I have a 99 honda 400ex and I was wondering if I should replace the rear axle bearings. I jacked up the rear end and the axle has a little play but not a lot. Should I replace the bearings just because they are old? Is a little play in the axle normal?

Thanks
HondaFan2010

 

I have an 00, and after 7 years of hard riding, mine recently needed to be replaced. Definitely do it, before you have to! I let mine go, and it also ruined the bearing carrier. Ending up costing me big $$$$.

Consider it to be preventitive maintenance........

 

Could it be the swing arm bolt and bearings are worn? Put it back up and grab the swing arm and see if there is play there.

 

Thanks for the info, I will definatly change them soon. Did you change them yourself and if you did was it very hard? I have replaced and packed wheel bearings on a trailer......is it about the same?

 

The swing arm bearing and pin are easy as long as they are not rusted. Sometimes a mallet helps [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]. As for teh axel, I have an after market with a zerk on it and keep it well juiced up.

 

I had to replace mine after 2 years but then again it was wrecked twice