My right rear upper (got that?)A-arm bearing is loose. The bearing is held in place by two "C" clips, just like a piston wrist pin. I pulled it apart to change the bearing and discovered the C-clip grooves that hold the bearing in place are about .75 mm too far apart. This causes the bearing to slide back and forth in the holder. This is a manufacturing flaw in the holder itself. I took it into the dealer today. They tried calling Honda and, of course, Honda is giving them the run-around. The whole A-arm will have to be replaced (what I want) that is the only way I can see to fix it. A shim will really be hokey. The problem will only get worse as the hardened bearing wears further into the A-arm bearing holder.
If your A-arms move Lateraly (front to back) at the mounting bolt. You should check it right away. Mine is way out of warranty, but hopefully Honda will come through and resolve it. If you are in warranty, maybe it won't be such a hassle for you as it is for me, so far... Don't let the dealer simply replace the bearing, this WILL NOT solve the problem. Especially if the bearing has worn the holder out, it will keep wearing deeper and deeper. The flaw is in the A-arm itself. I know of one other person in my area that has this problem, so others are quite possible.



[This message has been edited by philzie (edited 07-19-1999).]

 

I also have had to replace all A-arm bearings, upper and lower. The local Honda dealer was clueless and I also called the Honda Tech people in CA. They also were clueless. I replaced all the bearings and the local dealer cut the price to $16 each, still with 8 bearings it got expensive and I was one month past the warranty period. I had only ridden it 5 times.

Please keep us updated on this. I bought mine in Sept of 98. One of the first ones out. I wonder if this has been addressed in the 2000 models. If Honda is anything like Cheverolet, we will get the run around until we are too tired to care anymore. (Who out there has a Suburban or Tahoe with the driver seat base loose?)

 

Hey its me again. I'm getting my y2k in September i'll let you know about this when i get ok.

 

Uh oh, now you're scaring me. There's been a funny "clicking" sound coming out of my front end (actially the quads front end) that I can hear when I'm working on my bike. I havn't been able to track it down. Does this sound familiar?

------------------
TRXter

400EX

 

I had a squeak that was noticeable when turning tight at slow speed on bumpy ground.

Also heard it while going slow and straight on washboard type ground.

 

I talked to my dealer and they ordered a new A-arm. It is supposed to be here next tuesday. He said he had to compare them (as if the bearing sliding back and forth in the holder isn't proof enough) Anyway, I am hoping I get the new A-arm. Those of you who have had the A-arms apart know how wimpy the bearings are. They are just a small hiem (sp?) joint. But, even after 9 months, my bearings are still in great condition, it is just the one holder that is faulty.
I think the squeaking you hear is coming from the shock. Every so often I hear a squeak coming from there, and I think ave it narrowed down to the front shock.
Also, I noticed some squeaks coming from the rear of the machine. One is the muffler. What I did to fix that was: Remove the rearmost muffler mount, and flip it over so the L tab fits in between the "Y" of the subframe tubes, near the grab bar. I think it was rocking back and forth on the subframe before and this wedges it in there so it can't move. No more squeak for me.
The other squeak seems to be the chain on the slider. I use silicone spray on my chain, this may be contributing to the squeak. I have grown to notice the squeak less, but my friends notice it and comment and that kinda bugs me.

[This message has been edited by philzie (edited 07-22-1999).]

 

Philize, I noticed the same squeak on the front shocks. Its coming from between the spring and plastic shaft protector. Also getting squeaks form where the shocks mount to the a arm.
It hasn’t rained in two months and everything is so dry.
Try Honda chain lube works great and dosent pick up dirt.

 

Well, I have been calling the dealer every day, still no A-arm. I am not too worried yet, I know how hard it is to stand behind a product in this day and age.
Does the Honda dealer actually have to spend any money on warranty parts, or does the factory cover everyting 100%? I am doing all the work. All they need to do is get the new part...
I also noticed the right lower shock mount is a little loose. I know of one other 400EX with the same problem. Except he did ask about it and the dealer said "wear-able parts are not covered by the warranty"?!? Whatever... I am not too worried about the shock because it is a part that wears out. The A-arm problem I am dealing with is a factory machining defect, so that bugs me.
I haven't quite beat my $5600 out of this thing yet, but I am working on it! I really did think it would last longer before I started having trouble with it tho. Luckily it is nothing serious!

phil

[This message has been edited by philzie (edited 07-29-1999).]

 

Well, so far the bearings are tighter than tight. I've beat the tar out of this thing over some pretty bad terrain and there is no movement at all. Maybee the 2000's are updated due to past problems or there's just not enough time on it yet.

On a bad note, I took a bad roll on a nasty hillclimb and trashed both front rims. I tweeked the subframe under the seat a bit and it won't bend back. Should have took TRXtr's advise on the breakin period! She still proves to be durable otherwise...hafta slow down a bit!

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Steve Small, 00' 400ex, 00' 325 Trail Boss for the Mrs.

 

Yep! You gotta take it easy for a while when you first get it. You don't realize how fast you are going until it is too late.

I got my BRAND NEW A-arm today, complete with new bearings, seals, and bushings. I am soooo happy! I put it on and went for a beat this evening. Felt great, I haven't ridden the beast for 2 weeks!

HONDA RULES!!!

phil

Public thanks to:

Jake at Rays Sport and Cycle of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. For being super cool about this whole thing!