Chain Slider Causing Swingarm Wear!

[i_wheelie_longer]

I noticed that my chain slider is causing my swingarm to wear on my 06yz450f. It seems as though there is too much play where the bolt holes are, which allows the chain slide to move forward and backwards and eventually cause significant wear in the swingarm. Before people tell me to do a search, I want to let you know I did, but I want to see if anybody has any pictures to solutions they made to help correct or prevent additional wear.

[426 NOOB]

there are two fixes. a $100 slider from tm designworks and a method that Grayracer made below, and it has pics.

http://members.cox.net/oldernyzer/wearplate.htm

[cbrewer450]

And the above method works great. It was happening on my 03 450, bad.. I cut out a piece of metal to the same shape and put it under the slider.. no more rubbing and wear..

Thanks to Gray again for that killer posting...

[i_wheelie_longer]

Thanks! I will work on this tonight.

[PAdaytonaman]

Go for the TM design product. Get the slider that wraps around the swingarm. It does require removal of the swinger to install, but its a good opportunity to grease up the bearings anyway.

In addition, with the TM product, you can run the chain a bit tighter. Remove shock and put the suspension through its stroke and tighten the chain up so that you still have a bit (1/4 ") of play at its tightest point and then measure and keep your chain tensioned properly.

They did a bunch of tests with chain tension and found some surprisiing benefits. One of which is less chain slider wear and better suspension performance. Call them to get the specifics, but I've been running it for the summer and its been a great product.

[grayracer513]

In addition, with the TM product, you can run the chain a bit tighter. Remove shock and put the suspension through its stroke and tighten the chain up so that you still have a bit (1/4 ") of play at its tightest point and then measure and keep your chain tensioned properly.

They did a bunch of tests with chain tension and found some surprisiing benefits. One of which is less chain slider wear and better suspension performance. Call them to get the specifics, but I've been running it for the summer and its been a great product.

TM wants $100+ for their sliders, I'm not surprised they came up with a "rationale" to justify it.

In the first place, there is nothing about the product that will affect how tight or loose the chain can be run.

Secondly, it is a long time industrial standard that a roller chain should be run with a minimum of 1/4" of slack per running foot of chain, which is closer to 1/2" for a YZF. The minimum slack measurement and method shown in the manual is based on this minimum, and the chain should never be set tighter for any reason.

There is no benefit to rear suspension operation to running the chain tighter, and while it may well reduce wear on the slider, it will increase wear and stress on the chain, sprockets, rear hub and wheel bearings, output shaft and bearings, and the crankcases.

What it does for them is it makes their sliders a little quieter, and the noise they make is the primary compliant about them.

[Aka.Goose]

I've been running the TM slider, with the xring Regina chain, Tag sprockets...

Still give it the recommended slack...

I often get guys telling me my chain is too loose...But i call BS on that...

I set it up using the clamp/steel rod method, and am amazed at how little wear there has been on both the sprocket and chain, and no adjustments to the blocks have been necessary, no stretching whatsoever...and yes I've been riding it hard and in the sand...

Also, I don't have an issue with noise, doesn't seem any louder than stock...The TM slider has a foam pad underneath (between the swingarm and slider) that I don't think was there on the earlier models when they got all the noise complaints...

[SparksXR426]

I noticed that my chain slider is causing my swingarm to wear on my 06yz450f. It seems as though there is too much play where the bolt holes are, which allows the chain slide to move forward and backwards and eventually cause significant wear in the swingarm. Before people tell me to do a search, I want to let you know I did, but I want to see if anybody has any pictures to solutions they made to help correct or prevent additional wear.

Alright, I know somebody is going to say its Mickey Mouse but I dont care, it has worked on my bike for about 25 hrs so far. Clean between the slider and swingarm well, rough it up a little with emory cloth and put a bit of good quality silicone in there. Snug it down with zap straps or something while it sets and problem solved. I get pretty heavy chain slap on mine when the chain gets on the loose end of spec but that slider still stuck down.

[justbackitin]

Just a thick bead of silicon on a clean swing arm. Let it cure for an hour or so then bolt the slider down on top of the silicon. The silicon keeps and grit from getting between the slider and swingarm and acts as a cushion to eliminate any chain slap noise. Has worked for years on both my bikes.

[Numba68]

Just a thick bead of silicon on a clean swing arm. Let it cure for an hour or so then bolt the slider down on top of the silicon. The silicon keeps and grit from getting between the slider and swingarm and acts as a cushion to eliminate any chain slap noise. Has worked for years on both my bikes.

Ditto, This is the same method I use.

[AZcrRider]

I noticed that my chain slider is causing my swingarm to wear on my 06yz450f. It seems as though there is too much play where the bolt holes are, which allows the chain slide to move forward and backwards and eventually cause significant wear in the swingarm. Before people tell me to do a search, I want to let you know I did, but I want to see if anybody has any pictures to solutions they made to help correct or prevent additional wear.

I noticed this on my 07 as well.

I just cleaned real well under the slider, and cut some background graphic material ( about 1" x 4"), and put a double layer down in that area. It works fine, but needs replaced every once in a while.

That silicone method, and the metal piece seem like real good remedies as well.

[rdefonce]

I noticed this on my 07 as well.

I just cleaned real well under the slider, and cut some background graphic material ( about 1" x 4"), and put a double layer down in that area. It works fine, but needs replaced every once in a while.

That silicone method, and the metal piece seem like real good remedies as well.

All those are good solutions.

I need to do one of those more permanent solutions soon but in the mean time, I found that window or door insulation (with sticky backing) works OK.

I just keep a roll of it in my toolbox; it's easy to replace if the old stuff gets squeezed out.

[rcmx67]

I cleaned the swingarm and cut some heavy-duty velcro strips and stuck them to the swingarm under the slider (fuzzy side of velcro). It's really really quiet now and the slider has a soft surface to contact.

I really can't hear any chain slap. We'll see how long it lasts. The velco is really thick - industrial strength stuff.

[Ardent]

Silicone gets my vote also. Just use a silicone gun (or something similar) and push loads of silicone under the slider when it is in place. Then clamp it down on a few different places and dry it over night. Excess can later easily be cut away with a knife.

This will stop movement of the slider completely which is the cause of the wear of the swingarm.

[nathanpa01]

+1 on the Silicone. If the slider doesn't move, there willbe no wear. Black RTV blends nicely.

[tech24]

I've noticed on the 2010 there is a pad under the slider. Not sure if previous years have this but it seems to be working as far as swingarm wear. It also looks like it will fit previous years not sure but swingarm may be the same. Just a thought, not sure what OEM costs but if its affordable could be an easy solution.