2011 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 brake pads

Parking ....................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope ..................................... 6-5
Accessories and loading ............................ 6-6
RIDING YOUR ATV ...................................... 7-1
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV............... 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD
JUDGMENT .............................................. 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............. 7-9
TURNING YOUR ATV .............................. 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-13
RIDING DOWNHILL.................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE............................... 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER ................................................... 7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ........... 7-21
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ......................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO IF... .................................... 7-22
WHAT TO DO... ........................................ 7-23
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT ............................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ....................... 8-2
Periodic maintenance chart for
the emission control system ..................... 8-3
General maintenance and lubrication
chart ......................................................... 8-5Removing and installing panels ................8-10
Removing the radiator grills ......................8-21
Checking the spark plug ...........................8-22
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................8-24
Final gear oil .............................................8-28
Differential gear oil ....................................8-30
Coolant .....................................................8-33
Cleaning the air filter element ...................8-38
Cleaning the spark arrester ......................8-42
V-belt case drain plug ...............................8-44
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .........8-44
Valve clearance ........................................8-45
Adjusting the drive select lever safety
system cable ...........................................8-45
Brakes .......................................................8-45
Checking the front and rear brake pads ...8-46
Checking the rear brake hose
protectors ................................................8-47
Checking the brake fluid level ...................8-47
Changing the brake fluid ...........................8-49
Checking the front and rear brake lever
free play ..................................................8-49
Adjusting the brake pedal free play ..........8-50
Axle boots .................................................8-52
Checking and lubricating the cables .........8-52
Checking and lubricating the front and
rear brake levers .....................................8-53
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5-2
5
Front brakeCheck operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.
Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add recommended brake
fluid to specified level if necessary.
Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-46, 8-47, 8-49
Rear brakeCheck operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
Check pedal free play, and adjust if necessary.
Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.
Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add recommended brake
fluid to specified level if necessary.
Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-46, 8-47, 8-49,
8-50
Throttle leverMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate cable and lever hous-
ing if necessary.
Check cable free play, and adjust if necessary.5-4, 8-44
Control cablesMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate if necessary. 8-52
Wheels and tiresCheck wheel condition, and replace if damaged.
Check tire condition and tread depth. Replace if necessary.
Check air pressure. Correct if necessary.5-4
Brake pedal Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate pedal pivoting point if
necessary.8-54
Brake leversMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate lever pivoting points if
necessary.8-53
Axle bootsCheck for cracks or damage, and replace if necessary. 8-52
Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened. 5-7
Instruments, lights and
switchesCheck operation, and correct if necessary. 5-7 ITEM ROUTINE PAGEU28P62E0.book Page 2 Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:25 PM

5-4
5Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or brake fluid reservoirs. Apply the
brakes firmly for one minute. If a lever moves slow-
ly inward, there may be a leak in the brake system.
If there is any leakage, the brake system should be
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance, check
the brake pads for wear. (See page 8-46.)
EBU19761Throttle lever Check the operation of the throttle lever. It must
open smoothly and spring back to the idle position
when released. Have a Yamaha dealer correct if
necessary.
EBU19794Tires Check tire pressure regularly to make sure it is at
the recommended specifications. Also check for
wear and damage.
Tire pressure
Use the low-pressure tire gauge to check and ad-
just tire pressures when the tires are cold. Tire
pressures must be equal on both sides.
WARNING! Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause severe injury
or death from loss of control or rollover. Tire
pressure below the minimum specified could
also cause the tire to dislodge from the rim un-
der severe riding conditions.
[EWB02541]
Set tire
pressures to the following specifications: Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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8-5
8
EBU21865General maintenance and lubrication chart TIP
For ATVs not equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the month maintenance intervals.
For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the km (mi) or hours maintenance inter-
vals. However, keep in mind that if the ATV isn’t used for a long period of time, the month maintenance
intervals should be followed.
Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools,
data and technical skills.NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320
1 Air filter elementClean and replace if necessary.Every 20–40 hours (more often in wet or
dusty areas)
2*Front brakeCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and
correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
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8-6
8
3*Rear brakeCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check brake pedal free play and adjust if neces-
sary.
Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and
correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
4*Brake hosesCheck for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary.√√√√
Replace. Every 4 years
5*Rear brake hose
protectorsCheck for wear, cracks or other damage, and re-
place if necessary.√√√√√
6*WheelsCheck runout and for damage, and replace if nec-
essary.√ √√√
7*TiresCheck tread depth and for damage, and replace if
necessary.
Check air pressure and balance, and correct if
necessary.√ √√√
8*Wheel hub bearingsCheck for looseness or damage, and replace if
necessary.√ √√√
9*V- b e l tCheck for wear, cracks or other damage, and re-
place if necessary.√ √√√ NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320U28P62E0.book Page 6 Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:25 PM

8-46
8
WARNING
EWB02571Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could lead to a loss in braking ability
and an accident.EBU27470Checking the front and rear brake pads The front and rear brake pads must be checked for
wear at the intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart. Each brake pad is
provided with a wear indicator groove, which al-
lows you to check the brake pad wear without hav-
ing to disassemble the brake. If a brake pad has
worn to the point that the wear indicator groove has
almost disappeared, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the brake pads as a set.TIPThe wheels need to be removed to check the
brake pads. (See page 8-64.)
Front brake
Rear brake1. Wear indicator groove
1. Wear indicator groove
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8-47
8
EBU27843Checking the rear brake hose protec-
tors The rear brake hose protectors must be checked
for wear at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. Each brake
hose protector is provided with a wear indicator. If
a protector wears to the point that its indicator be-
comes visible, have a Yamaha dealer replace the
protector.TIPThe wheels need to be removed to check the
brake hose protectors. (See page 8-64.)
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.1. Rear brake hose protector
2. Wear indicator
3. Protector is normal.
4. Protector is worn.
U28P62E0.book Page 47 Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:25 PM

8-48
8Front brake
Rear brakeObserve 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.
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
2WD
4WD
1
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
U28P62E0.book Page 48 Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:25 PM