I happened to notice today that the axle nut on the disc brake side on my 400ex is about 1/2 inch away from the disc. I can see threads there and it looks like it should be loose but it is as tight as can be. I couldn't move it with a pipe wrench. It also looks like there is a clip holding the nut out that far. The manual doesn't tell me **** and I can't remember what it looked like before (sometimes I don't pay attention to details). Is it supposed to be out that far and not flush with the disc, or has mine vibrated out and locked itself at the end of the threads?

 

Nevermind. Went to the dealer to look at new 400ex's and it is exactly like mine. It's just a different setup than I am used to seeing. Doesn't seem like the nut does anything but oh well.

 

I just noticed mine is about 1/2 inch away from the brake disk also so this is normal? i tried very hard and couldnt get mine to move either. any other 400ex owners out there is yours the same way?

 

It is normal. Those threads you are looking at are not part of the axle. They are on a sleeve that rides on the axle. There is a c-clip around the axle that you can't see since part of the larger nut is covering it. When you tighten the larger nut against this c-clip, the sleeve pushes against the brake rotor holder thus tightening the axle and the brake rotor holder. The smaller nut is the locknut. You do need it.

/Jon