well, i've had my 400 for a little more than a year now and finally got the guts to take the rear end apart to lube everything. all the shock sub-assembly went fine, no problems. not doing the bearings because i'm getting a RAD carrier any day now.
the problem came with the swingarm pivot bolt. this dang thing is frozen completely. i got the nut off no problem, but tried to turn the bolt using the bolt head on the right side and it wouldn't freakin' budge. i tried spraying everything real good with wd-40 and let is set for a while, then tapping the bolt with a sledge hammer. still no luck. so, started hitting it a little harder and the end of the bolt started to bend. i quit pounding it at this point so i could still get the nut back on it. of course i don't know what i'm worried about because i don't think that thing is ever coming out. i'm ordering a new bolt and bearings, seals, etc., then i'll go back at trying to get this one out.
i read through an old post about a few tricks to get it out, like using PD spray (not sure what this is, if someone can please let me know, i would appreciate it.). also, using an air hammer was another trick - don't have one, but i do have a compressor, so i'll check out the cost on these. the other main solution was to just beat it until it comes out and replace the bolt.
i don't really know what i'm going to do, because i'm afraid by beating the bolt with a hammer will just bend it to the point where it won't slide out through the swingarm. i guess i'll end up cutting it out somehow, but i don't know how i'm going to do that either. <sigh>
if anyone has any further assistance or tips, i would greatly appreciate any feedback. also, since i'm mx racing now, i know i will have to get a new swingarm at some point. does the bolt and bearings come with a new swingarm or do you use the stock parts?
so...the lesson is, don't wait to lube the swingarm pivot. i'll be lubing mine once a month from now on.