quad servicing advice?

[jigs]

I am about to do the initial service on my new quad and am looking for advice.

Do I need to worry about a torque wrench to attach the drain plug and oil filter cover?

what do you use to elevate the quad so you can get under it to drain the oil?

any other tips are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by jigs

I am about to do the initial service on my new quad and am looking for advice.

Do I need to worry about a torque wrench to attach the drain plug and oil filter cover?

what do you use to elevate the quad so you can get under it to drain the oil?

any other tips are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

What kind of quad, a polaris has a dry sump and there's special things you need to do to prime the pump, bad news if you dont. Real bad news

[amosfella]

How much experience do you have pulling wrenches?? If not much, I'd use a torque wrench. The cases are likely aluminum, and it's very easy to strip the threads, or if the plug is built to fail, have a fun job to take it out...

I tilted the quad a bit with a floor jack. Not necessary, but speeds the process up.

[gtr]

Originally Posted by Xbolt7mm

What kind of quad, a polaris has a dry sump and there's special things you need to do to prime the pump, bad news if you dont. Real bad news

If you own a polaris, the news can't get any worse.

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by jigs

I am about to do the initial service on my new quad and am looking for advice.

Do I need to worry about a torque wrench to attach the drain plug and oil filter cover?

what do you use to elevate the quad so you can get under it to drain the oil?

any other tips are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Quads are very easy to work on. I fix all of mine and many of my friends. They do however have their quirks and it is VERY important to know what those are. Honda for example is very easy to put the new oil filter in backwards. A lot of bullet proof Hondas have been destroyed by this simple mistake. The Polaris/dry sump quirk is pointed out above.

If you haven't worked on them GET THE SHOP MANUAL and read it carefully for each operation you want to do. Most are available free on line but even if you have to pay $50 for one it is better than frying a motor or wrecking a case.

As far as elevating the quad, most don't need to be but a simple set of ramps made from 2x6 work if you do need to raise it to get under.

In most cases, speciality tools are not near as important as the speciality knowledge is.

[Bearbreath]

Use a torque wrench. The torque required is low and the threads are easily stripped.

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by gtr

If you own a polaris, the news can't get any worse.

Had no trouble with either of mine, but thats a different thread

[Puma]

I use my loading ramps to give more room under the quad. Either put them between two pick up beds or just prop one end up and partially drive up on the trailer or truck bed.

[jigs]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will do my own service on my Honda Rancher (420cc) and buy the proper tools.

[lilsundance]

Jigs, as pointed out above be careful as the oil filter can be installed backwards. Genuine Honda filters state right on them " this side out" or something like that so you don't make that mistake. And in my cousins case he made about 100 km before heard the head really start to hammer badly.