i put new hub bearings in on the rebuild. and today for some reason i decided to wiggle the front tires and noticed some play when i grabbed the top and bottom and wiggled them. are they suppose to have some play? the knuckle spline looks in good shape. both sides do it one side a little worse than the other. in the clymer they say some axial play is normal? what is that? i also checked torque on the hubs and there right on target.

the only other thing i did was use generic bearings for the hubs not true honda ones but at the shop they told me to use these and save some money. and now that i have $6000.00 total into it i am starting to wish i just bought a brand new 400EX [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
any help is appreciated.

 

still need help

 

Join the club on the 250R rebuilds! I just got mine all set the way I want (and close to 8 grand) when I lost the drain plug in a race and ruined my tranny. Even with that, in my opinion, I am still happy that I did not get a 400EX.

From what I understand, all bearings are basically the same. When replacing the lower end bearings I plan to go to a "bearing only" store and match them up. Honda bearings are the same bearings in a "Honda" package.

When you purchased the bearings did the place match the numbers or just eyeball the size? If the numbers are the same then you have the same bearings and that should not be the problem. If the numbers do not match, you have the wrong ones.

Is the movement coming from the hubs/bearings or the ball joints? At the track watching tech inspection I have noticed that front wheel play is usually a result of the ball joints rather than the hub.

If the ball joints are tight (not just in torque but free play) than your spindle may be worn. Not grooved or hacked up, but just worn to the point where the bearings have some play.

 

when i grab the top and bottom of the tire it wiggles a little. when i grab the right and left of the tire it dosnt. so i am assuming wheel bearings spline probs. or maybe its suppose to be like that? i need to wiggle a 400EX next time i get to the shop. im wishing i just bought a new 400EX now [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] and widened that. i just like working on 2 strokes because its easier to me.

i have $6000.00 into mine and if i could get $5000.00 i would sell it for a new EX. it runs great i guess im in the debugging stage hehehehe.
all i need to make it great is new back rims and tires to match the front, ac pro peg nerfs,and a belly skid. she still moves out with the best of them thou [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

i took i ride out to check out a brand new 400EX and they have a little play also. just a little less than me so i guess i got nothing to worry about [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

When you grab the tire on top and bottom and wiggle it, are you sure it's not the loose upper and lower ball joints? My '89 250r was the same way on what you're describing.

 

i have brand new extended a arms with new ball joints. but thanks for the help

 

I can tell you that my '88 250R does not have any play at all when wiggling the tires from top-to-bottom or from side-to-side. I fully rebuilt every single bearing and bushing on this quad 5 years ago and it still has no play. The most common reason I have seen for play when wiggling from top-to-bottom is in the a-arm bushings, but you have new a-arms so that's not likely.

I know what you mean about wondering if you should have just bought a 400EX instead. I have been through many headaches in the past 5 years while working on mine. But I somehow gain satisfaction from "tinkering" and would never trade mine for a 400EX. I have over $8,000 in mine and the only question running in my mind is should I continue to put money into a quad with a 13 year old frame and 15 year old motor? I think I hear the new Cannondale Moto 440 calling my name!

 

do you know why the clymer manual says you have some axile play in there? what do they mean by that?