2008 YAMAHA YZ450F brake

3-14
CHASSIS
CHECKING AND REPLACING THE
FRONT BRAKE PADS
1. Inspect:
• Brake pad thickness "a"
Out of specification
→Replace as
a set.
2. Replace:
• Brake pad
Brake pad replacement steps:
a. Remove the pad pin plug "1".
b. Loosen the pad pin "2".
c. Remove the brake caliper "3"
from the front fork.
d. Remove the pad pin and brake
pads "4".e. Connect the transparent hose "5"
to the bleed screw "6" and place
the suitable container under its
end.
f. Loosen the bleed screw and push
the brake caliper piston in.
Do not reuse the drained brake flu-
id.
g. Tighten the bleed screw.
h. Install the brake pads "7" and pad
pin.
• Install the brake pads with their pro-
jections "a" into the brake caliper re-
cesses "b".
• Temporarily tighten the pad pin at
this point.
i. Install the brake caliper "8" and
tighten the pad pin "9".j. Install the pad pin plug "10".
3. Inspect:
• Brake fluid level
Refer to "CHECKING THE
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL" section.
4. Check:
• Brake lever operation
A softy or spongy feeling
→Bleed
brake system.
Refer to "BLEEDING THE HY-
DRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM" sec-
tion.
CHECKING AND REPLACING THE
REAR BRAKE PADS
1. Inspect:
• Brake pad thickness "a"
Out of specification
→Replace as
a set.
2. Replace:
• Brake pad
Brake pad replacement steps:
a. Remove the protector "1" and pad
pin plug "2". Brake pad thickness:
4.4 mm (0.17 in)
: 1.0 mm (0.04
in)
Bleed screw:
6 Nm (0.6 m•kg, 4.3
ft•lb)
Bolt (brake caliper):
28 Nm (2.8 m•kg, 20
ft•lb)
Pad pin:
18 Nm (1.8 m•kg, 13
ft•lb)
Pad pin plug:
3 Nm (0.3 m•kg, 2.2
ft•lb)
Brake pad thickness:
6.4 mm (0.25 in)
: 1.0 mm (0.04
in)

3-15
CHASSIS
b. Loosen the pad pin "3".
c. Remove the rear wheel "4" and
brake caliper "5".
Refer to "FRONT WHEEL AND
REAR WHEEL" section in the
CHAPTER 5.
d. Remove the pad pin "6" and brake
pads "7".
e. Connect the transparent hose "8"
to the bleed screw "9" and place
the suitable container under its
end.
f. Loosen the bleed screw and push
the brake caliper piston in.
Do not reuse the drained brake flu-
id.
g. Tighten the bleed screw.
h. Install the brake pad "10" and pad
pin "11".
• Install the brake pads with their pro-
jections "a" into the brake caliper re-
cesses "b".
• Temporarily tighten the pad pin at this point.
i. Install the brake caliper "12" and
rear wheel "13".
Refer to "FRONT WHEEL AND
REAR WHEEL" section in the
CHAPTER 5.
j. Tighten the pad pin "14".
k. Install the pad pin plug "15" and
protector "16".
3. Inspect:
• Brake fluid level
Refer to "CHECKING THE
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL" section.
4. Check:
• Brake pedal operation
A softy or spongy feeling
→Bleed
brake system.
Refer to "BLEEDING THE HY-
DRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM" sec-
tion.
CHECKING THE REAR BRAKE
PAD INSULATOR
1. Remove:
•Brake pad
Refer to "CHECKING AND RE-
PLACING THE REAR BRAKE PADS" section.
2. Inspect:
• Rear brake pad insulator "1"
Damage
→Replace.
CHECKING THE BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL
1. Place the brake master cylinder
so that its top is in a horizontal po-
sition.
2. Inspect:
• Brake fluid level
Fluid at lower level
→Fill up.
• Use only designated quality
brake fluid to avoid poor brake
performance.
• Refill with same type and brand
of brake fluid; mixing fluids
could result in poor brake perfor-
mance.
• Be sure that water or other con-
taminants do not enter master
cylinder when refilling.
• Clean up spilled fluid immediate-
ly to avoid erosion of painted
surfaces or plastic parts.
a. Lower level
A. Front
B. Rear
CHECKING THE SPROCKET
1. Inspect:
• Sprocket teeth "a"
Excessive wear
→Replace.
Replace the drive sprocket, rear
wheel sprocket and drive chain as a
set.
Bleed screw:
6 Nm (0.6 m•kg, 4.3
ft•lb)
Pad pin:
18 Nm (1.8 m•kg, 13
ft•lb)
Pad pin plug:
3 Nm (0.3 m•kg, 2.2
ft•lb)
Bolt (protector):
7 Nm (0.7 m•kg, 5.1
ft•lb)
Recommended brake flu-
id:
DOT #4

3-17
CHASSIS
CHECKING THE FRONT FORK
1. Inspect:
• Front fork smooth action
Operate the front brake and
stroke the front fork.
Unsmooth action/oil leakage
→
Repair or replace.
CLEANING THE FRONT FORK OIL
SEAL AND DUST SEAL
1. Remove:
•Protector
• Dust seal "1"
Use a thin screw driver, and be care-
ful not to damage the inner fork tube
and dust seal.
2. Clean:
• Dust seal "a"
• Oil seal "b"
• Clean the dust seal and oil seal af-
ter every run.
• Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the inner tube.
RELIEVING THE FRONT FORK
INTERNAL PRESSURE
If the front fork initial movement feels
stiff during a run, relieve the front fork
internal pressure.
1. Elevate the front wheel by placing
a suitable stand under the engine.
2. Remove the air bleed screw "1"
and release the internal pressure
from the front fork.
3. Install:• Air bleed screw
ADJUSTING THE FRONT FORK
REBOUND DAMPING FORCE
1. Adjust:
• Rebound damping force
By turning the adjuster "1".
• STANDARD POSITION:
This is the position which is back
by the specific number of clicks
from the fully turned-in position.
Do not force the adjuster past the
minimum or maximum extent of
adjustment. The adjuster may be
damaged.
Always adjust each front fork to
the same setting. Uneven adjust-
ment can cause poor handling and
loss of stability.
ADJUSTING THE FRONT FORK
COMPRESSION DAMPING FORCE
1. Adjust:
• Compression damping force
By turning the adjuster "1".
• STANDARD POSITION:
This is the position which is back
by the specific number of clicks
from the fully turned-in position.
Do not force the adjuster past the
minimum or maximum extent of
adjustment. The adjuster may be
damaged.
Always adjust each front fork to
the same setting. Uneven adjust-
ment can cause poor handling and
loss of stability.
CHECKING THE REAR SHOCK
ABSORBER
1. Inspect:
• Swingarm smooth action
Abnormal noise/unsmooth action
→Grease the pivoting points or
repair the pivoting points.
Damage/oil leakage
→Replace.
Air bleed screw:
1 Nm (0.1 m•kg, 0.7
ft•lb)
Stiffer "a"
→Increase the re-
bound damping force. (Turn
the adjuster "1" in.)
Softer "b"
→Decrease the re-
bound damping force. (Turn
the adjuster "1" out.)
Extent of adjustment:
Maximum Minimum
Fully turned in
position20 clicks out
(from maximum
position)
Standard position:
12 clicks out
* 11 clicks out
* For EUROPE
Stiffer "a" →Increase the com-
pression damping force. (Turn
the adjuster "1" in.)
Softer "b"
→Decrease the com-
pression damping force. (Turn
the adjuster "1" out.)
Extent of adjustment:
Maximum Minimum
Fully turned in
position20 clicks out
(from maximum
position)
Standard position:
12 clicks out
* 7 clicks out
* For EUROPE

3-21
CHASSIS
LUBRICATION
To ensure smooth operation of all
components, lubricate your machine
during setup, after break-in, and after
every race.
1. All control cable
2. Clutch lever pivot
3. Shift pedal pivot
4. Footrest pivot
5. Throttle-to-handlebar contact
6. Drive chain
7. Tube guide cable winding por-
tion
8. Throttle cable end
9. Clutch cable end
10. Hot starter cable end
A. Use Yamaha cable lube or
equivalent on these areas.B. Use SAE 10W-30 motor oil or
suitable chain lubricants.
C. Lubricate the following areas
with high quality, lightweight lith-
ium-soap base grease.
Wipe off any excess grease, and
avoid getting grease on the brake
discs.

4-29
CLUTCH
CLUTCH
REMOVING THE CLUTCH
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Drain the engine oil. Refer to "CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL"
section in the CHAPTER 3.
Brake pedal Refer to "ENGINE REMOVAL" section.
Clutch cable Disconnect at engine side.
1 Clutch cover 1
2 Gasket 1
3 Dowel pin 2
4 Clutch spring 6
5 Pressure plate 1
6 Push rod 1 1
7 Circlip 1
8 Washer 1
9 Bearing 1
10 Ball 1
11 Push rod 2 1
12 Clutch plate 7
13 Friction plate 8

4-33
OIL FILTER ELEMENT AND WATER PUMP
OIL FILTER ELEMENT AND WATER PUMP
REMOVING THE OIL FILTER ELEMENT AND WATER PUMP
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Right engine guard Refer to "ENGINE REMOVAL" section.
Drain the engine oil. Refer to "CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL"
section in the CHAPTER 3.
Drain the coolant. Refer to "CHANGING THE COOLANT" sec-
tion.
Exhaust pipe Refer to "EXHAUST PIPE AND SILENCER"
section.
Brake pedal Refer to "ENGINE REMOVAL" section.
Clutch cover Refer to "CLUTCH" section.
1 Oil filter element cover 1
2 Oil filter element 1
3 Coolant pipe 2 1
4 Water pump housing 1
5Pin 2
6 Oil tank breather hose 1
7 Kickstarter crank 1
8 Right crankcase cover 1
10 Nm (1.0 m kg, 7.2 ft lb)
10 Nm (1.0 m kg, 7.2 ft lb)
10 Nm (1.0 m kg, 7.2 ft lb)
10 Nm (1.0 m kg, 7.2 ft lb)
10 Nm (1.0 m kg, 7.2 ft lb)
33 Nm (3.3 m kg, 24 ft lb)
14 Nm (1.4 m kg, 10 ft lb)
12 Nm (1.2 m kg, 8.7 ft lb)

4-50
ENGINE REMOVAL
Engine guard
1 Neutral switch 1
2 Drive chain sprocket cover 1
3 Nut (drive sprocket) 1 Refer to removal section.
4 Lock washer 1 Refer to removal section.
5 Drive sprocket 1 Refer to removal section.
6Clip 1
7 Bolt (brake pedal) 1
8 Brake pedal 1
9 Upper engine bracket 2
10 Lower engine bracket 2
11 Engine mounting bolt 3
12 Pivot shaft 1 Refer to removal section.
13 Engine 1 Refer to removal section. Order Part name Q'ty Remarks

4-51
ENGINE REMOVAL
HANDLING NOTE
Support the machine securely so
there is no danger of it falling over.
REMOVING THE DRIVE
SPROCKET
1. Remove:
• Nut (drive sprocket) "1"
• Lock washer "2"
• Straighten the lock washer tab.
• Loosen the nut while applying the
rear brake.
2. Remove:
• Drive sprocket "1"
• Drive chain "2"
Remove the drive sprocket together
with the drive chain.
REMOVING THE ENGINE
1. Remove:
• Pivot shaft "1"
If the pivot shaft is pulled all the way
out, the swingarm will come loose. If
possible, insert a shaft of similar di-
ameter into the other side of the swin-
garm to support it.
2. Remove:
• Engine "1"
From right side.
Make sure that the couplers, hoses
and cables are disconnected.
INSTALLING THE ENGINE
1. Install:
• Engine "1"
Install the engine from right side.
• Pivot shaft "2"
• Engine mounting bolt (lower) "3"
• Lower engine bracket "4"
• Bolt (lower engine bracket) "5"
• Patch "6"
• Engine mounting bolt (front) "7"
• Upper engine bracket "8"
• Bolt (upper engine bracket) "9"
• Engine mounting bolt (upper) "10"
• Apply the molybdenum disulfide
grease on the pivot shaft.
• Install the patch with the claw "a"
facing outside the chassis.
INSTALLING THE BRAKE PEDAL
1. Install:
• Spring "1"
• Brake pedal "2"
• O-ring "3"
• Bolt (brake pedal) "4"
• Clip "5"
Apply the lithium soap base grease
on the bolt, O-rings and brake pedal
bracket.
INSTALLING THE DRIVE
SPROCKET
1. Install:
• Drive sprocket "1"
• Drive chain "2"
Install the drive sprocket together
with the drive chain.
Pivot shaft:
85 Nm (8.5 m•kg, 61
ft•lb)
Engine mounting bolt
(lower):
53Nm (5.3 m•kg, 38
ft•lb)
Bolt (lower engine brack-
et):
34 Nm (3.4 m•kg, 24
ft•lb)
Engine mounting bolt
(front):
53 Nm (5.3 m•kg, 38
ft•lb)
Bolt (upper engine brack-
et):
55 Nm (5.5 m•kg, 40
ft•lb)
Engine mounting bolt
(upper):
55 Nm (5.5 m•kg, 40
ft•lb)
Bolt (brake pedal):
26 Nm (2.6 m•kg, 19
ft•lb)