Axle bearings

[MX MaNiAc 06]

Im really hard on axle bearings! They are out on my 06 450r already. On my old 400ex they went out every other month.

How much will a dual row carrier help?

[400exrider707]

It will help alot, but if you are actually just that hard on bearings (which is doubtful, you probably dont have your chain adjusted properly) I would suggest a tapered bearing carrier. No matter how hard you ride you shouldn't be going through bearings that quickly.

[MX MaNiAc 06]

My chain is always at .5" of play just as the manual says.

Does jumping take them out quickly? I do a lot of jumping and i was on a motocross track when they went out.

[MAD450r]

If your jumping alot and using all your suspension you need to leave the chain a bit looser in my opinion. I only weigh about 140 or so in gear and mine has over 1 inch of play, an 04 and Im still on stock bearing almiost 200 hours on my R.

[MX MaNiAc 06]

That makes a lot of sense. Ill make sure to leave a bit more from now on.

[400exrider707]

Why would jumping make a difference? The 450Rs chain loosens as it goes through travel unlike most other sport quads, you dont want it too loose otherwise its going through your case. I would check that. Also if you spend a lot of time in mud or water that can wreak havoc on bearings. Either way there is no way the bearings should be going bad that fast. Something is not right.

[MX MaNiAc 06]

If u land more to one side its hard on them. I overshot a landing n landed uneven. In the next turn it was wabbly n making a screeching sound. Sure enough it was my carrier bearings.

Im not surprised they are out on my 06. Ive had it since September.

Something must of been wrong on the 400ex though.

[eganracing]

Originally posted by 400exrider707
Why would jumping make a difference? The 450Rs chain loosens as it goes through travel unlike most other sport quads, you dont want it too loose otherwise its going through your case. I would check that. Also if you spend a lot of time in mud or water that can wreak havoc on bearings. Either way there is no way the bearings should be going bad that fast. Something is not right.

i agree. the only thing that has ever taken out bearings on my quad is when i decided it might be fun to go mud riding.

[MX MaNiAc 06]

How about sand? There are a few sand hills behind my house i climb around on.

Would dust hurt them too?

[eganracing]

on my old 440 i used to get it buried in sand and i think that help destroy the bearings. i think if u get stuck in the sand it gets to the bearings and messes them up.

[HRC_rider]

Loose axle nuts leave no preload on the stock radial ball bearings and can cause early failure too if things get sloppy.

Your best bet regardless of what you use is too disassemble and clean the swingarm and linkages as often as the conditions you ride in dictate. Well maintained bearings will last a long time.

[honduh440]

leave ur chain at 1 3/8 inch of play

[watts16]

Maybe your axle was a little bent on your 400ex. That could cause them to go out.

[IOWAracer]

like watts said axle beaing bent or loose hubs the vibration from that or wheelieing alot my friend got a blaster and started riding like wheelies all day and they went out in 2 weeks

[400exrider707]

Originally posted by IOWAracer
like watts said axle beaing bent or loose hubs the vibration from that or wheelieing alot my friend got a blaster and started riding like wheelies all day and they went out in 2 weeks

Wheelies shouldn't affect it at all really, its the riding on two side wheels that will kill bearings.

[MX MaNiAc 06]

I did have a loose hub.. that i noticed the same time as my bearings :ermm:

How about bent rims? Hell, i have 4 of those! :eek2:

The axle nut on the 400ex was always loose. We bought one for it but never put it on. Will it fit the 450s axle? I know those stock ones are junk the first time u loosen them.