Honda fourtrax 350 brake problem

[Emmet vintage]

Hi all,
Have a 350 fourtrax here and the front brakes dont stop the quad at all. I noticed that down at the drum on the front side with the front brake lever there is a line broken. It is next to what i think is the main brake fluid line (the thick one goin to the drum)it is a fair bit smaller is this a brake fluid line awell? As i would take that as the problem

 

[DT86]

Hard to say. Got a picture? If not, the year model would help someone look up the correct diagram.

 

[Emmet vintage]

My photos won't upload right now. Its a 04/03 i think. 2wd 350 honda fourtrax

 

[Emmet vintage]

Ok got some of the hose today and a new set of shoes and balljoints for the front. But one of the front drums won't come off (the right one) any tips for pulling it off. It looks like theres a spacer type washer in front of the wheel bearing

 

[SpudHauler]

You can't get if off because the brake adjuster is probably holding the old brake shoes out against the brake drum.

See the parts diagram here, number 17 is the adjuster.

So for the right front you need to reach in from the back side of the brake plate and move that notched wheel toward the rear and you should feel it loosen of the brakes.

Go as far as possible and then rotate the drum, it should be quite free and give it a pull off.

If I'm wrong, often am, you may have to turn the notch wheel in the opposite direction. Either way, if turned in the wrong way the brakes get applied and the drum stops turning, go the opposite way.

The left side will be the opposite direction of the right when it comes to turning the notch wheel.

Looking at a parts diagram like this often helps to figure things out. I've never removed a wheel like this on a ATV/TRX but it's the same principle as all cars with drum brakes.

Good Luck.

the site is a good reference for parts, wasn't sure of the model you have, there is about 6 listed, so when asking for help as much detail on what you have is a must.



By the way, #5 is the bleed screw, if you had a brake fluid leak you are going to need to bleed the system of air. Brake fluid eats paint, Dot 3 is the usual type as listed on the master cylinder cap and any mechanic friend should be able to help you get the air out of the system when you have everything back together.

 

[Emmet vintage]

Ok thats. Loads of info there i will get that drum off today. Also i need new tyres for the back. What would you recommend?

 

[SpudHauler]

Round black ones. ha ha ha

I don't know, you have 24x9-11 originally, price is a big factor.

Here is a site, plug in the size,

http://www.atvtires.com/

Sort the page by price and select one. $70 for Kenda k299 look good, Dunlop k2801 for $75, Super Grip for $81 all nice.

I had ITP Mudlite for $85 on another type of vehicle and really liked those.

Your choice and what are you running on mostly. Rocky ground will wear these tires quickly. The ones I've picked are for softer ground and mud/snow.

Where is Meath anyway? USA IRELAND UK where?

 

[Emmet vintage]

Meath is in ireland haha should proberly mention that somewhere. Well there are 25x8.00-12 on the back at the minute. I think i found a website similar to that on out here in ireland

 

[Emmet vintage]

www.eiretyres.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=124&cart_id=4162614.124.28689&s_p=Tyres
Thats the website there

 

[SpudHauler]

Cool.

The Wanda P350 or the Kenda K299 look interesting.

What do you travel on over there? Mud, sand, rock, gravel, plowed fields or paved roads.

Tires are a little more expensive.

ATV's are not that hard on tires, it's more how hard you ride it. Ask others in your area what they run is always helpful. Dealers tend to know what sells the best and last the longest.

Good luck.

 

[Emmet vintage]

Thanks we travel mainly on gravel and grazing land and i think the k299(bear claws) are usually thought of as the best of the best

 

[Emmet vintage]

Ok loosened all the nuts and bolts on the arms to take off the balljoints. And i had a go at that drum again and i couldnt get the adjuster to move :/ so i still couldnt get the drum off. Ideas?

 

[SpudHauler]

Looks like the adjuster hole plug is on the brake drum on the outside. I originally thought access was at the rear.

And there is some 6x10mm bolts holding the hub to the spindle. These have to be removed.

Will the notch wheel move in either direction?

Did you apply some penetrating oil?

PM your email and I'll email you directly, this may take some time to fix.

And the exact model would be useful. It's a 03/04 TRX350 but is it a FE, FM, TE, TM version. Might make a difference.