09 FE450 Rear Shock Joint

BJM · Apr 23, 2013

Hi all. This is my first post on this forum and I am after some advice that will hopefully put my mind at ease. I have just purchased a second hand 09 FE450 that only has 2200 kms / 73 hrs on the speedo. It looked well maintained and clean but there are a couple of things that have me doubting these are the correct speedo readings. The main thing is the lower joint in the rear shock has a fair bit of play in it to the point that you can hear it clunk when you lift the bike. I am the third owner and the guy I bought it off rode a lot in an area that is renowned for mud and is also sandy in places. Neerim Sth for those in Australia. A couple of other things is a fair bit of wear on the RHS engine cover ( the brake lever is fairly close so I would expect this) and the brake disks are fairly worn. I dont know if they are the original discs but they do have KTM stamped in to them. Again in the conditions the previouse owner was riding in I would expext the discs to be worn. I was more concerned about the rear shock joint. I have a mate with a WR450 that has done a lot more Kms and he hasnt touched the shock or swingarm bearings. Can someone put my mind at ease that I havent been stiched up. All its life has been spent in the bush. Never road registered.

I guess what I am asking is it normal practice to be replacing the shocker mount joints at this sought of hours on a Husaberg.

I have'nt been for a ride on the Berg yet. Just come off an XR400. Cant wait to get out in the scrub.

fe390vt · Apr 23, 2013

I've had to replace the helm joint as well. I believe it was my own fault as you need to tighten this bolt to torque spec of something like 70 lbs. If you don't , you will feel play(knocking noise)in the joint. As far as the discs go, if you wear out your pads during 1 ride then the discs will quickly start to get eaten away by metal. The bike may or may not have 70hrs on it, as it is very easy to unplug the computer and replug it in later. Sounds like the guy who owns it didn't take much time to care for the bike.... maybe listen for rattling and vibration in the timing chain, if the bike is older than stated , you may hear and feel the looseness of the chain. Also if it has more than 70 hrs it should have had the sprockets and chain replaced at least once, or have fairly worn teeth. stock sprocket is aluminum i believe...

BJM · Apr 24, 2013

Thanks for the reply. I just read somewhere to keep an eye on the tension of the heim joint. Will check that when I get home tonight. Just ordered new one yesterday. As for the chain and sprockets they are fairly worn and due for new ones ( I new this when I purchased it ). I will also check and see if they are original. I know the chain is gold in color. Looking at the price of original Brake Discs I would presume that they are still the original ones, unless the previouse owners didnt mind paying $180 for one disc. I will have a good look tonight when I get home and hpefully I am worried about nothing and can enjoy some trouble free riding for a while.

pjk380 · May 4, 2013

I have a low hr 09 FE450 and love it. So far the bike has been bulletproof.

There should not be any play at the shock heim joint. The upper heim joint will almost last forever. The lower heim joint takes most of the abuse from water, mud and sand. Per the manual, torque is 80Nm(59 ft-lbs). If there is play the heim joint needs to be replaced. I've owned ktms and have punched out the heim joints in the past. Motion-Pro makes a very nice tool for removal and installation of the heim joint. Its expensive but makes replacing the joint very easy and straight forward. The manual says not to use any grease to lube the joint. The joint has a teflon coating. Since the Husaberg suspension is ktm suspension, there is extensive info on the joint on ktmtalk. Many recommend using a light coating of Bel-Ray waterproof grease to prevent corrosion from the elements. I use the waterproof grease and never had any issues.

maKe · May 5, 2013

95h and no play. I've cleaned and repacked it with grease twice.

Boring job to do and if you happen to miss a needle roller or two it will have play then for sure.

BJM · May 10, 2013

I have changed the heim joint. It was full of mud coroded. The area where the bike was used is renowned for being wet and muddy so I can see how it could be as bad as it was. I just used a socket to knock it out and to fit the new one. I also used some water proof grease.

pegscraper · May 10, 2013

I've just clocked up 200hrs and the heim joint is the original and still no play. Quite a bit of mud riding and occasional sand. I fitted a joint sock from new and this keeps all the crap off the joint itself so must count for something. I also fitted stanchion socks at the front and the original fork seals are still good. The discs are showing signs of wear now though. I'm pretty anal with the cleaning after a ride but NEVER use anything more powerful than a garden hose on any parts of the bike where there are seals or bearings etc.

09 FE450 Rear Shock Joint

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