ATV fender repair

[icefisherman]

After so many years walking so many kilometers for ice fishing I finally had enough and bought myself an early Christmas present - 2010 Yamaha Grizzly 700.

There is a small crack in the front right fender around one of the mounting points for the front rack.

Read about ways to repair it but opinions I seen are all over...fiberglass...epoxy...plastic weld...big washer...you name it....

So I'd like to tap into the forum's collective knowledge. I am sure some of you guys had to deal with similar problem.

Would appreciate your advise and comments on best way to fix it.

 

 

Cheers,

Ice Fisherman

[Dara]

Thats a tough spot but quickly thinking without seeing it.

Take it off, or at least the rack so you can work.

Drill a hole at each end of the crack to keep it from spreading. We use zip ties to sew stuff like that back together.

Drill holes and put plastic zip ties in and pull tight.

Could be a bit of an issue at the mount points but there have the lock on the zip on the underside and set the rack mount on top of the tie and bolet it down tight.

 

Thats the best I got without seeing it.

 

Maybe a bit of thin metal underneath to support it at the break with some small bolts

Edited December 8, 2015 by Dara

[misfish]

Two thin pieces of metal,sandwich them where the crack is, pop rivet.

 

Or do like Dara said,and get a small pint of fibreglass fiber spread, and spread it over the entire area.

[Fisherman]

I know where that spot is. Remove the front rack, clean up the underside and crack. Put a golf tee or wood dowel in where the hole goes. Mix up enough JB to fill the cracked area. Then get the biggest stainless fender washer, (Home Depot) about 1 1/2 inch diameter. You will have to get a longer bolt, it's metric.

[aplumma]

The important thing is to drill a small hole at the ends of the crack it will prevent them from running further. Hit the back side with a rasp to give the plastic some place for the jb weld for plastic to bite to.

 

http://www.jbweld.com/products/plasticweld-epoxy-putty

 

 

 

Art

[icefisherman]

Thanks guys...not big fan of the cable ties solution...it'll look crappy...

How about this idea....remove the rack...clean underside of fender...sand it lightly...apply couple layers of much wider fiberglass cloth/raisin ...sandwich big washer in between the layers...let it dry....drill the hole through the fiberglass and mount it back all together...maybe drill small hole as you suggested to prevent cracking further...

 

Will fiberglass be better to use in this case than JB weld? Considering vibrations...cold...etc.?

By the way no issue for fiberglass to cure in this cold temps?

 

Cheers,

Ice Fisherman

Edited December 8, 2015 by icefisherman

[misfish]

Thanks guys...not big fan of the cable ties solution...it'll look crappy...

How about this idea....remove the rack...clean underside of fender...sand it lightly...apply couple layers of much wider fiberglass cloth/raisin ...sandwich big washer in between the layers...let it dry....drill the hole through the fiberglass and mount it back all together...maybe drill small hole as you suggested to prevent cracking further...

 

Will fiberglass be better to use in this case than JB weld? Considering vibrations...cold...etc.?

By the way no issue for fiberglass to cure in this cold temps?

 

Cheers,

Ice Fisherman

 

 

I would go with the fiberglass. I would still sandwich two thin sheets of metal and rivet. Just how I would do it.

[icefisherman]

How about this stuff:

 

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/automotive/auto-repair-tools/garage-tools/adhesives-sealants/permapoxy-5-minute-plastic-weld-0383718p.html?utm_campaign=bazaarvoice&utm_medium=SearchVoice&utm_source=AskAndAnswer&utm_content=Default

 

Cheers,

Ice Fisherman

[captpierre]

Thanks guys...not big fan of the cable ties solution...it'll look crappy...

How about this idea....remove the rack...clean underside of fender...sand it lightly...apply couple layers of much wider fiberglass cloth/raisin ...sandwich big washer in between the layers...let it dry....drill the hole through the fiberglass and mount it back all together...maybe drill small hole as you suggested to prevent cracking further...

 

Will fiberglass be better to use in this case than JB weld? Considering vibrations...cold...etc.?

By the way no issue for fiberglass to cure in this cold temps?

 

Cheers,

Ice Fisherman

Repaired my fibreglass canoe that way without the metal 15 yrs ago. Been great since and it takes a pounding. Not sure if same would apply with plastic.

[misfish]

If your going to use that,then go JB.

[DanD]

If you want a permanent fix, pull the fender off and have it plastic welded at a proper welding shop.

People like these.

http://canada411.yellowpages.ca/search/si/1/plastic+welding/London%2C+ON

 

I don't think any form of epoxy, fiberglass or whatever goop you put on the crack, will be of the same flexibility or pliability as the fender material and will likely crack again; possibly beside the repair.

 

Dan.

[icefisherman]

If you want a permanent fix, pull the fender off and have it plastic welded at a proper welding shop.

People like these.

http://canada411.yellowpages.ca/search/si/1/plastic+welding/London%2C+ON

 

I don't think any form of epoxy, fiberglass or whatever goop you put on the crack, will be of the same flexibility or pliability as the fender material and will likely crack again; possibly beside the repair.

 

Dan.

 

 

 

Thanks Dan,

anyone doing the same work close to the GTA? Like West part...Milton, Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton?

Cheers,

Emil

Edited December 9, 2015 by icefisherman

[Fisherman]

Here's your answer Emil, read down and they do give some prices. http://www.plasticweldingrepairs.ca/

[bigbuck]

It is a nice relatively new atv. I would get it plastic welded. For under a hundred bucks, it won't look like it had a bubba repair job. If it was an old beater, some epoxy and be done.

[2 tone z71]

Look into replacing the fender there not outrageously priced

[porkpie]

$160 for the whole fender when I broke a huge chunk off mine. Factory yamaha.

[2 tone z71]

Yep exactly ..why bother Frankensteining your new toy

[icefisherman]

Here's your answer Emil, read down and they do give some prices. http://www.plasticweldingrepairs.ca/

 

 

---Update---

 

Called the guy Fisherman recommended above (Thanks Bud!) ...real nice chat on the phone...emailed him the picture above....immediately agreed for me to take the quad there and said no issues fixing it.

Went there this afternoon...took about 45 min of work he fixed this problem and two other smaller imperfections...all for $55. Guy knows plastic welding has all the tools and does it for living....

Very happy with his work, he put extra plastic support under the fender and said should I ever have any issue with it to go back and he'll fix it again if needed - no extra charge...you can tell he is very proud and confident in his work.

Would recommend him to anyone...

Thanks to all your advice and comments.

 

Will be posting separate threads with other questions I have while trying to setup the quad for the ice fishing season (hope it comes ;-)

 

Cheers,

Ice Fisherman

Edited December 10, 2015 by icefisherman

[Fisherman]

Well dang, there you go all fixed shiny and new. Enjoy the Yamaha, it's a fine ride.