I can see that this is not that big of an issue. Score one for Yamaha.
4Fighter
TY 4 Stroke God
Happ said:
:ORC Until yours breaks.
According to this post, perhaps. Mine broke at about 2,350 miles. I have just over 3,000 miles and just checked it last week when doing the extensions. Still holding up. As for the relay rods, they're still original and in good shape.
LazyBastard
TY 4 Stroke God
I've only heard ONE report of relay rods breaking.
nhrxrider
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Well I heard of more than one report of the RR breaking...when I posted my new, custom, reinforced rods for sale, I had several e-mails from people wanting them because theirs had broken, a couple had broken more than one set. I don't think its a widespread issue like the W arms though.
I know many people have been able to reinforce their W arms, but I think adding even more weight to one of the heaviest suspensions in the industry isn't the best course of action. Besides, you are still left with a suspension that rides and handles terribly.
Jim
I know many people have been able to reinforce their W arms, but I think adding even more weight to one of the heaviest suspensions in the industry isn't the best course of action. Besides, you are still left with a suspension that rides and handles terribly.
Jim
SARGENT
Extreme
broke 3 w arms, 1 relay rod,1 trans rod,9000 miles
KbxSrx
TY 4 Stroke Guru
QUOTING HAPP- NEWBIE
I can see that this is not that big of an issue. Score one for Yamaha.
Happ we had orders for 400 W arms in 2 years.
Everyone I know that had anything from SX to MM to SRX, anything with a no-action skid that rides hard at all, broke it.
deduct one from Yamaha.
I can see that this is not that big of an issue. Score one for Yamaha.
Happ we had orders for 400 W arms in 2 years.
Everyone I know that had anything from SX to MM to SRX, anything with a no-action skid that rides hard at all, broke it.
deduct one from Yamaha.
LazyBastard
TY 4 Stroke God
I built mine custom from really really really thick steel.
LiLAl
Extreme
impalapower
TY 4 Stroke God
Lilal, never saw that one before. How did that happen? Have you been greasing it?
ridesrx
Pro
I had two broken w-arms. One on a 98 SRX and one on a 2000 SX600r. I reinforced both never broke again.
LiLAl
Extreme
I was on a groomed trail though a field. There was the odd medium sized bumb. I hit one earlier that I felt up my spine, but that was a few miles back. Trails are in great shape, considering the lack of recent snow. Yes, I grease my machine regularly. Just got the skid out. Seems fine, except for the broken arm. Might take it to a local guy to see if he can weld and reinforce it.
Al
Al
dyama
Veteran
Doing a routine inspection and also notced a cracked W arm.Will have it welded today. 
4Fighter
TY 4 Stroke God
Broken again at 4460 miles.
YamaSnowPilot
Veteran
Broken w bar on 97 XTC,98 SX,99 Sx,2000 SXR,2001 SRX,so basically every Yama we have owned had to weld some more then once.But they have gotten away from the w bar in the 06 thank god.
Bob Miller
TY 4 Stroke Master
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This post belongs here also:
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 1:54 am Post subject: YAMAHA, The Problem with your W-ARM
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Yamaha, I hope your listening. I recently removed the rear skid from my 04 Warrior to do a complete inspection and preventive maintenance.
I do all my own mechanical work and I've been a Welder, Fabricator for 25 years with 17 certifications.
Upon inspecting the "INFAMOUS W-ARM" I found this: At first I looked it over and said to myself; this looks like a pretty well designed unit and found it hard to believe that they where breaking on so many people!
At first glance it looked to me like there was nothing wrong with mine, but then upon closer inspection I found this: on the cross member which has the loops that the limiter straps go through, on one of the inside corner welds, at the edge of the weld, a crack was starting Upon inspecting all of the other inside welds I noticed this: They where all UNDERCUT WELDS! What does this mean? Ideally you want your bead (weld) to mound outward, because when a weld is done properly it is stronger than the base metal! But these undercut welds are inverted like a "U" and the edge of the weld on both sides of the weld is gouging into the tubing and the cross member, effectively weakening it, thinning the metal at these points down to as much as 1/32". As you ride your machine the weakest link is now these undercut welds and it is just a matter of time!
I personally think that if proper welds where done at these critical points that there would no longer be any problems with these W-ARM's. I Arc Welded mine, now Yamaha it's time to fess up and admit you made a mistake, and make it right for all your loyal customers!
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 1:54 am Post subject: YAMAHA, The Problem with your W-ARM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yamaha, I hope your listening. I recently removed the rear skid from my 04 Warrior to do a complete inspection and preventive maintenance.
I do all my own mechanical work and I've been a Welder, Fabricator for 25 years with 17 certifications.
Upon inspecting the "INFAMOUS W-ARM" I found this: At first I looked it over and said to myself; this looks like a pretty well designed unit and found it hard to believe that they where breaking on so many people!
At first glance it looked to me like there was nothing wrong with mine, but then upon closer inspection I found this: on the cross member which has the loops that the limiter straps go through, on one of the inside corner welds, at the edge of the weld, a crack was starting Upon inspecting all of the other inside welds I noticed this: They where all UNDERCUT WELDS! What does this mean? Ideally you want your bead (weld) to mound outward, because when a weld is done properly it is stronger than the base metal! But these undercut welds are inverted like a "U" and the edge of the weld on both sides of the weld is gouging into the tubing and the cross member, effectively weakening it, thinning the metal at these points down to as much as 1/32". As you ride your machine the weakest link is now these undercut welds and it is just a matter of time!
I personally think that if proper welds where done at these critical points that there would no longer be any problems with these W-ARM's. I Arc Welded mine, now Yamaha it's time to fess up and admit you made a mistake, and make it right for all your loyal customers!
