Yard

In the event the axle is confirmed to be broken and of no use, hope is not lost. Try the local junk yards. They will gladly pay some money for the broken equipment. The axle may not find its way back on an ATV but it can be further broken down and its remaining working parts can be salvaged into something more useful.

Junk yards are always on the lookout for such equipment and while they will not pay much, it is still better than just tossing the axle altogether.

If you have a damaged halfshaft axle and are unsure of what to do with it, try the above mentioned tips. Broken equipment or not, there is always something that you can do in order to get the most out of ATV parts.

What you Should know about a Suzuki U-Joint

Suzuki makes some of the most fascinating ATVs in the business. They are very popular among ATV enthusiasts. A very important component of the Suzuki ATV is the U-Joint that is used in transmission shafts. In this post we will look at workings of a Suzuki U-Joint and what ATV enthusiasts should know about it.

What Is a U-Joint?

A U-joint is short for Universal Joint and also goes by other name variations such as Hooke’s Joint and Cardan Joint. U-Joints made by Suzuki are no different than any other U-joint used in ATVs. It is a joint in a rigid metallic rod that allows the rod to bend in any given direction. It consists of a pair of hinges that are located close to one another connected by a cross shaft.

What comes with a U-Joint Assembly?

It should be noted that a U-Joint does not come by itself. The following parts come with it.

· U-Joint

· U-Joint Clips

· Case hardened Steel Caps

· Zert Fitting (depending on the series)

Original Vs Generic Parts

Buying original parts directly from the manufacturer or from an authorized dealer is the safest bet when it comes to ATVs. Granted that generic parts exist that are cheaper and more readily available, they come at the cost of durability and functionality, two very important ATV variables.

Suzuki U-Joints are used in both front and back axles as well as in Quad series. This small part is a key component in ATV maneuverability. If you are shopping for a U-Joint, your local authorized ATV parts dealer would be the best place to start.

5 Common Mistakes People make with ATV Boots

Oftentimes, people who have ATVs do not have a firm understanding of its mechanics. When they go out to purchase something for their ATV or make repairs themselves, they end up making the mistakes and cost themselves money in the long run. One such case is with ATV boots and here we will go over some mistakes people make with them.

1. CV Boots for Automobiles can work on ATVs – This is a big misunderstanding. Even though they look the same as those used for automobiles, they cannot be used interchangeably.

2. Generic ATV Boots Work Just As Good – Another costly mistake. Generic boots are cheap no doubt, but the quality, the material and the engineering used in it doesn’t match those made by original manufactures. They also wear out faster and are more prone to breaks.

3. They Need Not Be Checked – An ATV must be looked after to ensure its functionality. This can be done by performing constant checks on its parts such as ATV boot. If it’s worn out to a significant extent, it’s time to replace it.

4. One Model ATV Boot Fits Them All – There are over a dozen ATV manufacturers and they each use their own versions of an ATV boot. Some people may get away with it by using CV boots from one model into another however the risk remains. Just because it fits, doesn’t mean it’s the right one.

5. A Used ATV Boot Works Just as Good – Not quiet. It depends on how used the ATV boot is to begin with. A used boot will likely have some tears in it. Using it will suffice for the time being but eventually it will give out much sooner than a new one would.

Keeping the above points in mind, ATV users should be able to make the right choice when it comes to purchasing ATV boots. It’s always best to do your research and get it done right the first time around.

How to Detect and Change a Faulty Grizzly 660 Joint?

CV Joint is the primary component of an ATV. Just like any other part of an automobile or a machine, the CV Joint may experience wear and tear over time and will either need to be repaired or replaced. The procedure itself is very straightforward but it does require some skill to accomplish.

Signs of a Faulty Honda Grizzly 660 CV Joint

The following are a few common signs of a CV joint giving out in a Honda CV 660. They are actually common to all ATV and not just that specific model:

· Vibration during acceleration

· A shudder or knocking sound during acceleration

· A popping or clicking noise when turning

· Tires wobbling while accelerating

Changing a Grizzly 660 CV Joint

First and foremost, the defective CV joint must be removed from the shaft. The outer CV Joint on Honda Grizzly 660 models is usually held on the shaft by a lock which can be somewhat difficult to remove.

The following steps should be taken in order to remove and change the CV Joint:

· Disassemble the CV joints by titling the inner race to one side

· Insert a dowel into the spines of the inner shaft and tilt as far as possible to expose one of the balls.

· Use a screw driver to remove it from its cage it.

· Tilt the inner race to the opposite side to expose the other ball and remove it as well. The CV joint can now be safely removed

· Install the new CV joint and follow the steps in reverse.

The Honda Grizzly 660 is a very dependable ATV model in the sense that it has a solid structure and its CV Joints rarely go bad. In any event, riders should be knowledgeable in all aspects of their ATV and be prepared for anything.