Recently, I installed a 42 rear sprocket and when I loosened the nuts to adjust the chain, etc., water came out of the housing. I do not ride in the water very often and only to cross creeks. Is this normal on a quad? Looks like I am headed for bearing trouble if this is the case. Other than staying out of the water, any ideas? Suggestions?

 

Sorry I am no help with your water problem but what about that 42t sprocket. I have just put on a 12t C\S and am setting at 12t/40t. Wondering what the 42t does for you.?

 

Ya this is normal the 400ex does the same thing just after water riding and washing loosing up axle housing and lubricate. You should do this anyway to prevent the housings from gaulding together.

 

I have only had the housing loose to do adjustments and I don't know what they look like inside. Do you have to completely take it apart to grease it?

 

I have ran several combos like the 12/40 and the 11/40 and now have the 12/42. I really liked the 11/40 set up, but it seemed as if the 11 was just a tad small from the way the chain fit it. This combo gave a final drive ratio of about 3.66 to 1. By going to the 12/42 it is very close to the same ratio.(3.58). This brings first gear down and makes it much more managable on trails, etc, with out having to slip the clutch as much. I have not had the clutch fade since going to the 11/40 or 12/42. The gear spacing between 2-5 is perfect. You lose some top end of course but I never ride where there is much need for the stock 4th & 5th gear. On our web site (Raptor Riders of North Texas, I have a link to a gear ratio chart with the different combos you can have with the front and rear sprocket. See link below to our site.

 

I had the same problem on my warrior and bearings went bad and made it hard to get apart, so after replacing bearings and apart i thought why not drill hole in center carrier and install a grease fitting and pump it full of grease so i did, seamed to work did not have the bike long enought to find out if it worked bought a raptor and might do the same thing to it.

 

The bearings are enclosed inside a steel tube, with seals on each end. This fits between the side plates on the rear of the swing arm. The side plates have nothing to do with sealing out dirt and water. I believe the water you saw running out when you adjusted the chain was simply trapped between the side plates and did not come from within the bearing carrier, so you shouldn't have to worry.

 

RoadKillJoe,
Thanks for the info. As you can see, I got a couple of different responses. I think, for the time being at least, I will just leave it alone and see what happens in the near future.
I noticed that you have an Armadillo rack. Would you share where you got it? Was it from someone that has a web site? I would like to see one. Thanks again.

 

Raptorrider,
Chris, Rex and I will be heading west for the dunes the 12th for the long weekend. We will be staying until Monday. I have seen you talking about going to LS so I just wanted to let you know you are more than welcome to join us if you want as well as any other North Texas Riders. Give me a call if you want to talk about it.

 

Raptorrider2001,

I ordered the Armadillo Out-N-Back Rack, my tires, and the DynoJet kit from Rocky Mountain ATV (www.rockymountainatv.com). Really great people to deal with. I've ordered lots of stuff from them over the years and their catalog just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

James Lucky ATV Products (www.jlatvproducts.com) also gave me prompt service on the Fastline brake lines. Their website is not quite up to speed but I'm sure it will get there.

Best of luck,