I raced for the first time ever yesterday. I actually did very well considering I have a fairly stock bike. I started out in 11th out of 12 people and ended up getting 4th. All the other quads were 400's and one bombardier. I was the only one clearing the doubles there. Anyways, When I went to wash my fourwheeler this morning I noticed that there was a huge crack in the swingarm. I called around and found one used one for $175. Or I could get a new Leagers for 430. Or I could get a lonestar for 500 or a burgard for 525. One place told me that I should get it welded my a good aluminum welder, but I'm not so sure about that. I jump pretty high, so I was thinking that if I get another stock swingarm it will just break again later and it might pay off in the long run to get a good one now instead of going though a couple of stockers. What do all you guys think I should do?

 

I too tried racing a couple times this summer. My swingarm has held up fine, but I broke a DuraBlue X-33.
Anyway, I saw several 400EX with broke/welded swingarms. One guy was on his second replacement stocker, it also had broke, been welded, and broke again that night. He was getting a chromo on order.
I would say, don't mess around with the stock one, and go for a chromoly one. They break too, but I am sure it will last longer than stock. I can't say the same for DuraBlue X-33 axles though!

 

i did not hear of many swing arms breaking a few that do 40+ foot jumps all the time but a tons of stuff broke before that.

 

Get an eliminator those aluminum hubs on the x-33 brake too easy...use you stock hubs. as for the swingarm I too recommend chromeoly

 

I broke my swingarm last week and I got it welded and I powdercoated it red. It seems to be holding up fine. I would first try to weld it, then if it breaks, buy aftermarket.

 

Go with the aftermarket swingarm made of chromoly. Dont atv mantufactures know that alumium swing arms never hold up. I guess it is their way of making money. I had one brake on an LT250 and an LT500. Just just cant take the abuse.

 

Steel swingarms break too, I have chalked up two myself.

I check the EX after every ride, been lucky so far I guess... (I try to keep from casing the doubles though )

 

I have saw alot of 400s break swingarms, most guys go with aftermarket. If you are going to race anymore then I would go ahead and spend the money to get a good aftermarket.

 

Buy a descent aftermarket swingarm. You don't need anything too expensive, just not aluminum. A lot of swingarms break on the 400EX racers. I'm saving my money for when my day comes.

 

Nah,

My play riding is harder on my bike than my racing is. I jump too much when playing. When woods racing, I rarely bottom my rear suspension as hard or as often.

I have a 99 EX at my house right now that is a close friend's, I spent a lot of time on that bike before I got mine. Broke a swingarm on it when it was about 5 months old. I believe the problem with it was linked to some especially poor landing form on a few particularly nasty jumps. It probably didn't help that my friend weighs anywhere from 205~225 and has no mechanical sympathy.

I'll have my aftermarket rear shock before long, that'll help protect the swingarm as well. Until then, I'll just keep an eye on it.

I'll be disassembling all my suspension for inspection and lubrication before the next race, to make sure it is in top condition.

Being a cast piece, I often wonder if some of the swingarm batches come out weaker than others. I have talked to a couple of people on the trail that I know don't abuse their machine's 1/2 of what I do, that tell me they have broken theirs. Don't know if they're trying to impress me, or if they were being truthful.