KTM LC4 (640) Thread Index

[gunnerbuck]

Originally Posted by dolphins13

Anyone ever have an adjuster screw (for chain tension) freeze up? It is basically just a screw going into threads. How can it be froze up? No outter signs of rust? I tried heating it up. Am I missing something simple here? Any help would be much appreciated?

I have used a bit of heat on the swing arm around the adjuster to expand it, then coat the bolt threads with oil and work it back and forth ... Once it frees up then coat the threads with grease and repeat coat it every once in a while...

[bmwktmbill]

Do you have one of the old manual hammer impact drivers.

I'd do everything recommended so far and then try some impact and prayer to the gods of small things.

This:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver

I'd use propane for heat first before something else...?

bill

[Aussie Steve]

Originally Posted by dolphins13

Anyone ever have an adjuster screw (for chain tension) freeze up? It is basically just a screw going into threads. How can it be froze up? No outter signs of rust? I tried heating it up. Am I missing something simple here? Any help would be much appreciated?

The swingarm fills up with water which cant escape and the adjuster screw rusts. Can be helped with very small holes to drain and prevented with regular greasing of the screws.

[warewolf]

Originally Posted by dolphins13

Anyone ever have an adjuster screw (for chain tension) freeze up? It is basically just a screw going into threads.

Yep, known issue. For the last 5 or 6 years KTM have put big plastic plugs in the SX/EXC swingarms to help them dry out.

I've freed mine up sometimes, and have stuffed the thread on one or two bolts early on. Try flooding the inside with wd40 or crc556 or something, put the bent straw through the chain guard screw holes to spray the end of the bolt.

As has been mentioned, they get wet inside and rust, and then when you screw the bolt out to take up the slack in the wearing chain, you draw the rusty end of the bolt into the captive thread. If you force this, it will end in tears. Instead, screw them in as much as you can, spray/soak with penetrant, and then ease them out. Remove the axle so you can get a good socket on the end, rather than a spanner; it helps to hit it with a better connection.

Once you get it sorted, dry it out, spray with crc/wd again, and then seal up all the holes in the swingarm with silicone (screw the chain guard back on through the silicone before it sets). I haven't had a problem since doing this.

[dolphins13]

thx for the good advice people. So I will heat, lube, beat, twist, jerk. Then I will work on the bike. I figure I will end up cutting it off and drilling the rest out. So aggravating when all you wanna do is adjust chain.

[laramie LC4]

i would also take a small drill bit and drill a drain hole on the bottom of your swing arm so that if you do get any water inside it can easily drain out and not cause more problems. i did this when i got my bike new, then added the anti-seize and have never had a problem with them.

good luck with those bolts.

laramie

[dirty_sanchez]

Team-

We don't want to use a Copper Anti-Seize on those axle adjusters. Copper and Aluminum don't play well together.

Dirty

[mgorman]

Originally Posted by dirty_sanchez

Team-

We don't want to use a Copper Anti-Seize on those axle adjusters. Copper and Aluminum don't play well together.

Dirty

Now you tell me!! I guess I've been lucky, so far they keep coming out. I have another can of marine grade, I'll make sure to start using that instead


Thanks

[dolphins13]

Originally Posted by bmwktmbill

Do you have one of the old manual hammer impact drivers.

I'd do everything recommended so far and then try some impact and prayer to the gods of small things.

This:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver

I'd use propane for heat first before something else...?

bill

Actually went to 2 stores to find an old style hammer impact driver. They looked at me like I was nuts. Used my old one all the time. I like the idea of drain holes. I cant believe I never had this problem before.

[Droptarotter]

I drilled a 1/8 drain hole in my swingarm today...........got about 100cc's of water out of it.
I remember when I drilled the swingarm on my 520.......there was tons of water in there, but that bike had been through quite a few water holes!

Thanks for the reminder Laramie!

Cheers

[dirty_sanchez]

Originally Posted by mgorman

Now you tell me!! I guess I've been lucky, so far they keep coming out. I have another can of marine grade, I'll make sure to start using that instead


Thanks

Marine Grade or a Heavy Duty Anti-Seize are the two I use....just stay away from that copper.

Dirty

[bmwktmbill]

Now I know for sure I've lived a charmed life.

Merry Christmas all.
bill

[mgorman]

[skibum69]

Meeryxmas folks, thanks for the tip on the drain holes, my swingarm is probably full

[Lortdadu]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!