Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail loose knuckle bolts

[@railblaze7196]

I have a 2008 TRV 650. It did the same thing. I put new bushings in all the A arms and put grease fitting in. Haven't had a problem since

[@Big-Foot-Randy]

If those control arm bolts were tightened beyond what it takes to keep the control arm from splaying out (IE the gap where the spindle upright mounts gets wider), the control arm and upright will no longer articulate like they need to. What is obvious to me (I own a 2014 AC Trail) is that the control arms need a double thickness through the bolt area you've shown. This would give a much larger area for the bolt to ride in. Also, the correct bolts were not used as the threads of the bolt should never come in contact with anything other than the nut that secures it. That is in ME-101. I will be replacing my bolts with ones that have a shoulder that reaches all the way through the control arm as appropriate. Thanks for sharing your video. I hope AC takes care of you..

[@CwickAdventures]

I just purchased a 15 wildcat x I feel the need to go over everything now. It's got around 110 miles on it.

[@kong3]

I think there was a recall on the plastic bushings. I got my train in Feb 2014 i.think, and they replaced my bushings during a reg service just a few months later. Now I have 3500 miles and they are wallered out and have to be fixed.

[@skabootykat]

do you know if the 2016 models are still having problems? found a good deal on a leftover model.

[@dangerousdave771]

Got the chance of a new 700 trail, so what is the problem here, loose bolts from the manufacturer? So it's just tighten them up to the correct torque and away I go? Or do I need to replace the bushings/bolts?

[@musmus94]

At least you didn't blow the motor after 7 miles like I did. I'm on my second motor!

[@JeffWagner-lp3zl]

Not heavy enough material on the A arm. The bolts can't be tight, or the suspension won't travel travel correctly.

[@gordgroves2093]

Just saw your video, I have a 2016 Trail and after two weeks of ownership I took it back because both rear wheels did the same thing as yours, rattled and sounded loose. When I got it back from the dealer the service manager said that it needed a couple of bushings, but when I talked to the guy that did the work he said 6 bushings were missing from both rear wheel A-arms. Your right, where's the quality control?

[@corey_mck]

Manual states that torque should be rechecked at 100 miles. That goes for almost all machines, not just Arctic Cat. If your dealer didn't do it, it sounds like a problem with the dealer.

[@marcoradat]

And that's all well and good but on my buddies Trail that had 20 miles on it and on the Sport I bought that had 0 miles on it the same fasteners in question where not torqued correctly. Arctic Cat has production quality issues, it's just that simple.

[@corey_mck]

As a follow up to this, I now feel your pain. Our Sport LE consistently loosens the passenger side lower a-arm bolt. It was checked after break in. The first bolt loosened, broke off on the nut side, slid out and punched a hole in the rim, and it bent the upper a-arm because the knuckle caught the wheel and twisted it. Everything was replaced, and after riding last night I noticed the new bolt (which has been re-torqued multiple times) had broken off and ovalized the holes in the arm.

[@spooln30]

Do you have a factory service manual? It states in the maintenance chart that you were supposed to check and torque all of the nuts and bolts after break in or 100 miles. Then check and torque if needed every month or 100 miles. Every manufacturer has the similar requirements. I'm guessing you didn't follow this and shouldn't blame Arctic Cat for your mistakes. If you don't have a FSM go to Country Cats website and go to the technical section. They have free FSM to download. I know the Trail has had a few issues but every machine that is first brought into production will have quirks. Some known issues are the oil lines, front sway bar noises and the engine mounts. I believe most of the issues besides the sway bar, are caused by the engine mounts allowing the engine to move too much. Don't think AC has addressed this with updated mounts yet. Most guys are just making new ones that won't break. Other manufacturers have problems throughout the machines lifespan. PoPo. Lol. Did you take it in for warranty for the suspension parts with the oblonged holes and did they actually cover it seeing it was your fault? If you had it serviced at a AC dealer and they miss torquing the bolts then I apologize. My dad's 2012 Sportsman 500 has had its fair share of issues and that atv has been out for years. They still haven't fixed the known problems. On the other hand my 02 500 Arctic Cat has been a beast. I ride aggressively and she stays together. Good luck to ya.

[@marcoradat]

I had all my break in service done at an AC dealer. I doubt they checked it because no one checks that because you shouldn't have to. AC has poor build quality there really is nothing more to it than that.

[@rugby3874]

the trail doesn't like bigger tires, we had the same problem

[@tommarsh5878]

Did I miss how this was repaired/replaced? Have the same issue on my '17 trail.

[@marcoradat]

Tom Marsh Arctic Cat replaced the bushings but wouldn't replace the arms. It didn't fix the problem. I ended up selling it when the Sport came out.

[@sam32rahman]

@6gearz would you recommend staying away from this machine? I am looking at a 2014 with 200 miles on it. Thanks!

[@marcoradat]

Not necessarily. Hopefully by now the previous owner(s) have taken care of its deficiencies. If it meets your riding needs it is a good economical choice.

[@sam32rahman]

@@marcoradat it does worry me it only has 200 miles. Not much riding to take care of the factory concerns.

[@sam32rahman]

@@marcoradat what specifics would you suggest I check/ask about when I go to look at it today?

[@mtnsmud2717]

Just bought a 18 wildcat trail has 3 miles on it knuckle bushings are shit replace with ajs bushings an youll be good to go glad i put 30s on it from the start or wouldnt have noticed till holes were wallowed out. O an upgrade to 12 mm studs factory 10s are weak an will break off

[@bubba197805]

Never buy a 1st year model of any kind I always say. My 15 cat trail I love. Bought new, 0 miles last spring an put 2000 miles on with no issues. Only thing I had to replace was tires lol. Also even though I can do the oil changes myself I take it to my dealer which is a very good dealer an goes through everything on my oil changes. That could have a lot to do also with mine being reliable.

[@marcoradat]

+jr o My 15 Sport which is effectively a 2nd year for the Trail has had similar issues but I will say not as many as the Trail did. It's just Cat's lack of quality. My Yamaha YXZ has close to a 1000 hard dune miles really beating on the suspension and the motor and all I've done is regular maintenance. It does't squeak or rattle and bolts don't back themselves loose.

[@bubba197805]

I will say with my 15 it did have some rattles an squeaks but after I threw a new set of rims an tires on it it was like a brand new machine. An I live in northern WI an a lot of are trails are rocky an gotta say its not rattling anything loose on mine Maybe part might be the stock tires with all the rattling. Maybe you got a Friday or Monday built machine on your first one lol

[@SouthFLMudClub]

So how are u liking that AC Sport?

[@marcoradat]

spitnhard79 Love it, plain and simple!

[@BillyBlaze7]

Damn! I am running out of options....every time I think I have found a UTV that I (want, and can afford) I find something like this... Is there ANYONE that makes a reasonably priced 50in UTV that's worth a crap??? Sure aint looking like it....I've seen them burn to the ground, faulty components, shoddy hardware and now QC issues out the ying yang. I mean damn most of these things are the price of a CAR. MIght as well just buy a used Jeep!!

[@sayheytome]

should i buy the sport or the trail limited?

[@marcoradat]

sayheytome If you can swing it and it will fit on your trails the Sport is the better buy overall.

[@sayheytome]

thanks. i looked into the options available. i wanted a 2015 wildcat sport xt but wanted to add on the electronic power steering but the dealership said they can't do it. i would have to buy the limited version.

[@marcoradat]

sayheytome You can add power steering to the XT for about $400 if I recall correctly. Wicked Bilt and Super ATV have them.

[@sayheytome]

thanks! i just found it.

[@sayheytome]

6gearz...is the cab on the wildcat sport limited bigger than the trail?

[@Thebeerman87]

Where did you buy it from

[@marcoradat]

I got it from a small shop in western Oklahoma, honestly don't remember the name. None of the problems I've had can be attributed to the retailer.

[@Thebeerman87]

marcoradat where I buy mine the dealer is responsible for making sure that there products are up to par that includes checking all bolts nuts and wiring before it's sold

[@marcoradat]

Johnsmopar I actually do blame my dealer for my oil lines coming off at 3.5 hours since they said they did the service update on it. But I can't blame them for loose header bolts, loose suspension bolts, missing hardware, failed motor mounts, failed front diff, the noisiest sway bars I ever heard, etc, etc,...That's all on Arctic Cat in my book. All that being said I think Arctic Cat really stands behind they poor manufacturing and does up hold their warranty as all of my issues have been remedied under the warranty and have been met with no resistance from the local dealer or the manufacturer. I just wish they turned out a product that was a little more solid from day one. I still love my trail and if handles most everything I throw at it.

[@brianj123458]

The biggest problem I see with artic cat is people still buying them

[@merza16465]

Fuckkk I'm from Iraq same noise sounds I will fix it sooooon

[@oakley21993]

Mines a 2018 wild cat sport same issue… I fix that that piece of shit more than I ride it never again will I buy an Arctic cat!!! JUNK!!!!!

[@merza16465]

Damnnn dont chang tire ever you big tire is peace of shit small tire with dilton industry clutch = faster than rzr 1000