New RTV-X1100C clunking wheel noises.

[jlbota]

Well I posted an earlier thread on my new RTV-X1100c and plow setup and have used it about 10 hours or so. I started noticing a clunking noise in the front end making sharp turns...Didnt matter which way I turned and it didnt matter if it was in 2 or 4 wheel drive.
I hadnt had a chance to look much into it until one of my dealers techs came out and we jacked it up to take a look. He grabbed the passenger front wheel and looked at me and said "wow thats bad".....There is literally 3/8 of inch of play in both front wheels and you can see the control arm sliding back and forth on the bolts. Its so bad it looks like there are no bushings installed at all. The bushings are there but they dont seem to be sized right or something.
Well then we moved onto the back just for the sake of it and its even worse..... but this time its the aluminum hub bearing assembly moving back and forth in the A arm assembly. This is very dangerous and very weak and I have no idea how this even made it out the door like this. My dealer is calling Kubota in the A.M. to see if they have a fix. He did say they had a 900 with a rear problem already but hadn't heard anything on the front at all.
Needless to say I am very disappointed in Kubota...I know they all have issues at first but I really dont know how you dont catch something this bad right away.
I told my dealer if Kubota didnt have a quick fix I wanted him to take the machine back as I am not waiting a year and fighting with Kubota. He seemed to understand and said they would do everything to make it right.

I'm bummed but we will see what happens.

 

[timswi]

Wow, that's really unusual..Sounds like some serial misses during construction of the machine...I'm sure your dealer will go to bat for you, the ones I've dealt with seem to really care about their customers...Besides, based on what you said, this is completely inexcusable...They should just bring you a new machine and be done with it..That's where I'd start.

 

[jlbota]

Talked to dealer today and they had two brand new X1100s come in today. They checked them right off the truck and they have the same wheel issues mine has. Still waiting to hear back from Kubota. I may end up with another Mule in the end as i cant see how these are safe at all especially the rear portion.

 

[tamu94]

This is why I avoid first year models on any vehicle if they are new designs. The manufacturer and their suppliers have to work out the bugs and its no fun to be the test subject.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

I get a clunk sometimes. Mines a 2012. I just thought it was the strut stops.

 

[FatTire]

That is a bummer. Let us know what happens.

 

[Tailrotor]

I have been really considering buying one of the new RTV x 1100 c now I don't know.
Please keep us informed on the solution and what kubota does for you.

This might turn into one big recall. And could get real ugly!!!

 

[jlbota]

Well my dealer is stepping up big time and they are taking the RTV back next week.
He said they became aware of a problem when changing a set of wheels on an X1120 last week and made Kubota aware. Then after I spoke up they started looking into all of their machines and he said they all do this and he agrees its a huge problem. They took video and photos and sent all the info into Kubota and are just waiting on a solution which may take awhile.
I have to say though I still really like the new RTV alot and am really bummed about the issue. If they fix it right.... and I dont mean a band aid fix I may look into one in the future.

 

[Tailrotor]

Here is what jlbota is talking about we bought a new one back in December and it has 54 hrs on it and here is a link to a video of the rear wheels.

 

[Tailrotor]

This is going to be a big!! Big!! Problem. This needs fixed Kubota and ASAP!!! This is not normal this play is on the front and rear wheels of the RTV. Very very disappointed!! This is a brand new machine what is this going to be like after a year or two and running in the mud with wear from that. This is a manufacturing problem and I hope is addressed by kubota.

Anyone considering buying one of these you better wait.

 

[Ntb]

I have one that's supposed to be delivered later this week..... Can I ask who your dealer is? I'm buying from a large dealer in Pa.
Thanks

 

[timswi]

I have one that's supposed to be delivered later this week..... Can I ask who your dealer is? I'm buying from a large dealer in Pa.
Thanks

I don't think this is a dealer issue really (although they should have caught it on PDI)..I'd call your dealer and notify them that you are very aware of this issue...Could be that it was one run or one day of RTV's affected, but I would definitely be somewhat vocal about it before you take delivery.

 

[Ntb]

I don't think this is a dealer issue really (although they should have caught it on PDI)..I'd call your dealer and notify them that you are very aware of this issue...Could be that it was one run or one day of RTV's affected, but I would definitely be somewhat vocal about it before you take delivery.

I will discuss the issue with them at length, but it would be great to know if they are aware of the issue. I haven't been able to find many comments from owners. I have a 900 that I don't want to get rid if the new 1100 has issues.
Thanks

 

[timswi]

I will discuss the issue with them at length, but it would be great to know if they are aware of the issue. I haven't been able to find many comments from owners. I have a 900 that I don't want to get rid if the new 1100 has issues.
Thanks

I don't blame you at all...I'm sure this will be corrected ASAP...They don't want this kind of thing on a usually very reliable and expensive machine..My 09 1100 has been completely trouble free.

 

[Tailrotor]

I do not want to name dealers this is not a dealer issue and the issue is not contained to just the 1100 all the new models with the new IRS. And the same set up as the 1100. Our dealer told us he is contacting kubota and hoping for the best. Kubota Stants as of right now is it's normal on the new IRS. I can say this it's not normal and as a mechanic for over 30 years if you drop your car off at the shop for inspection and your rear and front wheels do this it's staying in my shop until repaired.

I was ready to pull the trigger on this unit but will wait for a while to see if a fix can be made. As jlbota had said in a early post that it's like the bushings are sized to small in the aluminum hub and will wear out in no time at all.

 

[Tailrotor]

My dealer also has bran new units with the same issue as jlbotas did. And it's the new rtv x series only. Our unit only has 54 hrs.
The main reason I posted the video is to show everyone what jlbota was talking about and bring this to light and to the TBN community squeaky wheel gets the grease and the more of us that bring this up to our dealers the faster a fix will come.

Let's hope kubota will take this problem with both feet running and resolve the issue. Before thousands of these units are out in the public. Oh and one more thing you have to jack the rear and front wheels off the ground or you we'll never know anything is wrong. Our unit runs fine and we love it just not to sure about the safety of it now.

 

[DT86]

I just asked my dealer if they had any issues with the new RTV(s) at all. He said the only problem with the new ones so far was that the old models wouldn't sell anymore.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

we've got some feelers out on this. If there is a real systemic problem here, I'd trust that it will be addressed quickly and properly. The RTV is too important of a product for Kubota to not address things. We've got 20+ of these out and have not run into this yet.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

well that was quick. Word is that its a simple adjustment in the front end. not a big deal at all.

this is one of the headaches we have with the internet. When people come here so quickly, it does not allow time for information to work its way through the official channels. Kubota was made aware of this thread, and the staff in Ohio are now engaged.

 

[Tailrotor]

Messick thanks for the reply. But the video I post was not of the front end and is of the rear wheels. I can see the front being a simple fix I to have look at the unit we have and the front is not near as bad as the rear wheels. But with that said the rear will be more of a problem. There is no simple adjustment up front that's going to fix the rear wheel issue the aluminum hub that the axle shaft goes through and is bolted top and bottom that attachment point is the issue. There is to much play or wrong sized bushings which will lead to rapid wear and failure of the wheel.

Just my opinion on the matter as I see it. Hope your right and kubota is paying attention.

And I don't think there is anything wrong with the internet this site did exactly what jlbota started and the information has gotten back to kubota which is what needed to happen and this way the problem can be quickly taken care of before more units go out to the public and have to be recalled.