| Author | Message | ||
     Coops53233 |
I'm trying to remove my front wheel, and it appears that the axle is frozen to the inner wheel bearing race. The axle turns okay, but it doesnt seem to be sliding out of the wheel itself. By the time I get the axle about halfway out, it gets very hard to turn. By that halfway point, the wheel bearing is pressing hard into the left fork cap, forcing the fork legs apart. I've doused it in penetrating oil, and am letting it sit overnight. Any one have any ideas on how to get the axle out of the wheel?? | ||
| Cataract2 |
It's happened to me with the read wheel. I just kept cranking away until it came out. Although, to prevent this in the future. Use a little axle grease on the bearings themselves in the wheel to prevent this from happening. | ||
| Etennuly |
The first time mine came out it was that way. Turn the axle bolt out a turn or so until you feel some pressure building then using a piece of soft wood and a hammer, just below where you turn the axle give it a sharp smack. Turn it a little more and repeat. Clean the axle with a wire brush/rag/scotchbrite, finish cleaning with some solvent and lube the entire thing with anti-sieze compound. Next time out will be easy. Good time to check the wheel bearings too. I use a sharp pointed pick to pop it out and if it looks clean and not rusty at all, rub in a little fresh wheel bearing grease, leaving room for air space, push the seal back in and coat the outside of it with aiti-sieze to form a water tight seal. If you see any water or rust in the bearing, or if the grease is dirty and anything but really clean and new looking, it is time for a new bearing. | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
I would use a ratchet strap to hold the forks from bending/moving. Use alot of penetrating oil, I have also heated the axle with a heat gun "carefully" as not to boil the grease in the bearing. Just keep sending the axle in and out and it should loosen up for you. Patience is key here......Good Luck!  | ||
| Coops53233 |
Thanks guys. Time for round two! | ||
| Sub65chris |
+1 on using a ratchet strap to hold the forks together. It really works but make sure to put a rag inbetween the strap and the tubes to prevent scufs. good luck! | ||
| Ustorque |
 i stole your banana JIM!!!!!!!! | ||
| Jos51700 |
I thought they spec'd antiseize for the axles at the bearing surfaces? Props to you that came up with the ratchet strap idea, I wouldn't have thought of that. Good luck with it! This is certain frustrating! | ||
| Evil_twin |
I didn't use a ratchet strap when mine seized up. I wrapped the bottom of the fork legs with rags and slid a large C-clamp through the rim. Used lots of PB blaster and kept working the axle in and out. Clean the axle real good give it a good coat of anti-seize and put 'er back together. I haven't had a problem with mine since and have had the wheels off a few times since then. Rich  | ||
| Coops53233 |
SUCCESS!!! Thanks Firebolteric for suggesting the ratchet-strap idea. After applying said ratchet-strap good and tight, i gave the axle one more spray of penetrating oil and torqued her down till... pop, pop, POP! She finally broke loose. Was able to turn the rest of the threads out, and then managed to slide the axle about half way out of the wheel before getting stuck again. At this point though, it was easy to stick a socket and long extension inside the bearing race and tap the axle the rest of the way out. Looks like the previous owner (or his shop) slacked on the anti-seize when they replaced the front tire. THANKS!!! Still, despite a fair amount of oxidation, the axle still looks usable. The wheel bearings, however, are a different story! | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
Another thing I've noticed that will give you the exact same set of symptoms is failing to loosen the two pinch bolts before trying to get the axle out. She'll un-thread about half way and then appear to seize up. This happened to a buddy of mine this past weekend who was trying to work on his front brakes. Maybe the Tequila shots weren't such a good idea during that job after all. (-: Admittedly, I didn't notice what he had done either until after the cheater bar came out... | ||
| Coops53233 |
If there had been tequila involved, I'm sure I'd end up replacing more than the wheel bearings! |
