Why are the Nytro ball joints failing?

[Nitrousman1]

I've read about quite a few 08 Nytro's with the ball joints failing in the first year. Does anyone know why they're failing and if it will have a different type of joint for 09? I know the front end geometry is changed for 09 but do you really think that's why the joints are failing? If that's the case then the guys with 08's should stock up joints so they can replace them a few times a season. Still trying to decide what I want to order for 09.

 

[Alatalo]

If you do aggressive trail riding, cross country riding or snocross, the bearing liner will fall apart and fall out before you have reached 1000 kilometers. You will for sure notice, because you get like 2-3 millimeters of free play...
Some people claim that frequent lubrication will help. I have tried both (lubrication vs. no lubrication) but I can honestly say that I noticed no difference.
The correct fix would be to use a different design ball joint. Different liner material, seals and proper grease zerks would help. Look at the aftermarket options mentioned on this site, or look at the design of the Ski-Doo ball joint (both of them can handle one snocross season without problems, though, the Ski-Doo option will for sure not fit the Nytro).
Yamaha is for sure aware of the problem since it did exist also in the 2007 Phazer, but I have got no idea if they will use something different for next season.

 

[Snowman07]

I ran mine for 2600 miles before I noticed that the right ball joint liner was hanging out, and I ride balls to the wall over any terrain. The left one was still good. I had them both replaced under warranty. My dealer showed me the new ones, and to be honest, I couldn't tell the differance. Maybe they did something different, but not sure.

I wouldn't let the ball joint issue change your mind about getting the Nytro. Many TY members have found solutions to making the 08 Nytro perform pretty good. I have about got mine dialed in with just one more adjustment I need done over the summer. Trust me, this sled is a keeper.

 

[Doogs]

Mine were shot at the 1400km mark, as well as my inner tie rod ends and all of my a-arm bushings. The dealer said there was nothing wrong with them and all that play was normal. I contacted CS and they told me if I'm not happy, go to another brand! Heh, maybe I will.

 

[nate007]

Yamaha changes 11 different parts for '09, I was told. There will be upgrades to address most, if not all the issues concerning the weak front ends and parts.

 

[Nitrousman1]

Yamaha changes 11 different parts for '09, I was told. There will be upgrades to address most, if not all the issues concerning the weak front ends and parts.

Have they listed the changes anywhere online so I can read them? It would be nice to know before I snowcheck something by Tuesday. If they haven't made any changes I'll probably be on a new Doo next year.

 

[Traildale]

I just talked to my dealer - Hauck Power Sports - Rice Lake Wisconsin. I brought my Nytro in for ball joint and front end bushing replacement, and also a fix for the front end which seems out of alignment. They indicated that Yamaha has a fix for the front suspension parts that are wearing out and that it won't be distributed until late summer 09. He could replace the parts under warranty now, but they would have to replace them again in the Fall when the update kit is available. They also mentioned that Yamaha admitted thay had some problems with misalligned jigs when welding the front ends on the Nytro - but they did not yet know what Yamaha was going to do about that yet.

FYI - If your dealer is telling you that the worn-out front end is not their problem, don't believe it.

 

[unpride]

So is this going to be an advertised fix?, or is it just a rumor?

 

[Doogs]

I'd say just a rumor. Both my dealer and a CS rep flatly told me to buy from the competition if I'm not happy. No mention of "please hold out for an update"

 

[NH Rider]

aAt the dealer meeting it was address, the machine process was not correct on some ball joints, the internals were not smooth enough which is acting like sandpaper on the teflon insert. Sounded like it was not all of them, and replacement ball joints are supposed to be correct.

 

[nate007]

Don't think for a minute that you'd be able to buy from the competition and not have any issues. They all have some sort of issues. At least at this point I have yet to see a Yamaha that was put out of service because of a bent front end? Mine is tweaked also, but theres no safety issue, and it rode just fine. I didn't even notice the spindles being out of alignment until after this season, so waiting for a fix is no big deal.
Any of the manufacturers out there would step up and take care of their customers to keep their customers.
I can't see why anybody would jump ship just because the update kit won't be available until fall. We don't have snow now anyway, and I think I'd rather wait unti I drag it out this fall to make any repairs like that anyway.
I would reserve the critisizm until Yamaha doesn't make the update kit in time for riding season....

 

[Doogs]

Nate,
Scott of Yamaha Customer Service (Canada) told me to buy another brand if I wasn't happy. Sure doesn't sound like they're about to step up, or even that they care about customers. I love my Nytro, but I'm not happy that it isn't going to be fixed under warranty. Have a look at my thread called "a straight answer"

 

[KINS]

Nate,
Scott of Yamaha Customer Service (Canada) told me to buy another brand if I wasn't happy. Sure doesn't sound like they're about to step up, or even that they care about customers. I love my Nytro, but I'm not happy that it isn't going to be fixed under warranty. Have a look at my thread called "a straight answer"

I understand that dealing with customer service reps can be frustrating, however the comment suggesting you buy another brand was likely the result of one of two scenarios.

Either the CSR is not doing a good job or they have reached a point where they don't believe there is anything they can do that will satisfy you. In the later case, suggesting another brand may better suit you is a real option they are presenting.

I want to be clear that I am not suggesting which is the case in your circumstance and should also say that I have had cases where I thought that customer service reps were in the wrong profession too.

Good luck with getting the best resolution you can to your situation, and I hope you wish me luck because I now have to see my dealer about the ball joints.

 

[ruffryder]

So are there any other options to this problem? Since they are backordered do we just sit here and twiddle our thumbs?

 

[ruffryder]

So I did some checking, seems like the only option to get away from the stock lower ball joint is fabcraft or timbersled. 450 vs. 850.. hmmmm.

What good is a warranty when there are no parts in stock?