Honda XR 400 Front Wheel Removal

[briannnew]

Hello XR fans. I have just bought a XR400 and been going through some maintenance stuff. Nearly finished the project, when is was pointed out to that the headstock bearings may need replacing. Have purchased these and was in the process of removing the front wheel when I came across a problem. In the Haynes manual is says ‘remove the four left hand nuts holding the clamp on the spindle, remove the right hand clamp completely, then undo the spindle using hex end on the right hand side of the spindle.’

Those who know the bike will realise that the outer casing of the spindle on the left hand on the wheel just spins in the recess of the bottom slider?? It would much more logical the tighten up the clamp on the left hand side to give some purchase, then undo the spindle, which I assume will release it from the outer casing, and thus releasing the wheel. I have tried this, but having exerted as much pressure as I dare, nothing moved. I can only assume that if this is the correct procedure, then the spindle is corroded into the outer casing on the left hand side?

Can anyone with experience of this problem please advise.

Brian - Bournemouth

[dirtjunky]

the way i done it was to take off both clamps pull the wheel spray wd into the threads and clamp it in a vice to get the spindle free,mine would not budge any other way, also if you aint done it already take the swing arm spindle out and pack it with grease there notorious for siezing solid

[briannnew]

Dirtjunky. Thanks for the reply. It does put my mind at rest about using some muscle on this. I have already sheared off various bolts on the frame and had to re thread them! Did you also heat up the surrounding area before applying pressure? I am assuming it will help in these circumstances. I have also written to Haynes and suggested that the manual on the XR400 should be classified as fiction…….

[dirtjunky]

hi brian,no i never used heat on mine the vice and plenty of wd40 worked a treat

[matt1234]

hi had same prob spray loads releasing oil down the shaft put it back in the clamps leave speedo side loose and put a socket and bar on it