Hey Ezra........

[M4me]

It seems your somewhat of an expert on Diamond drives so I thought I'd ask you a couple questions.
Our last day out in the Snowies I noticed a "thunkin" noise coming from the drivetrain on my '05 M7. Im pretty sure its a bearing either in the DD or on the brake caliper side. I plan on replacing all the bearings. My question is: as long as I'm in the DD to do the bearings, should I update to the new BDX gears? How bad of a job is this to do? Should I buy the seal/bearing tools that BDX sells? You want to do it for me? (just kidding)
I am thinking that as long as I have it apart, I might as well get everything done.
Thanks in advance.
C

 

[ezra]

well depending on what it looks like when u open. but at this point u more than likely have all summer.
for the 05 the drive gears are fine the 5 pinion planetary is ok if u have some hard mi or over 1500 I would replace the 5 pinion just to be safe if your old one is good just put it in your take along tool box for a day u or a bud needs it.
I would do the bearing kit think retail under 70 I did my first o ring kits with out the tool kit then I was going to help a bud do his and he bought the kit and gave it to me.it can be done.
the caliper bearings are a bitch actually 2 of them with a ring between them one of those things that if a dealer is willing to to do the work for 50 or 60 bucks if U bring in the calliper do it frustration level can run high not technical just a PITA.
the 04 05 06 are the best ones prob no issues unless the planitary gernaded and then u would not be moving.usuely the planitarys in those just disinagrate the bearings and brass shimms .
any ? just pm me I will shoot u my number

 

[M4me]

any ? just pm me I will shoot u my number

I'll get ahold of you most likely this summer. No hurry on fixing right away as no more trips planned.
Thanks for your help! BTW,,,it has 4600 mi on it lol. Yea, I'm getting my money's worth.

 

[polarismike]

Ezra, what would be the capacity of the 2012 TZ1 with push button reverse? Also, do you recommend Cat oil for the DD or is there a better oil to use? I have read about the flush and then the fill of the DD. Any tricks or is it pretty straight forward? Thanks.

 

[ezra]

I have not opend any drive newer than a 10 so dont know.
I am not a fan of the flush and fill no matter how many angels you twist and turn that drive you are not going to get all the flush/oil out.
I have always used the DD oil.
some guys on HCS use other things but I have never tried and that is funny because I have used syn ATF in my chain cases for 20yrs

 

[JimAndros]

Early DD without any reverse (like the ZR900) were 4 ounces but later were recommended to use 3 ounces. Same with the Firecats, Mountain & Crossfires. Service these with the 3 ounce bottles that Cat markets. The original lube called out for in the owners manual supercedes to the 3 ounce bottle.

The 07 thru 12 units with reverse take 12 ounces. Service with the 12 ounce bottle Cat markets.

The last units using engine Reverse called ACER (Arctic Cat engine reverse) take 15 ounces and again, Cat markets a 15 ounce bottle. Apparently, the deleted reverse mechanism displaced 3 ounces of fluid and so the additional 3 ounces is required to bring it to the same full level.

All should be drained, flushed & refilled yearly & I recommend doing it in the spring to eliminate any possible moisture. As for never getting it all out, I thought about that too. I just leave it sit for about 1/2 hour prior to refill. Any I always replace the o-rings and/or crush gasket used on the early models.

Jim

 

[ezra]

yeah the 05 06 is 1/3 cup so you can buy the big bottel from BDX and get 5 refills for 19 bucks that is 4 bucks a shot.
the wife looked for her 1/3 cup for a while she never did find it lol.
the other thing she complains about is when I wash heads and jugs in the dishwasher.

 

[mjkaliszak]

It just makes the house smell funny ... for a little while.

 

[anonomoose]

EZ...diswasher...heads and jugs?? Grounds for divorce...and I would represent her for FREE! Better hope SHE doesn't read this.....

 

[ezra]

no she has seen them in there. I will usually wash them up first but the dishwasher just makes them nice and shiny.on guys who dont take care of there stuff and have dirty grimy under hood crap I wont work on them until they stop at the car wash and clean them off. and they never see a dishwasher just my own sleds and a few buds drag sleds that are cleaner than factory

 

[JimAndros]

How do these people let their stuff get so filthy & broken down? Some of the boats I work on are beyond belief too. I'm almost afraid to climb on board while they are on the trailer.

 

[ezra]

I dont get it my self.I like to take pride in my toys who wants to open a hood and see a dirty oily dump I spend hours cleaning/shining my sleds but I find it relaxing.and if something dose break I dont need rubber gloves to fix dont have to rune a good coat wrenching in a parking lot clean and tidy.
but I guess I have some ocd issues, a wee bit high strung ok more than a wee bit with a **** or get off the pot attitude

 

[polarismike]

Thanks for the info, appreciate it! If you use the flush fluid, what is the proper way to flush? It says in my manual to run the sled and spin the track several times, then drain the flush fluid. It looks like you have to pull the secondary to access plugs, so basically you are removing and installing the secondary twice to do this properly? Once to drain the oil, then once to drain the flush fluid. Is this correct?

 

[ezra]

yeah I guess. thing is you can take it out in less than 10 min.4 min to split the case. 2 min to take apart can of break cleaner to spray out.8min to reasembel.10 min to reinstall.pice of mind pricelss 100mi from the truck and 10mi from any trail.the 05 is basic and if never been opend it is way overdue.
if you get buy
lk minnetonka this summer I will do it for you in less than 45min

but hay why do it right the first time when you can do it latter at 80x the cost