| Author | Message | ||
     California |
The previous owner of this 2009 XT had the rear tire replaced, and it was installed backwards. So, I have to remover the rear wheel and have the tire turned around. But, I can not budge the rear axle! I have loosened the pinch bolt, removed the caliper, and the belt guard, and I can not with all my strength budge the rear axle, what is the recommended method of removing a recalcitrant rear axle? | ||
| Froggy |
If the tire was put on backwards, they probably didn't grease the axle, and probably over torqued it too crushing the bearings. DAMHIK. | ||
| California |
Geeeeeze, aren't you the bearer of glad tidings! This is kind of what I was afraid of, but how do I get it off? | ||
| Froggy |
I didn't, but the guy that did get it off said the axle was pretty much welded on from corrosion and over torquing. Sorry I don't know how he got it off without ruining my bike. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Spray it with a GOOD penetrant, like BG InForce. Make sure to get it as far into the material joint as you can (axle-to-swingarm). Let it sit overnight. Spray it again. Let it sit again. Repeat the cycle for a week or so. Stuff should eventually start to trickle in, and loosen up the axle. Then, get the largest wrench you have, probably a 1/2" drive. Put a hydraulic 2ton jack handle over it, making it into a breaker bar. See if leverage helps out. On re-install...use grease, AND antiseize. Grease on axle, antisieze on threads. And torque it by the book. | ||
| Hughlysses |
First, you do know the rear axle (unlike the front) is "lefty loosey", right? Try applying penetrating oil (PB Blaster or similar) to the axle threads and the clamp end of the axle. It wouldn't hurt to place a piece of wood against the swingarm in that area and give it a whack with a hammer either (this can help the penetrating oil penetrate). Let it soak for a while (at least overnight) to hopefully loosen things up. Get a breaker bar (not a ratchet) and add a "cheater" pipe if necessary to increase the length to give you more torque to loosen the axle. It should come out. | ||
| Rwven |
How big a lever are you using? If you can carefully apply some heat to the left swingarm you may be able to get it to break loose. Sounds like it was over-torqued to me also. I pulled my wheel off this morning and I was only using a 3/8 ratchet. I'd have some new bearings and a new spacer put in if I were you. On reassembly, use anti-seize on the axle threads and were its pinched in the swingarm (some guys just coat the whole thing) torque to 25 lb/ft, back off two turns and then torque to 50 lb/ft. The shop manual gives a torque range but those numbers are easy to remember. (Message edited by rwven on May 05, 2010) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Heat cycles on top of the penetrating oil are helpful. Also, the factory axle tool has some flex to it, so if you weld up a nut yourself and then hit it with an impact wrench, you have a better chance of breaking it free. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
One last thing just in case: The pinch bolt? That type of stuff gets me all the time. Just saying....... | ||
| California |
Gave up! tried a 18" breaker bar with a 1/2 drive and stood on the friggin thing! Nothing! Since the bike is leaving for Alabama on Saturday, I took it to the "ex" Buell dealer and let him have at it! We'll see what comes of it now! | ||
| Ronmold |
18"? I used a 5' piece of unistrut, it still took a bit! | ||
| Pso |
What did Archimedes say about leverage? | ||
| Hughlysses |
Well, assuming he weighs in the neighborhood of 200 lbs, standing near the end of an 18" breaker bar would develop ~250 ft-lbs of torque. If that didn't break it loose, he's definitely got a problem. |
