transmission problem

T

toothy

New member
Hello All </p>


I have an 06 RTV900 with 43.6 hours on it. Most of those hours were the wife driving the grandkids around the neighborhood.</p>
<div>Yesterday it was making a gravely noise in the transmission. Today I decided to do the 50 hr fluid/filter change and found some LARGE metal on the drain magnet.The large piece is about 7/8 of an inch long and looks like a bearing carrier for 2 ball bearings.</div>


Have any of you heard of any similar failures?</p>


It looks pretty grim and quite expensive. </p>


Here is a picture:</p>


</p>


Thanks</p>


Wade</p>


Seward, AK</p>


</p>
 
Welcome to the forum Wade... </p>


Nope, never seen one of them . How did the machine run after youreplaceboth filters and fluid. Did you go back with Kubota filters and Super UDT hydro fluid ? That has me baffled !!! Expecially with that small amount of hours ....</p>


Even with the " object " gone, that sure is much metal shavings on the magnet . </p>


Are you sure she wasn't riding the grandkids in the Baja ? ( Just a kiddin' ya )</p>


Kinda looks like a mangled beer cantop in a way >>>>>>>></p>


~~~~~~ jamie</p>
 
yea looks like you got half the inside yo engine stuck to that magnet. i think i would have taken the magnet with the metal stuck to it to the dealer and asked "whasss upppp wit diss??? dat don't look good for sure i would be worried.</p>
 
I didn't change the fluid or filters. I was in the process of draining the transmission to change the filters and fluid.</p>


I have looked the piece over with a magnifying glass and it <span style="text-decoration: underline;">is</span> a piece of a bearing cage. So I guess that means that the bearings will be running around in there soon or already are.</p>


I don't have total confidence in the dealer. The one whereI bought it is a United Rentals and the only other one in the state wasn't sure what super UDT was, but knew he didn't have any.</p>


I'll probably fish around in there to see what other pieces I can dig out.</p>


</p>


Thanks</p>


Wade</p>


</p>
 
Wade,</p>


Welcome to the forum. Wish it was under better circumstances...</p>


OK, so you're either getting ready to, or have just completed a fluid & filter change in the tranny. What fluid/filters did you use? (Aftermarket does change things and shouldn't be used...).</p>


Where are you located (state is good enough). The Super UDT is preferred for extreme climates, be it hot or cold. If you're in a moderate climate, the UDT should be fine. Actually, if you anticipate another fluid change because of this issue, I'd probably just go with UDT and save the $ on the SUDT until the issue is resolved.</p>


Sorry to hear you have no confidence in your dealer. Our forum host (Messick's) has a great parts department and can get you the OEM filters and fluids you need.</p>


If you've completed your fluid and filter change, how does it sound now?</p>


Now, we're hoping for the best and it is possible that there's some manufacturing debris in your tranny. There's always some as is evident by the shavings you have on the magnet. Let's hope the looped steel (bearing carrier) is also something that got dropped in.</p>


Let us know how it runs after the fluid and filter change. The noise you've been hearing can be due to totally clogged filters. How has the RTV been performing/driving?</p>
 
atleast you got pictures of the plug with the stuff on it.print out a copy of the picture and bring it in with the rtv and tell them to find out where the metal came from.</p>


</p>


[quote user="toothy"]</p>


I didn't change the fluid or filters. I was in the process of draining the transmission to change the filters and fluid.</p>


I have looked the piece over with a magnifying glass and it <span style="text-decoration: underline;">is</span> a piece of a bearing cage. So I guess that means that the bearings will be running around in there soon or already are.</p>


I don't have total confidence in the dealer. The one whereI bought it is a United Rentals and the only other one in the state wasn't sure what super UDT was, but knew he didn't have any.</p>


I'll probably fish around in there to see what other pieces I can dig out.</p>


</p>


Thanks</p>


Wade</p>


</p>
<div style="CLEAR: both"></div>


[/quote]</p>


</p>
 
I really don't think there is any point in finishing the fluid/filter change. That looks like throwing good filters and fluid into a dead or at least terminal transmission. </p>


I was going to use kubota filters and SUDT.</p>


With those noises and pieces of bearing it will have to come apart. I was just hoping that some of you had heard of this problem in the past.</p>


I'm in Seward, Alaska.</p>


Anybody have a good low hour transmission for sale?</p>


</p>


Thanks</p>


Wade</p>


</p>
 
you don't have a warranty?? 43 hours seems pretty brand new to me. how old is it?did i miss something?</p>
 
Not very used and under warranty are 2 different things.</p>


Date of purchase May 31 2006.</p>


How I wish it had died while still under warranty.</p>


</p>


Thanks</p>


Wade</p>
 
It just might be crazy, and feel free to take a shot at me. BUT, personally, I would change the fluid and filters, andas bczoom said,for now, just go with the UDT, but use the Kubota fluid and filters.The noise that you heard, ( wishful thinking here ) , could have been something different. I pray that it was. But also, again, bczoom spoke very wisely, Messick's, our host, has some great folks there, and maybe they can point you in the best direction. They do have a great parts people with much knowledge.</p>


Also, to bad about your dealer situation. See that you are in Alaska >>>>> IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER !!!! Don't give up !!!!</p>


Heck, I would even go as far as getting in touch with Kubota Customer Relations >>>> </p>


I cannot imagine one coming unglued atthe 43 hour mark. Just blows my mind....</p>


~~~~~~~~~ jamie</p>


</p>
 
[quote user="toothy"] I really don't think there is any point in finishing the fluid/filter change. That looks like throwing good filters and fluid into a dead or at least terminal transmission.[/quote]</p>


It depends on whether your noises are due to clogged filters or bad bearings. I'd hate to have you repair/replace the tranny if the debris is not related to your bearings but some human error at the plant and you're just suffering from pre-fluid change blues.</p>


Let me ponder for a day and get back with you.</p>


</p>


</p>
 
<div><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">


It kind of blows my mind also.</p>


I bought it because it was reputed to be bullet proof. I really don't mind it's little quirks, I'm getting used to them. </p>


I am absolutely positive it is a piece of bearing retainer. That bearing has more retainer thanwhatI've found, and then there are the balls.</p>


Thanks for your reply's, it's now time to drown my sorrows!!!</p>


</p>


Good night and thanks</p>


Wade</p>
</span></div>
 
Suggestion !</p>


Don't throw away your fluid. Might want to get it sent toan analysis company . There are many threw the states !!!! Heck, it might come down to the something else to help in a defense as you talk to the company. I just trying to cover all avenues !!!</p>


Get a good night sleep and think 'bout it Monday !!!!</p>


Always here,</p>


~~~~~~~~ jamie ( Two Guns )</p>
<div><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
 
I am sorry to hear of your bad news. If it can be resolved, our forum members are A+ in the help department. Just curious, what color was the oil when you drained it, and do you think it could have been low or have overheated? Mine is clear to amber and I usually run over the recommended change interval. My magnet hardly had enough metal dust to wipe with a paper towel, and then it is extremely fine { sort of like dust.} In a last grasp to find out what happened, you might wish to inspect the filters after replacement . In our Cat 252B manual they actually suggest doing this often to keep a check on things . Just hacksaw it .. First, I would try Kubota Customer service. You might just get someone that cares aboutfolks and get a little help figuring out the best way to go. I have heard about things being dropped on assembly lines. Regardless, I would bet that the filters are clogged. Oh yea, check to see that the right filters were used {orange on back ,yellow on the side} I should also mention this, I had my rear ujoints coming fron the tires go out at 1800 hrs. and had to have them teplaced. This involved jacking the rtv up removing rear bumper and tire/hubs amd then the bolts where it all goes in the transmission on each side.There are bearings in this area too and are held in place with snap rings. ... This is on page 80 of the parts manual. This is why I got the manual... The guy that fixed this for me did all of this and added no trans fluid!! I just checked behind him and caught it .. It was short a whole gallon too.Always check behind everyone!! Even me.Good Luck , Bordercollie </p>
 
I agree with everything member bordercollie has stated !!!! </p>


Measure the fluid also....Keep the " stuff " that was on the magnet !!!! </p>


You know, this is a shot in the dark. But could of been some threading shavings off one of the filters, and got in the system when installed at the plant. But like bordercollie, bet the filters are clogged up really good. And the material on my magnet waslike that, very fine like dust, and not much at all !!!!</p>


I'll check inMonday !!!! </p>
 
how about filling it up with the fluids and funning it at an idol for a hour or two but don't drive it just let it idol. then drain the oil check it to see if you have any metal shavings. if the oil is clean and the plug magnet is clean then put the oil back in and then drive it for a hour or for as long ans you can. it's wouldn't be a bad idea to lift the rear end and just let the tires slowly turn just off the ground. after running it like that for a while then check the oil again to see if you got any shavings. i don't know how the trans works but if it pumps oil even when it's in neutral then the bearing won't be turning or loosing meatl during this time so the oil should me almost meta shaving free but if you turn the tires in gear then the bearing turns and you should get more shavings. or you could get clean oil again come out and it be a dirty build jab at the factory and you got enging inyards in your tranny cause it wasn't cleaned out before final assembly.</p>
 
Toothy:</p>


Welcome to the Forum:Too bad it's not under more favorable conditions on your part. However, guess we have to live with the hand we are dealt.Stick with us... happier days are yet to come.</p>


The other Forum members are trying to narrow down the cause of your machines transmission problem. With so few hours on your RTV900 it seems to be out of the norm.In the interest of getting you up and running again and at the lowest cost, several solutions were suggested. All the suggestions have merit. Finding a reputable Kubota dealer you are comfortable with might be a good place to start. Messicks, the host of this site would be my recommendation. Remember, anydealers reputaion is usually well-earned. Now, was your RTV 900 transmission built on a Monday morning by a bleary-eyed and hung-over and soon-to-be-fired assembly worker? Perhaps. Was yourmachine run whilelow on fluids? AKA ...whats that red light on for? or whats that funny hot burning smell? Or, I heard a funny noise the last dozen times I've used it? (Airplane pilots do a methodical walk around using a checklist before putting their bird into flight because of the possible unfortunate consequences of not doing it.) </p>


Enough said about that. Draining and running new oil/filters might be expensive........but.... just maybe, you had some extra debris in the tranny that is just now getting flushed. Your call there... and maybe talking to a good RTV technical person/mechanic might help you determine if that is the proper thing to do. Keep us updated and good luck.</p>


Keifer. a RTV wannabe</p>
 
<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for your reply's</span></p>


</p>


<span style="font-size: small;">All fluids were in the proper fill range and have been in the proper range from day one.</span></p>


<span style="font-size: small;">I always check fluids from new. I one time got a new Honda outboard with exactly double the proper amount of oil in the crankcase.</span></p>


<span style="font-size: small;">The oil as stated was in the proper fill range before, I drained it and found the piece of bearing retainer.</span></p>


<span style="font-size: small;">Oil color when drained in the bucket seems somewhat darker than I would have expected.</span></p>


<span style="font-size: small;">When I heard the noise I immediately parked it, checked the fluid level and felt the transmission with my hand for temp while it was very warm to the touch, it was not to hot to hold my hand on.</span></p>


<span style="font-size: small;">I will surely cut the filter, but the piece on the magnet would have been too large to enter the filter anyway.</span></p>


<span style="font-size: small;">I'm going to go fishing in the bucket and bottom of the transmission for more pieces of the bearing.</span></p>


<span style="font-size: small;">The large piece in the picture is actually 2 pieces of metal riveted together one on each side of the balls.</span></p>


<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for your help and I will be using Messicks. I'd have to pay shipping even if I were dealing with the locals, it just the way things are up here.</span></p>


<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks</span></p>


<span style="font-size: small;">Wade</span></p>
 
Toothy,</p>


Although you're out of warrantee, I'd make sure Kubota (corporate) is aware of this issue. They're a great company and may be able to work with you even though you're out of the warrantee period. With that low of hours, they may relate it to something in quality out of the factory.</p>


Brian</p>
 
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