I have an '01 Xplorer 400 4x4 and the rear chain is fairly loose on it. How tight should it actually be? Do I leave a little play? Get it snug with it sitting with no extra weight? I've read different posts but I'm still not quite sure. Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I leave about 3/8 to a 1/2 inch of slack in the chain with no rider. I know that polaris has some different swingarm setups, so you may have to adjust that figure depending on which design you have. I dont remember what the xplorer rear end looks like.

 

You want to be able to compress the suspension and still have just a tad of slackness. If you adjust the chaint to tight and you compress the suspension the chain is the first thing to snap.

 

Thanks for the recommendations.

 

Take a ratchet strap around the bumper and axle, strap it down to the max you will ever compress it.......then give just a little slack in there(max 1/4").......

 

i believe an 01 explorer has the concentric rear end (chain/countershaft and the swingarm pivot on the same axis)

you shouldnt need to strap anything because the chain tension remains constant throughout the motion of the swingarm

 

yep you are correct Bing........I guess I didn't read it very carefully, I didn't see it said 01............anyways......now you know how to do it to an older model.....lol.......


Thanks again Bing

 

it would have produced the same result

just thought id save him the extra strap trouble[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Ok....I just want to make sure I have my information straight. I should be able to tighten up the chain, but leaving a little bit of slack, without having to compress the suspension?

 

yes you are correct, either way is fine, but if you compress the suspension(on the newer models) it stays at the same angle and tightness as if it were compressed..."concentric"...................