Bought my 2011 M8 in the middle of December. At that time, I had it serviced at my local dealer. They said I should change the DD fluid once a season. Well, I've only ridden it twice for a total of 100 miles this season. Should I have the fluid changed again? And if so, should I do it at the end of the season or wait till the beginning of next season? Thanks in advance!
Should I changed DD fluid?
- Thread starter BordnBill
- Start date
That oils barly even broken in 
I put around a 750mi on mine this season and I know the previous owner put a few more on other then that and im just changing it this summer. Once a season is good, but not with only 100miles!
I put around a 750mi on mine this season and I know the previous owner put a few more on other then that and im just changing it this summer. Once a season is good, but not with only 100miles!NO!!
Some may say different but having just purchased an M1000 I asked a friend of mine who knows cats upside down and backwards. His advice is to pull the DD and completely open it up and remove everything. There are places for metal shavings to hide in that over time with build up, can cause the failure of the planetary gears and hub. If you have ever seen one apart it doesn't take much neglect to have this failure.. He said to clean all the parts well looking into every place the oil goes. He must know something about it because he has a 2010 M8 with something like 4000 mi. on it with no failure.. This guy will go on a road trip for 6 weeks and come back with a couple thou on the sled..
Some may say different but having just purchased an M1000 I asked a friend of mine who knows cats upside down and backwards. His advice is to pull the DD and completely open it up and remove everything. There are places for metal shavings to hide in that over time with build up, can cause the failure of the planetary gears and hub. If you have ever seen one apart it doesn't take much neglect to have this failure.. He said to clean all the parts well looking into every place the oil goes. He must know something about it because he has a 2010 M8 with something like 4000 mi. on it with no failure.. This guy will go on a road trip for 6 weeks and come back with a couple thou on the sled..
You should always change at least once a season regardless of the miles put on. Even if only 100 miles and the oil is in good shape yet, there will be condensation in there from sitting over the summer. So yes, change it in the fall when taking out of summer storage and prepping the sled for the season.
Interesting theory on when to change DD oil, in the fall, because of condensation over summer. Never thought about that.
I suppose part of the equation is to also consider if it is stored outside vs garage and unheated garage vs heated/climate controlled.
I suppose part of the equation is to also consider if it is stored outside vs garage and unheated garage vs heated/climate controlled.
Didn't have much time on the weekends and during the week due to work and kids activities in the winter. Planned on riding this spring a little, but both my boys are doing spring sports, so that takes up my whole week and Saturday, leaving me with Sunday to get things done around the house and our property.
As far as changing oil, I think you have to tip it on it's side to get the fluid to drain out. I think I read that in the manual somewhere. Normally I do stuff like this, but with my busy schedule, I would just rather pay my local Cat shop to do it.
That oils barly even broken in
I bought the sled with 321 miles and I believe it sits right now with 415.
DD
You should probably replace the 6203 bearing before next winter!
You should probably replace the 6203 bearing before next winter!
I've heard of people claiming "condensation" build up inside the diamond drive over the summer but I am just not buying into it. I guess the guy who leaves his sled uncovered, sitting outside in the rain/snow/sun without giving a @#$% about his sled, then maybe you would have a problem. Makes a hell of a lot more sense to me, to change the oil at the end of the season for a couple of reasons. 1. You are going to find out if you have a problem with your DD, i.e. bearings, gears, cracks at the end of your season, which gives you all year long to fix it instead of scrambling around the day before your ride trying to fix it. 2. This is a personal preference, but I like to know my sled is 100% when I put it away, fuel stabilizer, DD oil, cooling system is full, Hyfax's are either replaced or in good shape, and in perfect running condition. If my DD sat all summer with dirty oil in it, I just wouldn't feel right 
Had that done right after I bought the sled. I bought the sled, and drove it directly to the local Cat dealer for the bearing update, DD service, re-clutched for my elevation and a once over to make sure everything looked good.
DD
sounds like your dealer may be better than most,also keep an eye on the primary clutch spider.
sounds like your dealer may be better than most,also keep an eye on the primary clutch spider.
Any idea what the dealer did for the bearing update, like a different shim and the 6203, or did they go with the 5203 or 4203?
It's not a complicated job, and certainly inexpensive, so doing it each season regardless of miles just seems to make sense for me. Condensation could certainly happen, is there enough of it to be an issue? That I don't know, I just change the fluid as normal preventative maintenance.
-Stack
-Stack
They are pretty decent. Better now than 5 years ago. I had a cat for many years then switched over to Yamaha in 2010. Went back to Cat this season. I knew when looking for a 2011 M, that I needed to do the bearing update if it wasn't done. I spent quite a while researching for my next sled when deciding on the M.
Went with the 4203. From what I understand, Cat has had good responses with this bearing. Both my local dealer and a few other dealers said the 4203 was the way to go.
I may just have the DD fluid changed before I store it for summer.
L
leadfoot33
Well-known member
i would change it next fall, for the time it takes and the cost, gives me a peace of mind to take it out before the season starts and give it a once over
Assuming your dealer did your DD bearing swap correctly, including checking for a too-long track drive shaft, and fixing as needed, then changing your DD oil after 100 miles is not needed IMHO, nor is it necessary to open up your DD like KMMAC suggests.
With a low-mileage DD that has NOT been checked (not yours), it all depends on the axial loading on your 6203 bearing. I agree with KMMAC, check them properly, before you trash your DD. If in doubt, open up your DD, check for cover "push", and inspect the 6203 bearing. Changing oil is not enough to tell the full story. However, a magnetic drain plug helps.
Our 2009 M8 and 2011 HCR are both running good. After 6203 bearing failures in both, thankfully prior to serious DD damage. Our DD axial thrust issues were resolved, as discussed on previous threads. Just changed DD oil in our HCR and no metal flakes on the magnetic plug! Great news!
Good luck!
With a low-mileage DD that has NOT been checked (not yours), it all depends on the axial loading on your 6203 bearing. I agree with KMMAC, check them properly, before you trash your DD. If in doubt, open up your DD, check for cover "push", and inspect the 6203 bearing. Changing oil is not enough to tell the full story. However, a magnetic drain plug helps.
Our 2009 M8 and 2011 HCR are both running good. After 6203 bearing failures in both, thankfully prior to serious DD damage. Our DD axial thrust issues were resolved, as discussed on previous threads. Just changed DD oil in our HCR and no metal flakes on the magnetic plug! Great news!
Good luck!
Last edited:
To drain the DD oil with DD still on sled, AND, not make a mess, drill a hole in the bottom of belly pan, then tip sled on right side. Remove plug. Use a short section of vinyl tube which will press fit into drain plug hole, then route the hose out the belly pan, tip sled back onto ski's with your catch pan underneath.
R
ry
New member
although you may be paying the dealership to do this i would probably still change it anyways. i changed mine midway though last season in my crossfire and then neglected to do it this fall before i went out to ride. with it in the back of my mind that i should change it i continued to ride anyways...well as luck would have it i hashed the whole diamond drive just short of buying a complete new case...was awful expensive and a lesson learned i guess. an hour of my time and a little bit of oil would've let me see that i had a bearing that was in less than ok shape and i could've fixed it for ALOT less money...
Just an update...dealer said no service needed if my sled only has 100 miles since last change. Said if I decided to do it, it would be 2.5 hours of labor plus fluid.
Similar threads
