So the front end on my sled was worn out at 4000 miles. Turns out that the lower control arm ball joints are not replaceable without replacing the LCA's. When the LCA ball joints failed, it wrecked the spindles. $375 a piece (i think)plus bushings for the LCA's $260 a piece for spindles. $1700 warranty claim with labor. I would suggest to others to carefully check your LCA's by standing on the ski, and pull up on the LCA......Especially if you don't have extended warranty.

I am surprised they are covering that on warranty. You are LUCKY!!

Trust me he's the warranty KING!

Looks like I have some fuel for the fire. Still waiting on the word from Yamaha if they'll cover my front end slop!!
Now they have to ... mine also has 4000 miles.

This doesn't affect the slop. This only stops the front suspension from failing. My handlebars still have over an inch of play with everything in spec. Apparently "not enough people have complained" to Yamaha.

Dude if it isn't one thing it's another, classic comment from Yamaha...

Is it safe to say the new Phazers are definately having some strength problems?
I'm not bashing, only wondering. I had considered getting a used one. I'm definately getting something next year. But at 240-250 pounds, I don't want something that can't hold up. I have been reading about a few problems in here. Just wondering how common it is.


Thanks.

The front end problems are just now appearing, as most people don't have 4500 miles. I ride the sled pretty hard as well. But the fact remains that the ball joints are $375 per side...........Plus labor. My dealer said I'm the first one to have this. But given it was both sides, it's probably not a fluke. There was over 1/2 an inch of up / down play.
It's actually difficult to notice this unless your unweight the LCA's while checking the sled over.

Hey Hemi, I thought you were going to get rid of your Phazer??? So, actually how long did you think your front end components were going to last??? As far as front end components on a sled are concerned, I have a slight bit of place in my left outer T.R.E. and slight vertical slop in U.B.J. I will be quite happy to see my front end components last 4500 miles considering these components are exposed to the elements without means of proper lubrication, other than simply spraying synthetic lubricant on the exposed ball surface and hoping it penetrates into the joint. I also suspect material quality might be an issue here. I must say, these are the flaws with the front end, other than the bulkhead robustness. My 2 cents!!!

Mine had very little noticable play until after 3000 miles, but it got worse very quickly after that. I was hoping it would last the same as my last 3 sleds, a little sloppy around 7000+ miles, at which point, only the joints, not the whole front end needed replacing. It was a total ball joint failure, it did not wear out. I do think the ball joints should be seperatly replaceable, my TRE's are only a little slopply,as are the upper balljoints. If it was a 50$ ball joint, it would have been only slightly goofy, and not a big deal. A boot around vulnerable components might be a good idea, as would some grease zerks.

yamaha better cover that. I would be upset If I had to rebuild the front end of sled every other year. 4500 is not that many miles to be having front end problems like that.