This is weird, I have the snapping noise but when I jacked up the machine I couldn't move the axel at all as far as laterally or anything that does not appear normal. I removed that little bolt between the two allen bolts that tighten the chain and shot some grease up in the hole with a pnumatic grease gun. When I took it for a test ride I chould still hear the noise. But I'm telling you no bad axle movement that I could detect. Should I just keep riding it until it goes or should I just replace? I have friends that have had or have 300's and all of them have had to replace their bearings. One even had to replace the hole rear assembly, axle, carriar, This stinks!!

 

I also have that noise on my sons machine.. I think I have localized it to the rear shock. Took off the shock and noise went away. Just dont want to spend for a new shock if its not the problem. Check to see if the bang noise stops