is it nessary to preload your quad before adjusting the chain? What i mean by that is, hoping on the quad and straping the rear axle with the frame so i take into account my weight when i do the adjustment. When i do the adjustment with no preload, then get on the quad, the chain seems awfully tight. So im thinking if it should be adjusted with me on their so the play that it needs is there. Thanks for any help.

 

The best way to adjust your chain is to sit on the quad and have someone else adjust the chain. When you get off the machine the chain should have a decent amount of slack.

 

It is not necessary to pre-load the suspension when you are adjusting the chain of a 400EX because the chain does NOT get tighter when you sit on it like it does on the 300EX. Just adjust it with about 5/8" slack and you will be good to go.

nosaj
96 350XX
#94 MHSC
#401 SOIL

 

The service manual for the 400ex says nothing about preloading the suspention when you tighten the chain, and even has a picture of the quad sitting it's normal stance with no weight on it illustrating where to check the slop. It says to have 1.25-1.625" of slop in the chain. When it is adjusted that way, the chain still has a good 1" of slop when the suspention is compressed to where the axle, pivot, and drive gear are all inline (the longest path possible).