2011 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 450 Owners Manual

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8
EBU29840Checking the brake fluid level Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to enter the
brake system, possibly causing it to become inef-
fective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid is above
the minimum level mark and replenish if neces-
sary. A low brake fluid level may indicate worn
brake pads and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check the brake
pads for wear and the brake system for leakage.
Observe these precautions:
When checking the fluid level, make sure that
the top of the brake fluid reservoir is level.

Use only the recommended quality brake fluid,
otherwise the rubber seals may deteriorate,
causing leakage and poor braking performance.
Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Mixing
fluids may result in a harmful chemical reaction
and lead to poor braking performance.
Be careful that water does not enter the brake
fluid reservoir when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the fluid and may
result in vapor lock.
Brake fluid may deteriorate painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid imme-
diately.
As the brake pads wear, it is normal for the brake
fluid level to gradually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause.EBU24281Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the brake fluid at
the intervals specified in the TIP after the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. In addition,
1. Minimum level mark
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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8have the oil seals of the brake master cylinder and
calipers as well as the brake hoses replaced at the
intervals listed below or whenever they are dam-
aged or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two years.
Brake hoses: Replace every four years.EBU24394Checking the front brake lever free play The brake lever free play must be checked at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. The brake lever should have no
free play as shown. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
EBU30341Adjusting the rear brake lever and
brake pedal free play, and the brake
pedal height The rear brake lever and brake pedal free play,
and the brake pedal height must be checked and,
if necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
Adjusting the brake lever free play
The brake lever free play should measure 10.0 mm
(0.39 in). If the free play is incorrect, adjust it as fol-
lows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the brake lever.
1. No brake lever free play
1. Brake lever free play
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8 2. To increase the brake lever free play, turn the
brake lever free play adjusting bolt in direction
(a). To decrease the brake lever free play, turn
the adjusting bolt in direction (b). NOTICE:
Distance A must not measure more than
12.7 mm (0.50 in). If distance A exceeds
12.7 mm (0.50 in), the specified brake lever
free play cannot be obtained, therefore
proceed with the following steps.
[ECB01141]
TIPIf the specified brake lever free play could be ob-
tained as described above, skip steps 3-7.3. Slide the rubber cover back.
4. Loosen the brake cable adjuster locknut.
5. To increase the brake lever free play, turn the
brake lever free play adjusting nut in direction
(a). To decrease the brake lever free play, turn
the adjusting nut in direction (b). NOTICE:
Make sure that distance B measures 22
1. Locknut
2. Distance A
3. Brake lever free play adjusting bolt
12
3 (a)
(b)
1. Rubber cover
2. Distance B
3. Brake cable adjuster locknut
4. Brake lever free play adjusting nut
1
2
3
4
(b)
(a)
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8mm (0.87 in) or less. If the specified free
play cannot be obtained or if distance B
exceeds 22 mm (0.87 in), have a Yamaha
dealer check the vehicle.
[ECB01150]
6. Tighten the brake cable adjuster locknut.
7. Slide the rubber cover to its original position.
8. Tighten the locknut at the brake lever.
Adjusting the brake pedal height
The top of the brake pedal should be positioned
75.0–85.0 mm (2.95–3.35 in) above the footboard
bracket. If the brake pedal height is incorrect, ad-
just it as follows.
1. Remove the footboard by removing the bolts.2. Loosen the locknut.1. Distance between brake pedal and footboard bracket1
1. Footboard
2. Bolt22
2 1
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8 3. Turn the adjusting bolt in or out until the brake
pedal height is within the specified limits.
4. Tighten the locknut.
5. Install the footboard by installing the bolts, and
then tighten them to the specified torques.Adjusting the brake pedal free play
The brake pedal free play should measure 20.0
mm (0.79 in). If the free play is incorrect, adjust it
as follows.
1. Locknut
2. Adjusting boltTightening torque:
Locknut:
7 Nm (0.7 m·kgf, 5.1 ft·lbf)
21
1. Footboard bolt A
2. Footboard bolt BTightening torques:
Footboard bolt A:
4.0 Nm (0.40 m·kgf, 2.9 ft·lbf)
Footboard bolt B:
7 Nm (0.7 m·kgf, 5.1 ft·lbf)11
2
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8
TIPThe brake lever free play and brake pedal height
must be adjusted before adjusting the brake pedal
free play.1. Loosen the locknut.2. To increase the brake pedal free play, turn the
brake pedal free play adjusting nut in direction
(a). To decrease the brake pedal free play,
turn the adjusting nut in direction (b).
3. Tighten the locknut.
EBU24230Axle boots The axle boots must be checked for damage at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Check the axle boots for tears or
damage. If any damage is found, have them re-
placed by a Yamaha dealer.
1. Brake pedal free play
1. Locknut
2. Brake pedal free play adjusting nut
21
(a)
(b)
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8
EBU29880Brake light switches The brake light, which is activated by the brake
pedal and brake levers, should come on just be-
fore braking takes effect.
The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the other brake light
switches should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
Turn the adjusting nut while holding the brake light
switch in place. To make the brake light come on
earlier, turn the adjusting nut in direction (a). To
make the brake light come on later, turn the adjust-
ing nut in direction (b).
1. Front axle boot (each side)
1. Rear axle boot (each side)
1
1
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2(b) (a)
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8
EBU24901Checking and lubricating the cables The operation and the condition of all control ca-
bles should be checked before each ride, and the
cables and cable ends should be lubricated if nec-
essary. If a cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check or replace
it.
WARNING
EWB02581
Inspect cables frequently and replace if dam-
aged. Corrosion can result when the cable
sheaths become damaged, and cables can
also become frayed or kinked, which could
restrict the operation of controls and lead to
an accident or injury.
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.
EBU28711Checking and lubricating the front and
rear brake levers The operation of the front and rear brake levers
should be checked before each ride, and the lever
pivots should be lubricated if necessary.
Front brake lever Recommended lubricant:
Engine oilRecommended lubricants:
Front brake lever:
Silicone grease
Rear brake lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease
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