--- title: "10 Tips and Tricks" description: "Swingarm Bearing Swap" date: "2007-02-12" modified: "2021-04-20" authors: - name: "Cassandra" link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/cassandra/" url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/atvs/photo-gallery/2009/02/issue-10-tips-and-tricks/" categories: - "ATVs" - "Gear" --- # 10 Tips and Tricks ![]() *Cassandra* **Swingarm Bearing Swap** Changing swingarm pivot bearings on some swingarms is a piece of cake--you can just push them through using a socket, a vice, and a larger socket. Some bearings break up and need to come back out the way they were pressed in. This is common when the cross tube is solid (goes all the way across the front of the arm). You can try using a large punch or shaft to tap it out, but if it's frozen or rusted in place, take a Dremel tool and split the bearing by grinding across the face of the shield of the bearing with a cutoff wheel or a grinding bit. Then it should fall right out. **Leaky Valves** This is a simple way to see if the valves are sealing on your quad's four-stroke head. Take the head off the engine (with the valves assembled), hold the head sideways and fill the intake port with water or solvent. If you see any water leaking past the valves, you have a problem that needs to be dealt with by a professional mechanic. Then flip it over and try the exhaust side. **Free Tie Rods** For those of you who regularly align your quad's front end, here's a simple trick that will make your life much easier. Put "Never Seize compound on the threads of your tie-rod ends. The "Never Seize compound helps prevent the rod and rod end from getting locked up tight and it makes it much easier to realign the front end in the future. **Silicone Just Can't Hang** Don't put silicone sealant on your four-stroke pipes to seal them. Silicone can't handle the heat a four-stroke pipe produces and it will break down quickly and all you'll have is a leaky exhaust. Most four-stroke pipes will expand properly and bind together after they have been run for a while. Once the header and rear exhaust binds, it will stop leaking. **Lube It Up** Professional mechanics use assembly lube when putting together an engine, and you should do the same. We talked with the guys at CT Racing--they use a lube called Entech that can be found in many NASCAR shops, and you can probably persuade them to sell you a four-ounce bottle that will do a ton of motors. There are many other manufacturers that make something similar--Torco has a lube, as does Klotz. The key is get some and use it liberally; don't just put lube on a new cam; use it on all of the moving parts that are wear items when assembling the engine or top end. **Run It Then Clean It** If you pressure wash your quad, it is best to start it up and ride it around to get everything up to running temperature first. This helps cut down on the buildup of condensation and moisture that may cause problems in the future. On two-strokes, it's a good idea to remove the ignition cover after pressure washing to make sure no water has been blown in. We've seen lots of ruined flywheels and stators that have been turned into orange balls of rust from pressure washing and then leaving it. **Quick Clip Fix** Keihin PWK carbs are prone to breaking the needle C-clips. This can be devastating if you're on a long ride! Buy a spare and tape it somewhere on your quad in case of an emergency. We know you're actually not going to bother to do it, but we just wanted to be able to say, "I told you so! **Locked-Up Clutch** Most performance quads are now coming with quick-change clutch covers. This makes it easy to do the following emergency clutch repair if you're out on the trail or endurance racing and you smoke your clutch. First, flip the quad on its side and pop the cover off. Slightly bend some of your metal plates and then bolt it back together. The clutch won't work, but it will be locked up so you can ride it back in, and this sure beats a long tow or a night of unprepared camping. **Play It Safe** We always like to play it safe, so here's a tip that you y not have thought of. Many off-road race organizations such as SCORE International ask for your blood type and if you have medical allergies, and then put the information on a sticker and place it on the back of your helmet. Even if you're not racing, this is a good idea. In case of an accident, your information will be ready for rescue personnel and may save your life! If you have no known medical allergies, post that on the back of your helmet, as well. Also, put an emergency contact phone number on there…just in case. ## FAQ