I was wanting any info on a swingarm upgrade for the LT-Z400. The stock one is bulky and some what out dated. Any leads on how to get info on an after market setup is greatly apreciated. I was wanting a setup about like the R450. Thanks and good 4 wheelin'  

what year is your ltz?  

It is a 2008. Wolf1, The sprocket and air filter made a big difference. Thanks for the info on that. I do not see the reason behind the square set up on the swingarm. It does not look like the strongest setup. Also a pain to adjust. Well, let me know what you find out.  

glad the sprocket and air filter helped.
did you get a significant improvement with the front sprocket? you should have seen a really nice improvement.

there are swingarms available on the aftermarket,
but they are really expensive.
jd sells one for $790.00


I am very familiar with that particular swingarm.
but the only repairs i have had to make to them for my customers is replacing axle bearings and or replacing the axle.
although i haven't had to replace any on the 2008 models.

the model years 2003-2005 had a weaker axle and it would bend fairly easily. in the beginning years it was only a few axles bent, so suzuki didn't see it as a defect until mid 2004-2005.

So suzuki went ahead and replaced the weaker axles with larger diameter, stronger axles.
I haven't seen a broken swingarm yet.

I used to own an ltz400, i put a "durablue" axle on it.
now.. when I ride it's usually pretty hard, and pretty darn rough on the atv.
(nursing pulled muscles and swollen elbow in my right arm from yesterdays' ride. I think was the extreme air i was getting and the fact that i have the factory shocks on my blaster, they bottomed out alot.)

but i never had a problem with my ltz's swingarm. but do put a skid plate on it.

the square design on the ltz is a good one. it's aluminum, lightweight, but the square axle housing helps to support it.

what i would be concerned with is the axle bearings themselves. buy an extra set, they are pretty cheap.
you'll have to take the swingarm off and have someone press the axle housing out of it for you if you need to replace the bearings.

but yeah i would run the factory swingarm with a skid plate.
I don't think you'll ever have a problem with it  

I will stick with the stock setup, But what is the best way to adjust the chain on the stock swingarm. I know you loosen the four main bolt, But the adjusting bolt seems like it wants to get the rear end cocked a little. Whats the secret?? Thanks, Jim  

Use a yard stick, you are right it wants to *** it to one side.
but you are gonna have to make sure it stays in line with the front sprocket.

and it's easier to do this if you jack it up off the ground.

just place your jack where the swing arm bolts. not on the swingarm. and keep in mind that it will tighten a little when you put it back on the ground

or jack it up and put it on some crates while you adjust it.  

Where exactly do I use the yardstick?? I know very little on quads.    

I have 2003 Z400.  My singarm will no long hold the axel inplace.  I broke off one adjusting bolt and had that rplaced.  Now, my chain will be incredibly loose with in a quarter mile of tighting it.  I cannot see any other broken pieces and have no idea what to do other than buy a new sing arm.  Has anyone heard of this problem?  

the yardstick goes against the chain from rear sprocket to front sprocket, and you sight along it looking to see it the chain is pferfectly straight from fornt to rear.  

ok sounds like the axle bearings may be worn out.

or possibly the chain is stretched and it's time for a new one. but the chain normally doesn't stretch as far out as you are describing.

To check the axle bearings; jack the atv off the ground and grab both rear wheels and pull one wheel toward the rear and push the other toward the front.
see if it moves back and forth this way. if it moves, then the axle bearings are shot or possibly the smingarm bushings.  

just look to see where it is moving.(at the pivot bolt or at the axle)

the stock axle bearings are bad about wearing out.

I reccommend that you not buy stock replacement axle bearings.

The aftermarket like "Dura Blue" offers are so much stronger and heavier.

and fairly inexpensive.

 Now i'll go aherad and tell you how to remove the axle.

it's a pain in the butt because suzuki uses a product called "suzuki bond" to mount the rear sprocket to the axle.

you'll have to remove the wheel and the axle nuts and then with the sprocket still bolted onto the sprocket hub, use a long steel bar approxiamtely 1/2 - 3/4 inches in diameter and a hammer, carefully hit the sprocket close to the hub but not on the hub, as the hub will break.
 Turn the wheel and hit the part of the sprocket closest to the axle, keep turning and hitting until you are so frustrated that you no longer care anymore and that's about the time it decides to let go.


once you have the sprocket off the axle comes out to the right of the atv.  

maybe u arent tightening the bolts tight enough... just a thought