How to Change Yamaha Grizzly 700 Diff Oil
You should change the front differential and the final drive fluids in a Yamaha Grizzly ATV every 3,200 miles or once a year. A rule of thumb is to change these fluids every time you do your regular your oil changes so that it's easy to keep track.
Changing the drive gear fluids on your Grizzly can save you a ton of drivetrain woes. Watch the video above and follow the steps below to change the differential oil in a Grizzly 700 Yamaha ATV.
See the parts diagrams:
Tools and Parts - Yamaha Grizzly 700 Differential Oil Change
- Torque wrench
- 3/8th ratchet
- Extensions
- Swivel for ratchet and sockets
- 21mm socket
- 5mm, 6mm Allen
- Kawasaki gear oil
- Fill plug gasket
- Drain plug gasket
Yamaha Grizzly Front Diff Fluid Change
Step 1. Locate the 21mm fill nut near the top of the front differential. It's #23 in our Yamaha Grizzly YFM700 front differential diagram. Remove it using a ratchet (and a swivel if necessary). Be careful not to lose the fill plug gasket.
Step 2. Get a drain pan underneath the ATV and look for the cutout that's located slightly off-center. The plug is #17 on our YFM700 front diff diagram. Remove it using a 5mm Allen to drain the fluid out of the front differential. This plug also has a gasket, so be careful not to lose it.
NOTE: Look at the fluid's color and consistency as it's draining. If it's anything other than a brown color, you may have a leak. Milky looking transmission fluid indicates water intrusion, and is a symptom of a bad seal in the transmission.
Step 3. Replace the drain plug and its gasket once the fluid has drained out. Get it snug, then use a torque wrench to tighten it to 7 foot-pounds.
Step 4. Use a hand pump to refill it with gear oil. Run the tube from the hand pump straight into the fill opening.
NOTE: We used 80-weight GL4 hypoid oil from Kawasaki. It doesn't hold much, maybe a quarter of a quart, so just keep filling until it starts to run out.
Step 5. Replace the fill bolt once it's overflowing. Use a 21mm socket and a torque wrench to tighten it to 17 foot-pounds.
Yamaha Grizzly Final Drive Fluid Change
Step 1. Remove the fill plug. It's a 21mm bolt located at the rear of the housing, and it's #26 in our Yamaha Grizzly drive shaft diagram. This bolt will have a fill plug gasket, just like up front. Don't lose it.
Step 2. Look for an opening in the skid plate underneath the Grizzly, which allows you to access the drain bolt. The bolt is #25 on our Yamaha Grizzly drive shaft diagram. Get a drain pan underneath it and remove it with a 6mm Allen. This bolt also has a gasket.
NOTE: Once again, the presence of a milky fluid indicates water intrusion.
Step 3. Replace the drain bolt and gasket once it's drained, then torque it to 7 foot-pounds.
Step 4. Remove the check bolt on the final drive housing to help you fill to the correct level. It's located on the right side of the housing.
Step 5. Use the hand pump at the fill bolt/plug opening to pump in gear oil. You'll know that you've gotten the level correct when you start to see overflow from the check bolt opening.
Step 6. Replace the check bolt and torque it to 7 foot-pounds, then replace the fill plug, torque it to 17 foot-pounds and you're done.
As mentioned, the Grizzly's gear drive service should be done with every oil change. Watch the video below to see how to do an oil change for a Yamaha Grizzly YFM700.
