Viper lower chain case bearing shot?

NY_SXR700

NY_SXR700

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Joined
Jun 21, 2003
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292
Age
58
Location
Rochester, NY
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www.sohonetworkx.com
Posting for a friend. He has an 03' or 04' Viper ER and over the weekend he noticed a nasty noise in his chain case. After he got the sled home and removed his chain case cover and gears he found the problem. The large lower bearing behind the large gear was shreded. I have never seen this bearing go on all the sleds I wrench on and all the Yamies in our group. The clutch side drive shaft bearing, yes, all the time but not this one. I want to know if anyone has seen this one go on the Viper or if we need to check for a bent drive axle... something that caused it to go? TIA Doug
 

See it

I too wrench a LOT of yammie's in our group. Not all that common but I have seen it twice. Throw in a new one and run it!

Matt
 
So, you found nothing in the drive line that caused the bearing to fail and nothing in the chaincase that was the issue. If so, we will replace and hope for the best. It's the first one of these I have heard/seen go south. I just wanted to know if they did go as I would have wanted to find the root cause before going on our trip next week. Tks Doug
 
Route of the problem

Doug...the route of the problem was probably from going around and around a gazillion times!!! LOL Sorry, couldn't resist!

Madmatt
 
DOUG, WHENS LAST TIME HE REBLENISH HIS CHAINCASE LUBE. ONLY THING TO DO IS CHECK THAT AXLE WHEN YA GET IT APART. PROBLEY TO MANY MOGELS. 3:16 (yammie tony)
 
Probably just one of those things,like said above check the shaft out inspect everything then put her back together,very rare on a yammie, i've yet to have to replace any bearing on a yamaha sled in my years of riding..
 
I have the dial indicator to check runout on the axel. I was planning on doing that for him no matter what the replys I got here said. He said he put in Yamaha chain case lube after a full drain of the old stuff. The problem is, he got it from a friend and the container was opened. After I asked him what type of lube he used... He paused and asked me why I would ask him that. Which is when he told me about the open container of lube. I will inspect and smell the case as you can always tell case lube from the smell. I am sure it failed from going around and around millions of times (that's funny). Thanks for the replies. Doug
 
I was out riding on Sunday. Noticed a squeal in the chain case. Then it changed to a grinding. Parked the sled on the side of the trail. POS made me walk! Anyway, had to trailer it out. Got lost on the roads and ended up driving down an unmaintained seasonal road that was also used as snowmobile trail. Not a pleasant day. Ended up on a dead end road and got stuck trying to find a spot to turn around. I got the bottom bearing out today. It is missing a few balls and the rest of it is hatin life. Not sure what made it go. I had my track adjusted as loose as it would go.
 
Jeep therapy

It's probably from the 1 1/4 track thats too big on the 9 tooth drivers constantly beating on the front heat exchanger protectors. Bounced the balls right out of the little sucker!!

Sorry Jeep....I just could'nt resist after out dialogue about how big a track you could fit!!! LOL!!!

Madmatt
 
Madmatt said:
It's probably from the 1 1/4 track thats too big on the 9 tooth drivers constantly beating on the front heat exchanger protectors. Bounced the balls right out of the little sucker!!

Sorry Jeep....I just could'nt resist after out dialogue about how big a track you could fit!!! LOL!!!

Madmatt
Click to expand...

Do you really think that was what took it out? Like I mentioned in the other post, the notched track doesn't sit any closer to the protectors than the stock one did. The protectors don't look like they are constantly being rubbed on. The track also shows no indication that it is rubbing. I would think there would be some indication if it was constantly rubbing? I would also think I would hear it if it was rubbing?

As I also mentioned, the track adjusters are adjusted as loose as they will go without the nuts coming off. I think the track is adjusted very close to specs. Without pulling down on the track at all it has about 3/4" droop from the slide.

I fail to see the humor :)
 
Lol!

If the track is not hitting the front protectors then it has no bearing on your failed bearing. Hey, that's funny too! Put a new bearing in ther and RUN IT!

Madmatt
 
doug, when i changed my track at about 4000miles i had to change mine. it wasnt shot but it wasnt extremely smooth like it should be. was the seal gone on the outside? when i change my oil now i pull the cover and wipe it out really good because of the dirt and crap i found in there that you dont get when you just drain it.
 
When I replaced the track I only replaced the speedo side bearing. Never entered my mind to spin the lower bearing to see how it felt. Sled has 5000 miles on it now, 4500 at track change. The speedo gear looked fine when I replaced it. The lower seal still looks OK. There is no evidence of oil on the drive shaft. There was a lot of metal shavings in the chain case. I have a new bearing, and new seal. I plan to clean it all out with brake clean and shop air.

I guess the ironic part is I had no concerns about the track and extensions install. Since I have had this problem, the jack shaft bolts taking out my secondary and the coolant leak. What I was concerned about, the pipes, jetting and overheating, have been no problem at all. Probably shouldn't have posted that, now I will squeak a piston... OH, and the reverse pivot bolt came loose. The blue locktite is still on the threads but it was backed out about a 1/8".
 
daman said:
Probably just one of those things,like said above check the shaft out inspect everything then put her back together,very rare on a yammie, i've yet to have to replace any bearing on a yamaha sled in my years of riding..
Click to expand...

what?

do you actually check them? my bearings go out frequently... skid bearings the worst.. then on PTO side, the driveshaft bearing twice as frequently as jackshaft... and then chain case bearings seldom but yes, they run rough after a while too...

I just don't wait until it takes out my shaft, tunnel and or case...

you must be running ceramic bearings!...
 
Last edited:
TJ500 said:
what?

do you actually check them? my bearings go out frequently... skid bearings the worst.. then on PTO side, the driveshaft bearing twice as frequently as jackshaft... and then chain case bearings seldom but yes, they run rough after a while too...

I just don't wait until it takes out my shaft, tunnel and or case...

you must be running ceramic bearings!...
Click to expand...
Well yes i check them.....running a fleet of sleds you think i wouldn't!!!,
and no, i haven't yet to replace any,they get a shot of grease with the
needle greaser every 3-4 seasons.......
 
After I looked at his bearing, I stand corrected (and you guys are correct). Every time you crack the case you see the bearing race on the chain case cover (which is why I thought it was race out). This is what stuck in my head. The bearing on the lower shaft is installed rubber side in. Thanks for the info, it cleared my mind up on this subject. The viper is fixed and running well. We are headed to Old Forge this Thursday morning for 4 days. Hope to see a bunch of you on Big Moose Sat. the 9th for the speed runs. Doug
 
My lower bearing blew apart a couple years ago after i had a hard landing , jumping over a driveway. Just replaced it and did the others, just to make sure.
 
daman said:
Well yes i check them.....running a fleet of sleds you think i wouldn't!!!,
and no, i haven't yet to replace any,they get a shot of grease with the
needle greaser every 3-4 seasons.......
Click to expand...

WELL, I don't run a fleet of sleds, but the ones I do run require bearings!... Frequently!...

Maybe the slush on the lakes we ride on has something to do with it, but, bearings are a big wear item ....
 
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