... in need.. please help!
i have a 400ex and to tighten the chain, in the back is that "disc shaped" metal plate thing, w/ two slots in it. You have to losen the 4 bolts and stick something in one of the 2 slots and pull it back so that it's tight. well my "upper" slot is in line w/ the "line" marked next to the "disc shaped thing" does this mean STOP or what? cuz they are dead even now, and i heard some WIERD noises coming from the rear end ever since i tightened it to this point, so should i take a link or two out so the two lines arnt even any more? the noise is like a grinding of 2 metals and it happens excessivily when i'm on corners, but will also happen on the straight-aways
HELP ME PLEASE.
thanks.

 

You might have your chain set too tight. It's hard to know without being there to look at the chain tensioner. My lines don't match up. You should have like 1 5/8 inches of play in your chain. I think that's the right number. Sorry I couldn't be of more help

 

It doesn't matter where you run the chain adjuster. Turn it until the chain is the proper tension. On older machines, when you turned it too far, it went over center and just started getting looser. I think the 400ex has a stop to prevent this but I'm not sure.

You shouldn't ever need to take a link out. If your chain is that stretched, it's time for a new one.

The griding might be your axle bearings, particularly if you ride in mud/water. Stand up on the footpegs and slowly lean your weight back and forth while someone watches the rear of the swingarm. If they can see the sprocket or brake disc moving relative to the swingarm, you need new bearings.

 

make sure that when you adjust your chain, someone is on the atv. if you don't, it ain't set correctly.

 

sweet,
thanks guys.

i'll check the axle bearings, and the tension of it. i dont think it's to tight but i'll double check.

 

the grinding is probably your brake rotor hitting the skid plate check the bottom of it

 

but it only happens sometimes.... like for instance on corners is where it primarily happens. ---i checked the oil to see if maybe it was gears grinding or something.... and my oil was pretty low, at hte bottom of the dip-stick, so i dded some and sorta stopped and now mainly happens on corners.

 

After you run for a bit, be sure to check your oil again. If the motor was low, it'll take some from the tank and make the tank low again.

 

ok found the prob. and fixed it ----- low motor oil *not causing the noise or anything, just found that it was low oil.... .. but the main problem with the grinding and such was the rear axle bearings.... appreciate it .. who ever told me to check them, there wsnt even a dust seal left never mind the bearrings..... nothing everything was shot. only a few littel bearrings left