jiminok: What maintenance steps can be applied to lengthen the life of the bearings? What needs to be checked or adjusted? TIA!

 

TheOz...if you are meaning the axle bearings like it think you are...keeping your chain properly adjusted will play a small role but the probly the most important is the is the big aluminum thing that's next to your rear brake--i think it's referred to as the "axle adjusting nut"...it's used to preload the bearings when they are freshly installed...if it gets loose enough that you have play side to side your bearing won't survive too much longer and by the same token too tight will heat your bearings up and possibly ruin everything inside the carrier and potentially the axle itself. With your quad elevate check for the even slightest movement to make sure its tight. Now spin your wheels if they don't spin freely then its too tight. When your quads on the ground in nuetral roll it back and forth and listen for crunching sounds...if you hear some nasty sounds coming from the axle area your bearings are shot.

The only other thing to extend their life is to regularly regrease...depending on how much water you ride thru and how agressive you and the terrain you ride are. For me once a year is probably okay since I don't ride that often or thru much water and on the agressive scale I'm about a 5...

EDIT: just noticed you have an 04' and I know they changed the adjusting nut and it's no longer "the big aluminum thing" LOL--same adjusting principles apply tho!

 

Jim In Ok: Thanks for the tips. I'd prefer to maintain as properly as possible to avoid future expenses due to improper maintenance.

 

me2...