KTM / Husky Chain Adjuster Bolt Backing Out

DaBaum44
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356
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1/21/2017
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IN US

What’s up Vital. I have a 2024 Husqvarna FX350 with one pesky chain adjuster bolt. After one or two rides it becomes loose and no longer rests against the axle blocks. I’ve had many Austrian bikes and never ran into this, so I figured I’d try to learn from someone whose had a similar experience. 

Here’s my tightening procedure when adjusting a chain (Jordan Troxel method)

- Set chain slack

- Rag in the rear sprocket to tighten the axle blocks against the adjuster bolts 

- Torque rear wheel, double check chain slack

- Tighten adjuster bolts. I hold the bolt in a steady position and once the nut begins to have some tension, I back the bolt out slightly (1/16 of a turn) against the axle blocks, and end with a final tighten of the adjuster nut.


The last time this happened, I took the wheel off, cleaned and anti seized the adjuster bolts, but the same bolt keeps backing out. 

I saw Jamie from Twisted Development posted a Instagram video talking about how he tightens both the bolt and the nut, in the same direction at the same time. 

Is this the move? Or who has advice? Thanks!

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FGR01
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AZ US
Fantasy
5/29/2025 7:06pm

I do it basically the same as your procedure and never had one come loose.  One thing to add, make sure none of your anti-seize is between the face of the jam nut and the swingarm.  After I put anti-seize on, some usually squeezes out when you run the bolt in.  I take the bolt out again and clean up that excess really good.

Which side is it that is coming loose?  How many mm chain slack are you running?

1
DaBaum44
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IN US
5/29/2025 9:16pm
FGR01 wrote:
I do it basically the same as your procedure and never had one come loose.  One thing to add, make sure none of your anti-seize is...

I do it basically the same as your procedure and never had one come loose.  One thing to add, make sure none of your anti-seize is between the face of the jam nut and the swingarm.  After I put anti-seize on, some usually squeezes out when you run the bolt in.  I take the bolt out again and clean up that excess really good.

Which side is it that is coming loose?  How many mm chain slack are you running?

I did make sure that the surface between the adjuster nut and swingarm was clean and dry. That is a really good thing to mention though!

It is the brake rotor side that keeps coming loose. I run 68-70 mm on chain slack. 
 

1
sandman768
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3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY US
5/30/2025 4:43am

I use same method as you, never comes loose, I do check the axle nut often, I have had that come loose a few times….I check over rear axle nut, spokes, all subframe, linkage,shock, , engine mount bolts after every ride…. 

The Shop

dansfx
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115
Joined
8/18/2023
Location
Greenville, NC US
5/30/2025 7:40pm Edited Date/Time 5/30/2025 7:40pm
DaBaum44 wrote:
Found the old video I was talking about with Jamie from TD. https://youtu.be/v3Gt9mpivgY?si=Yjh5OQVVQw4NdYzz

Found the old video I was talking about with Jamie from TD. https://youtu.be/v3Gt9mpivgY?si=Yjh5OQVVQw4NdYzz

I’m going to give this a try. I have a ‘23 KTM 350SX-F and use pretty much the same process you do and mine always comes loose. 

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