YAMAHA YZ450F 2008 Owners Manual
Page 131 of 188
5-2
FRONT WHEEL AND REAR WHEEL
REMOVING THE REAR WHEEL
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Hold the machine by placing the suitable stand 
under the engine.Refer to "HANDLING NOTE".
1 Nut (rear wheel axle) 1
2 Rear wheel axle 1
3 Drive chain puller 2
4 Rear wheel 1 Refer to removal section.
5 Collar 2
6 Rear wheel sprocket 1
7 Oil seal 2
8 Circlip 1
9 Bearing 2 Refer to removal section.
10 Brake disc 1
5 
Page 132 of 188
5-3
FRONT WHEEL AND REAR WHEEL
HANDLING NOTE
Support the machine securely so 
there is no danger of it falling over.
REMOVING THE REAR WHEEL
1. Remove:
• Wheel "1"
Push the wheel forward and remove 
the drive chain "2".
REMOVING THE WHEEL BEARING
1. Remove:
• Bearing "1"
Remove the bearing using a general 
bearing puller "2".
CHECKING THE WHEEL
1. Measure:
• Wheel runout
Out of limit 
→ Repair/replace.
2. Inspect:
• Bearing
Rotate inner race with a finger.
Rough spot/seizure 
→ Replace.
Replace the bearings, oil seal and 
wheel collar as a set.
CHECKING THE WHEEL AXLE
1. Measure:
• Wheel axle bends
Out of specification 
→ Replace.
Use the dial gauge "1".
The bending value is shown by one 
half of the dial gauge reading.
Do not attempt to straighten a bent 
axle.
CHECKING THE BRAKE DISC
1. Measure:
• Brake disc deflection (only rear 
brake disc)
Use the dial gauge "1".
Out of specification 
→ Inspect 
wheel runout.
If wheel runout is in good condi-
tion, replace the brake disc.
2. Measure:
• Brake disc thickness "a"
Out of limit 
→ Replace.INSTALLING THE FRONT WHEEL
1. Install:
• Bearing (left) "1"
• Spacer "2"
• Bearing (right) "3"
• Oil seal "4" 
• Apply the lithium soap base grease 
on the bearing and oil seal lip when 
installing.
• Use a socket that matches the out-
side diameter of the race of the 
bearing.
• Left side of bearing shall be in-
stalled first.
• Install the oil seal with its manufac-
ture's marks or numbers facing out-
ward.
Do not strike the inner race of the 
bearing. Contact should be made 
only with the outer race.
Wheel runout limit:
Radial "1": 2.0 mm 
(0.08 in)
Lateral "2": 2.0 mm 
(0.08 in)
Wheel axle bending limit:
0.5 mm (0.020 in)
Brake disc deflection lim-
it:
Rear:
<Limit>: 0.15 mm 
(0.006 in)
Brake disc thickness:
Front:
3.0 mm (0.12 in)
<Limit>: 2.5 mm (0.10 
in)
Rear:
4.0 mm (0.16 in)
<Limit>: 3.5 mm (0.14 
in) 
Page 133 of 188
5-4
FRONT WHEEL AND REAR WHEEL
2. Install:
• Brake disc "1"
• Bolt (brake disc) "2" 
Tighten the bolts in stage, using a 
crisscross pattern.
3. Install:
•Collar "1"
• Apply the lithium soap base grease 
on the oil seal lip.
• Install the collars with their projec-
tions "a" facing the wheel.
4. Install:
• Wheel
Install the brake disc "1" between the 
brake pads "2" correctly.
5. Install:
• Wheel axle "1"
Apply the lithium soap base grease 
on the wheel axle.
6. Install:
• Nut (wheel axle) "1"
7. Tighten:
• Bolt (axle holder) "1"
Before tightening the bolt, fit the 
wheel axle to the axle holder by strok-
ing the front fork several times with 
the front brake applied.
INSTALLING THE REAR WHEEL
1. Install:
• Bearing (right) "1"
• Circlip "2" 
• Spacer "3"
• Bearing (left) "4"
• Oil seal "5" 
• Apply the lithium soap base grease 
on the bearing and oil seal lip when 
installing.
• Install the bearing with seal facing 
outward.
• Use a socket that matches the out-
side diameter of the race of the 
bearing.
• Right side of bearing shall be in-
stalled first.
• Install the oil seal with its manufac-
ture's marks or numbers facing out-
ward.
Do not strike the inner race of the 
bearing. Contact should be made 
only with the outer race.
2. Install:
• Brake disc "1"
• Bolt (brake disc) "2" 
Tighten the bolts in stage, using a 
crisscross pattern.
3. Install:
• Rear wheel sprocket "1"
• Bolt (rear wheel sprocket) "2"
• Washer (rear wheel sprocket) "3"
• Nut (rear wheel sprocket) "4"
Tighten the nuts in stage, using a 
crisscross pattern.
Bolt (brake disc):
12 Nm (1.2 m•kg, 8.7 
ft•lb)
Nut (wheel axle):
105 Nm (10.5 m•kg, 75 
ft•lb)
Bolt (axle holder):
21 Nm (2.1 m•kg, 15 
ft•lb)
Bolt (brake disc):
14 Nm (1.4 m•kg, 10 
ft•lb)
Nut (rear wheel sprock-
et):
42 Nm (4.2 m•kg, 30 
ft•lb) 
Page 134 of 188
5-5
FRONT WHEEL AND REAR WHEEL
4. Install:
•Collar "1"
Apply the lithium soap base grease 
on the oil seal lip.
5. Install:
• Wheel
Install the brake disc "1" between the 
brake pads "2" correctly.
6. Install:
• Drive chain "1"
Push the wheel "2" forward and install 
the drive chain.
7. Install:
• Left drive chain puller "1"
• Wheel axle "2"
• Install the left drive chain puller, and 
insert the wheel axle from left side.
• Apply the lithium soap base grease 
on the wheel axle.
8. Install:
• Right drive chain puller "1"
• Washer "2"
• Nut (wheel axle) "3"
Temporarily tighten the nut (wheel 
axle) at this point.
9. Adjust:
• Drive chain slack "a"
Refer to "ADJUSTING THE 
DRIVE CHAIN SLACK" section in 
the CHAPTER 3.
10. Tighten:
• Nut (wheel axle) "1"
• Locknut "2"
Drive chain slack:
48–58 mm (1.9–2.3 in)
Nut (wheel axle):
125 Nm (12.5 m•kg, 90 
ft•lb)
Locknut:
19 Nm (1.9 m•kg, 13 
ft•lb) 
Page 135 of 188
5-6
FRONT BRAKE AND REAR BRAKE
FRONT BRAKE AND REAR BRAKE
REMOVING THE FRONT BRAKE
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Hold the machine by placing the suitable stand 
under the engine.Refer to "HANDLING NOTE".
Drain the brake fluid.  Refer to removal section.
1 Brake hose holder (protector) 2
2 Union bolt 2
3 Brake hose 1
4 Pad pin plug 1 Remove when loosening the pad pin.
5Pad pin 1Loosen when disassembling the brake cali-
per.
6 Brake caliper 1
7Brake lever 1
8 Brake master cylinder bracket 1
9 Brake master cylinder 1 
Page 136 of 188
5-7
FRONT BRAKE AND REAR BRAKE
REMOVING THE REAR BRAKE
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
Hold the machine by placing the suitable stand 
under the engine.Refer to "HANDLING NOTE".
Rear wheel Refer to "FRONT WHEEL AND REAR 
WHEEL" section.
Drain the brake fluid.  Refer to removal section.
1 Brake pedal 1
2 Brake master cylinder 1
3 Brake hose holder 2
4 Union bolt 2
5 Brake hose 1
6 Pad pin plug 1 Remove when loosening the pad pin.
7Pad pin 1Loosen when disassembling the brake cali-
per.
8 Brake caliper 1 
Page 137 of 188
5-8
FRONT BRAKE AND REAR BRAKE
DISASSEMBLING THE BRAKE CALIPER
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
A. Front
B. Rear
AB
1Pad pin 11
2 Brake pad 2 2
3 Pad support 1 1
4 Brake caliper piston 2 1 Refer to removal section.
5 Brake caliper piston dust seal 2 1 Refer to removal section.
6 Brake caliper piston seal2 1 Refer to removal section. 
Page 138 of 188
5-9
FRONT BRAKE AND REAR BRAKE
DISASSEMBLING THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
Order Part name Q'ty Remarks
A. Front
B. Rear
1 Brake master cylinder cap 1
2 Diaphragm 1
3 Reservoir float 1
4 Push rod (Front) 1
5 Brake master cylinder boot 1
6 Circlip 1 Use a long nose circlip pliers.
7 Washer 1
8 Push rod (Rear) 1
9 Brake master cylinder kit 1 
Page 139 of 188
5-10
FRONT BRAKE AND REAR BRAKE
HANDLING NOTE
Support the machine securely so 
there is no danger of it falling over.
DRAINING THE BRAKE FLUID
1. Remove:
• Brake master cylinder cap "1"
• Protector (rear brake)
Do not remove the diaphragm.
A. Front
B. Rear
2. Connect the transparent hose "2" 
to the bleed screw "1" and place a 
suitable container under its end.
A. Front
B. Rear
3. Loosen the bleed screw and drain 
the brake fluid while pulling the le-
ver in or pushing down on the 
pedal.
• Do not reuse the drained brake 
fluid.
• Brake fluid may erode painted 
surfaces or plastic parts. Always 
clean up spilled fluid immediate-
ly.
REMOVING THE BRAKE CALIPER 
PISTON
1. Remove:
• Brake caliper piston
Use compressed air and proceed 
carefully.
• Cover piston with rag and use ex-
treme caution when expelling 
piston from cylinder.
• Never attempt to pry out piston.
Caliper piston removal steps:
a. Insert a piece of rag into the brake 
caliper to lock one brake caliper.
b. Carefully force the piston out of 
the brake caliper cylinder with 
compressed air.
A. Front
B. Rear
REMOVING THE BRAKE CALIPER 
PISTON SEAL KIT
1. Remove:
• Brake caliper piston dust seal "1"
• Brake caliper piston seal "2"
Remove the brake caliper piston 
seals and brake caliper piston dust 
seals by pushing them with a finger.
Never attempt to pry out brake cal-
iper piston seals and brake caliper 
piston dust seals.
Replace the brake caliper piston 
seals and brake caliper piston dust 
seals whenever a caliper is disas-
sembled.
A. Front
B. Rear
CHECKING THE BRAKE MASTER 
CYLINDER
1. Inspect:
• Brake master cylinder inner sur-
face "a"
Wear/scratches 
→ Replace mas-
ter cylinder assembly.
Stains
→Clean.
Use only new brake fluid.
A. Front
B. Rear
2. Inspect:
• Diaphragm "1"
Crack/damage
→Replace.
A. Front
B. Rear
3. Inspect: (front brake only)
• Reservoir float "1"
Damage
→Replace.
4. Inspect:
• Brake master cylinder piston "1"
• Brake master cylinder cup "2"
Wear/damage/score marks
→Re-
place brake master cylinder kit. 
Page 140 of 188
5-11
FRONT BRAKE AND REAR BRAKE
CHECKING THE BRAKE CALIPER
1. Inspect:
• Brake caliper cylinder inner sur-
face "a"
Wear/score marks
→Replace 
brake caliper assembly.
A. Front
B. Rear
2. Inspect:
• Brake caliper piston "1"
Wear/score marks
→Replace 
brake caliper piston assembly.
Replace the brake caliper piston 
seals and brake caliper piston dust 
seals "2" whenever a caliper is dis-
assembled.
CHECKING THE BRAKE HOSE
1. Inspect:
• Brake hose "1"
Crack/damage
→Replace.
HANDLING NOTE
• All internal parts should be 
cleaned in new brake fluid only.
• Internal parts should be lubricat-
ed with brake fluid when in-
stalled.
• Replace the brake caliper piston seals and brake caliper piston 
dust seals whenever a caliper is 
disassembled.
INSTALLING THE BRAKE 
CALIPER PISTON
1. Clean:
• Brake caliper
• Brake caliper piston seal
• Brake caliper piston dust seal
• Brake caliper piston
Clean them with brake fluid.
2. Install:
• Brake caliper piston seal "1" 
• Brake caliper piston dust seal "2" 
Always use new brake caliper pis-
ton seals and brake caliper piston 
dust seals.
• Apply the brake fluid on the brake 
caliper piston seal.
• Apply the silicone grease on the 
brake caliper piston dust seal.
• Fit the brake caliper piston seals 
and brake caliper piston dust seals 
onto the slot on brake caliper cor-
rectly.
A. Front
B. Rear
3. Install:
• Brake caliper piston "1"
Apply the brake fluid on the piston 
wall.
• Install the piston with its shallow 
depressed side "a" facing the 
brake caliper.
• Never force to insert.
A. Front
B. Rear
INSTALLING THE FRONT BRAKE 
CALIPER
1. Install:
• Pad support "1"
• Brake pad "2"
• Pad pin "3"
• Install the brake pads with their pro-
jections "a" into the brake caliper re-
cesses "b".
• Temporarily tighten the pad pin at 
this point.
2. Install:
• Brake caliper "1"
• Bolt (brake caliper) "2"
3. Tighten:
• Pad pin "3"
4. Install:
• Pad pin plug "4"
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)