I know this topic is an old one but when everybody was talking about it I didn't have the problem. I bought one of the first XUV's in March of this year. I didn't have a problem with it until early fall when I started getting "that noise" under the front differential that many were talking about. I had about 60 hours on it before it started making the thumping sound.
I took it to the dealer and he looked up the serial number which took him to a service bulletin that mentioned the backlash adjustment on the front drive shaft. They pulled it apart and all the proper washers were in there, the adjustments were made and it was reassembled.
The noise stopped, for about an hour. I took it back and he readjusted some fitting with a hex head. He said he had to push in the shaft then back it out some so it wouldn't lock up. It was quiet again, for about an hour. It is still making the noise but not as bad.
I went back yesterday just to speak with him and he said the adjustment may need a little fine tuning and that I could try it myself or take it back to him. He did suggest that a JD factory rep would be at the dealership in 2 weeks, I could bring it in then and have him look at it.
I know there was some concern on the first production models. The questions I have is (1) if anyone has had to get this fixed and found a permanent solution to the problem, and (2) does anyone have a later model XUV that has the same problem. I would think they would have the kinks worked out by now. The reason I ask is that I am considering trading for the diesel. I have the 620i which I really like (except for the noise) but I would think the diesel might be a little better. The trade difference is $2000 which is steep for trading in a new Gator for a new Gator although the diesel is a $1100 option right off the top. Please let me know if anyone has the permanent fix for the noise (other than a trade).
I took it to the dealer and he looked up the serial number which took him to a service bulletin that mentioned the backlash adjustment on the front drive shaft. They pulled it apart and all the proper washers were in there, the adjustments were made and it was reassembled.
The noise stopped, for about an hour. I took it back and he readjusted some fitting with a hex head. He said he had to push in the shaft then back it out some so it wouldn't lock up. It was quiet again, for about an hour. It is still making the noise but not as bad.
I went back yesterday just to speak with him and he said the adjustment may need a little fine tuning and that I could try it myself or take it back to him. He did suggest that a JD factory rep would be at the dealership in 2 weeks, I could bring it in then and have him look at it.
I know there was some concern on the first production models. The questions I have is (1) if anyone has had to get this fixed and found a permanent solution to the problem, and (2) does anyone have a later model XUV that has the same problem. I would think they would have the kinks worked out by now. The reason I ask is that I am considering trading for the diesel. I have the 620i which I really like (except for the noise) but I would think the diesel might be a little better. The trade difference is $2000 which is steep for trading in a new Gator for a new Gator although the diesel is a $1100 option right off the top. Please let me know if anyone has the permanent fix for the noise (other than a trade).
It's a great machine, but I hate that noise.