Front driveshaft snapped

13145 Views 48 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Ncage, Mar 30, 2022

Cruiser69

Discussion Starter · Jul 29, 2020

Hello...new to forum from MT, about 500 miles on the '20 KRX. Curious if anyone has snapped their front driveshaft, I couldn't find mention anywhere when I searched? Mine broke off at the front u-joint yoke at the front differential. I had my front diff locked and climbed a fairly steep embankment with 3/4ish throttle so I wouldn't get high centered. When my front tires came into contact with the ground there was a snap and then a rattle under the machine. We pulled the passenger side in-cab inspection panel and sure enough it was sheared off.
Is this a weak point or operator error with the frond diff locked?

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 49 Posts

BobX2

· #2 · Aug 4, 2020

Welcome to the forum.
I would say it was a combination of driver error and a weak point. Most machines would break an axle when a wheel under power leaves the ground, and then hits the ground still under power. Got to get out of the throttle when wheels come off the ground.
With the stout axles Kawasaki uses on the KRX, it appears the axle is stronger than the driveshaft. I have read about a few people who have broken the driveshaft at that same location. Don't know if they all had the front diff. locked when it happened. That's a question I will have to ask when I see reports about the driveshaft breaking again.

Reactions: 1

Ajb9

· #3 · Aug 10, 2020

tough call.. not uncommon when rock crawling or steep clime for a wheel to be in the air.. who knows could have been fatigued from a previous run.. I did spot this same thing happening to another krx but may have been on the Teryx forum.. I would definitely turn it in for warranty.. most likely will cover it but if not a driveline shop is good option!

JPWarrior

· #4 · Sep 25, 2020

Good info! Thanks for the post. What power mode were you using?

Cruiser69

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 25, 2020

JPWarrior said:
Good info! Thanks for the post. What power mode were you using?

I was in Low and diff was locked. Dealer covered under warranty no questions asked. Good traction on landing with a good bit of throttle was the likely cause, as stated above...

Reactions: 1

JPWarrior

· #6 · Sep 29, 2020

Cruiser69 said:
I was in Low and diff was locked. Dealer covered under warranty no questions asked. Good traction on landing with a good bit of throttle was the likely cause, as stated above...

Just watched a video where two different RZR's snapped driveshaft and axles on a nasty rock climb. Both broke in the same spot on the trail after a launch up a ledge.

Jeff

· #7 · Nov 26, 2020

Cruiser69 said:
Hello...new to forum from MT, about 500 miles on the '20 KRX. Curious if anyone has snapped their front driveshaft, I couldn't find mention anywhere when I searched? Mine broke off at the front u-joint yoke at the front differential. I had my front diff locked and climbed a fairly steep embankment with 3/4ish throttle so I wouldn't get high centered. When my front tires came into contact with the ground there was a snap and then a rattle under the machine. We pulled the passenger side in-cab inspection panel and sure enough it was sheared off.
Is this a weak point or operator error with the frond diff locked?

Jeff

· #8 · Nov 26, 2020

A month and a half ago I was in Moab Utah. Went about 400 miles of trails, pretty harsh territory. This past week went to Pennsylvania mines and meadows. Came home from that and was playing around in the yard with the KRX, the diff was not locked, 4WD was on, and the front end of the drive shaft snapped off. It was not user error, had to be a manufacturer problem with the drive shaft. It looked like I had cut the end of the drive shaft off.

Speedyg

· #9 · Dec 4, 2020

I’ve gone mud bogging in full diff lock with mud past the doors and the peddle buried to the floor. No issues. I also load my machine on my trailer with no ramps putting a lot of strain when climbing. Again no issues. I can see however if the wheels leaves off the ground spinning fast and drops back down how that might break something

Nunuvurbiznus

· #10 · Dec 12, 2020

The driveshaft is definitely an issue on the KRX. Poor design. The U joint yokes are not split they just slip over the shaft and have a bolt that sits is a notch on the shaft to keep them from coming off. Over time they start to wobble. Mine had some much play and wobbled so bad it felt like it was coming apart at 50 mph. I could take my hand and push up on the driveshaft just in front of the motor and it would move up and down about half an inch. There needs to be a carrier bearing or the yokes need to be split so they clamp tight on the shafts and wont allow it to wobble.

Cruiser69 said:
I was in Low and diff was locked. Dealer covered under warranty no questions asked. Good traction on landing with a good bit of throttle was the likely cause, as stated above...

Are the new parts same as the old or is there a modification to prevent it from happening again?

Rocky Heap

· #11 · Dec 12, 2020

was the OP running larger dia tires or stock Carnivores?

Nunuvurbiznus

· #12 · Dec 12, 2020

Sock tires for 600 miles and 32" GBC Mongrels for the last 500 miles.

Nunuvurbiznus

· #13 · Dec 13, 2020

Apparently someone realized there is a flaw!!

bruteperformance.com

BRUTE PERFORMANCE KRX 1000 DRIVESHAFT

KRX 1000 DRIVESHAFTBuilt to withstand anything you can throw at it Massive stub shaft and splines compared to oem Sealed and greasable slip yoke to prevent premature wear on the splines Oversized driveshaft side yokes Oversized U-joints that are greasable - same joint front and rear...

bruteperformance.com

turnercycles.com

Kawasaki KRX 1000 Heavy Duty Driveshaft

We now offer an Upgraded Driveshaft Replacement for the 2020 & Up Kawasaki KRX 1000. These feature larger diameter machined micro-stubs on each end, and a stronger .120 DOM center section. OEM Yokes & U-Joints would be installed off the OEM driveshaft onto our HD Replacement

turnercycles.com

turnercycles.com

Reactions: 2

Outrun

· #14 · Dec 16, 2020

I know 2 local guys who snapped theirs and not going too hard. Makes me nervous about mine. That Brute driveshaft looks great. Local 4x4 shop built entirely new ones for the guys who broke theirs here. They are stout.

Cruiser69

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 16, 2021

Snapped my second driveshaft yesterday. I popped over a long sweeping jump and landed with some throttle, evidently more than I should have, but what I thought was the right amount for the speed I was traveling. Will most likely fork out some extra cash and go with an aftermarket shaft as stated above. Stock tire size with 1200 miles.

307Mike

· #16 · May 18, 2021

www.krxforum.com

Make Your Drive Line Bullet Proof 4WD

Heavy duty 300M billet prop shaft and coupler. This thing is strong . This part is designed to hold up while driving in supper harsh 4wd conditions through desert woops to rocks sections and sand. Larger upgraded shielded ball bearing 300M billet bearing holder & coupler Uses OEM seals...

www.krxforum.com

www.krxforum.com

Might be what your looking for?

307Mike

· #17 · May 18, 2021

307Mike said:
Make Your Drive Line Bullet Proof 4WD

Heavy duty 300M billet prop shaft and coupler. This thing is strong . This part is designed to hold up while driving in supper harsh 4wd conditions through desert woops to rocks sections and sand. Larger upgraded shielded ball bearing 300M billet bearing holder & coupler Uses OEM seals...

www.krxforum.com

Might be what your looking for?

Oops, Just re-read what happened, I'll make a mental note to re-read a couple more times before I post ; )

Reactions: 1

budman283

· #18 · Jul 7, 2021

Has anyone had this drive shaft problem warrantied?? I've only had my KRX for 8 week 24hrs on it and snapped the drive shaft just wondering if anyone got Kawasaki to warranty it

Reactions: 1

UTV Bum

· #19 · Jul 7, 2021

The factory warranty is for 6 months. I would call the dealer and tell them you were just driving the ride and the driveshaft broke for some unknown reason. It should be covered under the 6-month warranty. There is one other person on this forum that has broken a driveshaft too.

Reactions: 2

Cruiser69

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 7, 2021

budman283 said:
Has anyone had this drive shaft problem warrantied?? I've only had my KRX for 8 week 24hrs on it and snapped the drive shaft just wondering if anyone got Kawasaki to warranty it

budman283 said:
Has anyone had this drive shaft problem warrantied?? I've only had my KRX for 8 week 24hrs on it and snapped the drive shaft just wondering if anyone got Kawasaki to warranty it

1 - 20 of 49 Posts

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