I see where you thought I might be loosening the axle nuts...

That is a seperate problem. Besides not being able to adjust the chain. I can hear a grinding, almost like a roller from the bearing is getting caught up in soemthing...

I did spray the nuts, in anticipation that I may have to remove them....

 

plus the caliper bolts

 

remove the bolts completley from both the swingarm and the caliper and bend the carrier tabs a little the aluminum carrier likes to get corroded and oxidized and it freezes in place. remove the sprocket side hub,axle nut ,sprocket holder, and sprocket leave the brake side intact and slide the carrier/axle as a unit out the left side of the swingarm (brake caliper side)
its much easier to change the carrier bearings with everything on the bench

 

That all sounds right then, I use a large channel lock on the carrier. Spray it down well with some penetrating oil and giver again, as far as the axle nuts they are a pain on scramblers.