| Author | Message | ||
     Cataract2 |
Every time I remove that rear wheel it's a choir. I was wondering if the new swingarm design for the XB's is any better in getting it off? Seems each time I have to crank that sucker hard before the bearings will let go for the axle. I put anti seize on them but it seems to make no difference. | ||
| Fullpower |
mine comes right out, less than 5 minutes. complete rear tire change is less than half an hour with hand tools. what part of the job is hanging you up? | ||
| Kowpow225 |
Fullpower, Please tell us your secret... I'm going to be doing some work back there too! | ||
| Scitz |
If your using a rear wheel stand I found it helps to start removeing the chain guard first before you put the bike on the stand. | ||
| Fullpower |
Six inch wood block under muffler,remove rear caliper fasteners (2), remove axle pinch bolt, remove axle ( 7/8th wrench over the factory hex tool. i live on the south coast of Alaska, half a mile from the ocean,get some salt spray, and ride a lot in the rain, so anti-seize or loctite are used on ALL threaded fasteners. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Fullpower, I tried that, but had to twist the belt a bit if I did not remove the guards, which was a bit of a PIA. With my upgraded 2003 belt I'm still scared to twist the belt even a small amount, which really slows the change down. With a chain or less fragile belt it would be much easier. The service manual is funny, it tells you to take half of the bike apart, a bit of overkill. | ||
| Spike |
Fullpower's method is correct except those of us who still use the stock belt will need to remove the idler pulley after loosening the axle. Assuming everything is properly lubed/anti-seized it's really a piece of cake. I've only had to fight to get the rear wheel off of an XB once and that was on my neighbor's bike which didn't have any anti-seize on the axle. The axle was seized up pretty good, it took the better part of an hour to get his wheel off. If you come across a seized axle then PB blaster is a must, along with a decent sized hammer and some patience. The exception is the '03 models that need to have the belt guards removed. I don't think there's a good way to get the wheel off without removing the belt guards and that takes up a fair amount of time. | ||
| Cataract2 |
The part where I begin to do the 15? turns to get the axle loosened enough to remove tension on the belt. Every time those darn bearings freeze to it. Crank crank crank crank to the point where I almost think the swingarm is going to snap. | ||
| Dago |
Spatten1, I twist my belt slightly every time I change my rear tire and have yet to have any trouble. My belt guards are removed. That probably makes a difference. And since you already know how powerful my bike is, this should alleviate any fears you have of doing the same.  | ||
| Scitz |
Make sure to use anti-sieze when you put it back together. The first time I changed the tire on my 03' XB9R there was a good amount of corrosion that made it had to get off. | ||
| Truk |
Cataract - notice you live in Cocoa Beach, Fl. Does your bike stay outside? Salt air is real tough on things... | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Cataract, run a ratchet tie-down through the wheel, and around the swingarm, near the axle, so that as you crank, the swingarm is held compressed side to side by the tie down. Do you put antiseize on the bearing and on the axle both? | ||
| Nevar |
Spike, Is PB Blaster better than Liquid Wrench? Tim | ||
| Cataract2 |
Truk, bike is garaged. My baby isn't staying outside if I can help it. I do use anti seize, heck, I covered it with that stuff this last time. Maybe I should try a different brand. What brands do you guys use? | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
I understand you covered the AXLE, which is slid from one swingarm opening, thru the swingarm, thru the bearing, thru the bearing seperator in the wheel hub, thru a bearing, before coming out to the other side of the swingarm...Have you looked to see how much antiseize remains left behind? Mr Gasket silver in a small tube, applied probably overkill, but oh well, its cheap, an axle and swingarm aren't. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Cataract2, are you supporting the wheel from underneath to keep the axle-bearings-holes lined up and so the weight of the wheel-tire-pulley isn't working against you? I've installed over a dozen rear tires and it has always been relatively easy on the XB series (easier now with the HF tire machine). | ||
| Cataract2 |
Never thought to support the tire underneath. I'll try that next time. | ||
| Ingemar |
.. run a ratchet tie-down through the wheel, and around the swingarm, near the axle, so that as you crank, the swingarm is held compressed side to side by the tie down... Good one! Thanks!  | ||
| Aydenxb9 |
Just changed the rear tire on my 9s and total time was under an hour not including the time taken to run the wheel & tire assy to the bike shop to have the new tire popped on the wheel. The secret is anti seize, makes taking out the axle childs play. My jacking mechanism is a 2 ton folding engine hoist, that way I can raise and lower the bike and the floor supports the the wheel/tire assy. | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Wycked, you seem to know a little something about the price of axles and swingarms huh? Definitely anti-sieze!!! | ||
| Cataract2 |
Just thinking outside the box a bit here. What if I used axle grease on the areas of the axle where the bearings sit? | ||
| Scitz |
I tried using just grease the last time I changed my tire and it didn't seem to help any, had to use a 4ft. breaker bar to loosen the axle. I used Loctite anti-seize that comes in a stick form and just coated the axle and the threads inside the swing arm. After installing the axle just wiped away the excess. The problem of the seizing is because of the aluminum swing arm and the steel axle. The sealed wheel bearings are steel and are less likely to corrode and seize on the axle. I bought my bike used and I think it was left outside a good amount of time. When I removed the axle the first time there was corrosion all on the inside of the swing arm where the axle made contact. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Axle is not the same type of steel as the bearing centers...that is what causes them to seize, and yes it is the bearing inner rings seizing to the axles that has been the most problem...as to knowing the price of axles and swingarms...nope, I couldn't tell you what each costs, I just know I don't want to have to replace them unless its absolutely needed...I do have a spare swingarm that needs a tough of cosmetic repair...but I still intend on using that for something else entirely... |
