Noob Question!

[Honda4LifeWes36]

Well my chain is really loose.

I need to tighten it.

But I dont know how LOL!

Any help?

[riotact]

Loosen the 4 cap screws on the back of your swing arm,stick a big screw driver in the slot of the bearing carrier by the rear sprocket,and I think pull it toward you I think but youll be able to figure that part out.Next,tighten up the four bolts and your done.

[CJM]

Let me add some more info so you do it right. riotact is correct in the procedure somewhat.

You want to lift the rearend off the ground, this way you have no tension on the chain. Removing the shock would also be a good idea but not really needed.

Loosen it all up, then tighten the chain so at its mid point on the upper part of the chain you have about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of play.

[99RED4X4]

My 2cents:

Unless you have the correct tool to move the rear carrier, I suggest using a 1/4 extension.

In my case, I don't have the real tool to complete the job and I screwed one of the holes up using a screwdriver. The best thing I found to use was a 1/4 extension.

This might not work for you, but it works great for me.
Just thought I'd give my opinion.

[honda400ex2003]

the big part of the shock adjuster works also if you are really in a pinch. steve

[rmcfadden68]

everyone has the idea. do you by chance have the tools that came from factory your looking for the long allen wench tool. it ill fit in the slot on the outside ring between sprocket and carrier. put the allen wrench in slot go thru the sprocket and pull the bike towards you. make sure ur in neutral. tighten 4 bolts. be careful not to break bolts there are weak and enjoy.

[Honda4LifeWes36]

got 3 outta 4 bolts loose cant get the last one...can i still do it.

also how do you turn the deal on the side of the sprocket???

[4reeds]

slide the closed end of a wrench over the end of the allen wrench for more leverage to get the bolt loose.

[Honda4LifeWes36]

does it absolutely have to be off to get the chain tightened cuz i almost got er stripped out

[CJM]

Could try, might be loose enough.

I would try and fix it if I were you. Vise grips maybe?

[Honda4LifeWes36]

Well I put the allen wrench in the hole to tighten the chain and I think one of the holes is filled with mud/dirt!?!

I may never get the damn chain tightened

[4reeds]

put a small pry bar in between where the bolts were and lightly pry as you try to tighten the chain.

[CJM]

There is more than one hole ya know..

[rmcfadden68]

might be too late. but yeah either use another hole or clean the one out thats dirty

[Honda4LifeWes36]

WOW All the holes are filled. The allen wrench acts like it is too big but maybe Ill just keep diggin the dirt out.

The allen wrench is the one that came with the quad so it has to be the right one

Originally posted by 4reeds
put a small pry bar in between where the bolts were and lightly pry as you try to tighten the chain.


BOOOOOOOOOOOOOYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA :eek2: :macho :eek2: :p :rolleyes: :mad: :D :D

[rmcfadden68]

yeah its the right one. mines sloppy to. but with all four screws loose and slot clean it wont hurt to use that allen, because theres very little resistence on it. and in the future every time you tighten chain bank on them holes and slots being dirty. use a scratch awl, knife of small screw driver to clean out. did you get that fourth bolt out?

[extremetrucker]

if you can't get the 4th pinch bolt out, tighten the rest of them, and loosen the stripped one first, might take some pressure off it, and yes the slots are always dirty, keep diggin til you can get something seated in there properly, stock carriers are incredibly brittle.

[rooster300ex]

You don't have to take the shock off and keep it on the ground, also make sure u sit on the quad when u check the slack. If its a stock carrier use huge channel lock pliers, if not use a punch that fits in the hole snuggly.

[rmcfadden68]

good idea with tighten the other 3 first. never thought of that. and another good idea with channel locks. thats the way i used to do it. i imagin its gonna break. tyr vice grips on stripped bolt. your local dealer or fastner company should have bolt. its a very common bolt. if it does break dont wig out. i have had this happen several times. easy outs havent worked me. they just cut the bolts. i used a small drill bit in the tighten direction(clockwise) it stuck in the bolt and the bolt threaded out the bottom. the bolt hole goes all the way thru allowing the bolt to come out the bottom.

[Honda4LifeWes36]

Well Ill try tomorrow. Should I be able to tell when it goes through the sprocket??

And no I didnt get that fourth one yet. I was too frustrated.

[Honda4LifeWes36]

Well I got to looking at my buddies quad today. His is the same as mine, same year and everything and his adjuster is way different than mine. His has the grooves in stuff. On mine there is just a circle piece that has like 3 holes in it.

Maybe mine doesnt have the adjuster???

[CJM]

take a picture so we can all see what you have.

[Honda4LifeWes36]

I can take a picture off my phone but not sure how to get it on here??

[Honda4LifeWes36]

Not sure if this will work...

[extremetrucker]

lucky you... you got an aftermarket billet carrier, same concept, just get the holes cleaned out and stick a punch or something in it.

[Honda4LifeWes36]

Awesome. I'll keep "diggin"

[Honda4LifeWes36]

Well I got all the mud out and now my screwdriver / allen wrench has hit metal and it is still not inside the sprocket. The allen wrench from factory does not fit inside there. I'm lost yet again

[CJM]

Got a punch? perhaps a 1/4 drive extension will work?

For clarification here: You have the cinch bolts already out, good.

You find the holes on the piece next to the sprocket and put the allen or similar took in there and yank towards you. Whole thing should snug up.

I pointed it out in red in your picture.

[CJM]

picture

[CJM]

straight out of the manual

[99RED4X4]

Thats the same carrier that I have. When I first encountered it I wondered the same thing.

Use a 1/4" extension!!http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/602534_front200.jpg

I cracked mine trying to use a screwdriver (phillips) and the allen that fits the adjuster bolts. The hole is exactly 1/4"

The problem is (besides that one bolt you have left) is that all of the grease is gone inside there. One day when you remove the carrier, put grease between the carrier and the swingarm and that thing will rotate like a dream!!

If your like me, when I first looked at the adjustment, I was like "How can moving this possibly tighten/loosen the chain?" - Its basically a big cam (like the camshaft from a car)

[Honda4LifeWes36]

WOW thanks guys. With that last bolt in, It wouldn't pull toward me. So I finally got it out (while ruining the bolt LOL have to get a new one tomorrow). But finally got er tightened up.

Thanks!!

[rmcfadden68]

congrats! anything else, post it. theres hundreds of people on here that will help. this website is the tits. between this and my clymer ive done all thats needed/wanted to do. saving big bucks d.i.y.