idler wheel question

[Grimm]

I wouldn't believe that Yamaha would warranty a bearing due to them being "rough" as you defined in your first post. However, if the wheel is warped and your sled falls under the warranty period, then they probably would.

Me, I just ended up replacing the idler and rear wheels with aftermarkets. I didn't even bother with Yamaha because the dealer I went to didn't have replacements in stock (a common problem I understand), plus I didn't to wait that long for them to come up with the newer spoked replacement wheel. I was told to check in August!

 

[SledFreak]

Maybe I just have a good dealer, because a bearing should last more than 2000 miles. My small inside rear idler bearings are done on my GT and it only has 1400 miles on it. I already told my dealer and he said he would change the whole thing, but he said wait till the fall with the new idlers.

 

[maddogjeff]

Good luck. That's what they told me last year. So I nicely waited till fall and they put the '06 wheels on and, "oh, by the way, you're studded, they aren't covered by the warrenty". Then I had to wait till January to actually test and use them and we all know now that the '06 wheels were crap, mine blew apart afer 400 miles.. Dealer says Yamaha won't cover them (because I'm studded), maybe I should wait till the '07 wheels come out. I put the Doo wheels on and haven't looked back.

 

[vice108]

So can you use a grease needle to lube the stock wheels that DONT have replacable bearings or will it only work with removable bearings?

 

[Grimm]

So can you use a grease needle to lube the stock wheels that DONT have replacable bearings or will it only work with removable bearings?

Yes you can for the small idlers, but not the rear outside wheels.

 

[vice108]

So can you use a grease needle to lube the stock wheels that DONT have replacable bearings or will it only work with removable bearings?

Yes you can for the small idlers, but not the rear outside wheels.

Thanks

 

[Len Todd]

YES replaced my two rear outside wheels at ~4,000 miles.

 

[**sj**]

PORT-PARTS..
I think the fact you are a dealer and witnessing first hand the grief caused by putting what seems to be an inferior set up on a premium priced sled...you should forward the groups (I'll call us a group) disatisfaction on here to Yamaha ....this should not be allowed to continue on the 07's...
I mean they are marketing the quality with a sled costing over 10 g's....I mean you can buy a car for a little more...so a premium sled with rebuildable shocks and advanced this and that....and then skimp what would be a few bucks on inferior wheel/bearing set up is crazy...
you guys shouldnt have to be tweaking or finding solutions on the wheel/bearings....the more I have thought about this..I can see 5,000 miles...then having to think about having to do something....hell we all know of old yammies making it around 10k without needing a wheel/bearing replacement...

 

[vice108]

Just to complete this thread for those that find it during a search down the road:

I bought a grease needle and was able to grease my wheel bearings easily. Even the 06 wheels that DONT have replacable bearings were easily greased. I simply removed the wheel and then pried out the little dust cover with a small screw driver. I also greased the jack-shaft and drive-axle bearings using this same method. It was a piece of cake. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[**sj**]

good reply..any pics?

 

[vice108]

good reply..any pics?

I had actually planned on pictures, but we had a baby two weeks ago and now my wife has the digital camera where ever she and baby Will go.

 

[Exciter Man]

Did the wheels loosen up and run smooth after you greased them? I would have thought that once they start running rough, it will only be a matter of time before they seize up again. You better make sure you check them on a regular basis next year because once you break the bearing seal cover, it is just a matter of time before water gets back into the bearing. It might be different with the jack shaft bearings because they are not bombarded with snow and ice but any of the suspension bearings will definitely be prone to water leakage

 

[easylord]

Just picked up my sled today. Routine scheduled service. I told them they could take their time -and they did. lol Anyway, they gave me new idler wheels on warranty. I wasn't even aware of the problem. Their call not mine.

 

[vice108]

Did the wheels loosen up and run smooth after you greased them? I would have thought that once they start running rough, it will only be a matter of time before they seize up again. You better make sure you check them on a regular basis next year because once you break the bearing seal cover, it is just a matter of time before water gets back into the bearing. It might be different with the jack shaft bearings because they are not bombarded with snow and ice but any of the suspension bearings will definitely be prone to water leakage

They spin as smooth as butter now. I know there are different opinions on popping out the bearring seal - but I have to tell you they came out easily without doing any damage what so ever. When I put them back in they sealed perfectly all the way around just as they were before. I found that most of the wheels were already dried out after 1,900 miles. The jackshaft bearring looked good but the drive axle bearring had a fair amount of water in it.