400ex axle

[400exMO]

Hey I have a 03' 400ex with total stock rearend. But when I grab my grab bar and leave the wheels on the ground and shake it from side to side, it makes a loud popping noise, like the axle is slipping from side to side. The chain tensioner is all the way tight, so any advice?

[kd5sfq]

Could be a bad bearing in your axle carrier... We had a bearing go out not to long ago. It ruined the axle and the carrier.

A loose axle nut could make noise as well...

[400exrider707]

Originally posted by 400exMO
Hey I have a 03' 400ex with total stock rearend. But when I grab my grab bar and leave the wheels on the ground and shake it from side to side, it makes a loud popping noise, like the axle is slipping from side to side. The chain tensioner is all the way tight, so any advice?

Well it sounds like axle bearings, but the cause of that is because you have your chain tightened to the max:eek2: Its not supposed to be like that and will cause pre-mature bearing wear. Consult you owners manual it tells you right in there how to adjust your chain.

[400exMO]

No my chain has the proper play in it, im saying the bolts on the back of the swingarm are completely tight. not my chain. i'm not an idiot

[400exrider707]

Ok well then it sounds like you need to replace bearings and possibly a carrier.

[400exMO]

is there anyway I can check and make sure that's what's wrong?

[400exrider707]

Yeah have someone hold the back end in the air, and then you grab the axle and move it around, you should be able to see and feel it moving inside of the carrier. That will tell you that your bearings are bad. If it moves a lot then its possible you messed up the carrier as well. You will need to replace the bearings, so when you take it apart you will know if the carrier is bad or not.

[400exMO]

I tried that but I can't get the axle to move then. It's only when the wheels are on the ground and I shake it hard from side to side.

[400exrider707]

Have you checked to see if its your swingarm bearings? Or I guess it could possibly be linkage bearings? Your best bet is to shake it and have someone else see where the noise is coming from.

[400exMO]

I did that and it's definentely coming from the bearing carrier, can it like look anywhere and be able to tell if they're bad. how much do they cost

[400exrider707]

prolly around $50 from service honda or you can get the cheap ones on ebay for around $20 shipped. Personally I would use the honda ones.

[400exMO]

alright, thanks for helping me out man

[400exrider707]

no prob, hope thats all it is.

[ZeroLogic]

just had bearings go in my 300ex last weekend :(


i wish honda would use a different method of putting the axle and swing together for the 300ex and above

:o

[400exMO]

well what do you have to do to change them on the 400ex? anybody know a link for the entire process or know themselves?