More than the Gator can handle - Exploding CV Joints

[Jaykrebs]

:BG:Just bought a 2012 825i May 31, 2012. With only 8 hours on the machine three CV joints have failed, one left, two right:cuss:. From the day Deere delivered my Gator the front end has been clicking and popping. Less than .5 hours of use since the CV Joint was replaced and the front end is clicking an popping again but I can't tell where it's coming from, thinking the front diff. Deere was able to reproduce the problem and broke a CV Joint at the repair shop. Basically if you back up a steep grade in 4WD with the wheel turned the outside CV Joint will explode. Since then I have avoided any sort of turning in reverse in 4WD, which makes life very difficult. But even avoiding that scenario the front end pops and clicks in both 2WD and 4WD. Sometimes on straightaway's sometimes if you hit a rut. All three of the CV joints have been sent to the factory for evaluation. I'm waiting to hear from deere. I've asked Deere to open the front diff but the oil drains clean and works fine on the lift so the factory won't approve the labor:hdscrh:. Has anyone had similar problems?

[JimmyMac]

Is there a suspension lift on it? What size tires do you have?

[K-DOG]

Would like to hear what JD and the dealer came up with.

[825joe]

:Cnfsd: wow....I have not heard or seen any issues with the 825i yet. Maybe you got a lemon? It happens even to the best of machines. I hope you get it squared away.

[Jaykrebs]

Completely stock.

[pcbunn]

Funny how some folks have problems with their machines. My 825 has almost a hundred hours on it and I have had absolutely no problems of any kind with it. I don't abuse it in any way but still no issues.

[JimmyMac]

I'm not a CV specialist by any means but I have replaced several, from fullsize trucks, to inboard/outboards to my own 620. Every one I replaced were damaged from either no grease, dirt/mud or excessive angles and load. The clicking and poping you are hearing sounds to me like the CV joints.

I had a bad one for months and it only made noise in four wheel drive, but after a while it was audible even in two. Thats when I replaced it. It failed from excessive angle and load. driving down a sand dune in four wheel drive and bottomed out the unit letting the front suspension hang while at full throttle. I knew it when it happened. Your situation sounds similar. Mine is lifted and yours is not, i understand but I think you can have a similar binding problem if the steering is incorrectly adjusted, if the toe is in excessivly, the outside wheel will get into a bind quickly. Then complicate it with 4X4 and going up hill backwards just adds to the load I was referring to.

There is also the unlikely chance of something loose in the control arm area, like a broken bolt, bad bushing or even a broken weld. The balljoint may be loose or broken allowing the wheel to cock to the side too... anything that makes that wheel position itself to far as to let the CV bind should be looked at. I doubt the problem is the joint itself, but the units steering, steering adjustments or suspension. Hell, the rack and pinion may be damaged and allowing the wheels to turn to sharp.

It def something to look into. I love my unit. love love love. I hate that you are having trouble. At least this may be some different routes you can suggest to the technician at Deere. After all, it's just a machine with a problem. Find the cause of the problem, and you'll find the solution.

Please excuse my spelling, the wifey want me off the comp.

[JimmyMac]

....oh one more thing, My front diff has started making noise too...it has been for a little while and it is on the list to fix, however, it is a grinding noise. Round and round noise with sand in it. Not popping. Not clicking. Popping and clicking is CV. Hope that makes you feel a little better.

JMac

[puggsleys gator]

I just logged back on. The last message I left was way back in December. I see that nothing has changed with reguard to drive train noise and grinding. I have had my 825 in the shop 3 times and finally gave up! I decided that since I purchased the extra 2 year warranty, I would just let it grind itself into a pile of scrap metal ! The sales people don't tell you about the complaints and JD (I guess) hasn't solved the problem. Heck I have tried to get them (my dealer) to keep it, use it, test it so that they could feel the hesitation, jerking you in the seat as it seems to skip a tooth in a gear. I would not buy again, for sure! And I consider myself a J.D. Man!!

[kacuina]

I've asked Deere to open the front diff but the oil drains clean and works fine on the lift so the factory won't approve the labor...

[m38inmaine]

Front left outer cv broke on mine, dealer replaced it under the extended warranty. Right rear outer boot leaked grease and was also replaced, no obvious damage to it just decided to leak grease.

[Jaykrebs]

Thanks for the input everyone. A final update. The result was a full refund from John Deere. They have no explanation or remedy for the failing CV joints. At the time of return the Gator had logged only 10 hours, about 50 miles and five, yes 5 broken CV joints. Three right and two left, one of which the dealer broke on the test drive.


I suggest you test your CV joints before your warranty expires or avoid the following configuration: (perform at your own risk!!) in 4WD(no diff lock), steering to left or right limit(hard over), back up a grade, say 15+ degrees and back no more than the length of the machine. Deere assured me this is a normal configuration but was able to duplicate the CV joint failure at the shop in a controlled environment. What I found interesting was although they broke the brand new CV joint they had just installed, they replaced it(again) buttoned her up and shipped it back to my house.


I'd like to add that the Gator was never beat(in case your wondering). When ya spend that sorta money ya tend to take care of things. I will tell you that the CV joints clicked and popped from day one, which I shrugged off as "normal" operating noises, although in the back of my mind I knew better. I had mentioned the strange noises to Deere before the first joint failed, they were like "ok thanks for the info".


It's a bitter sweet ending to the three stressful months as a Gator owner: Bitter that the Gator didn't live up to the reliability I've come to expect. See I've owned a 2520 for about 4 years(there's "green" in my blood). logged about 100 hours on the 2520 and own just about every attachement made for it(I like my toys:D). Aside from a bad tire valve stem, the 2520 has performed flawlessly. So when it was time for a UTV/SXS the Gator was a not brainer!(so I thought). Sweet that Deere stood behind their name and refunded my money, no questions asked. My hats off to them for that.


Guess I'll start shopping for a new UTV/SXS. I already miss my green machine:(


At date there is no word back from Deere about the CV joints, why they failed or what's being done with it. I'll check in with my sales guy from time to time and see if there are any updates.

[Jaykrebs]

I had asked the mech to check my steering limits, he said they were ok. yes i noticed that if my machine bottomed out in 4WD the front end would make an awful noise(figured CV joint or diff problems), which I had mentioned to the mech.

[Jaykrebs]

I seem to have the worse luck. "If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all"...lol