| Author | Message | ||
     Billy_bee |
Hi guys, Got new Scorpion trails for the Uly. Was gonna replace the front today, but the axle seems to be seized to the shim in between the two front wheel bearings. When I righty loosey the axle, the right fork tube bows out and the axle does not back out of the left fork tube. Grrrr. Stupid PO probably put it together without antiseize. I'm tempted to get a flame in there to heat the bad boy up. that would do the trick, but definitely destroy the bearings in the process. The bearings may be toast anyhow, but there was no indication of bearing failure. Tried to shoot some penetrating oil in there, too. Any other suggestions? bb | ||
| Pos90 |
Did you remember to loosen the pinch bolts? | ||
| Satori |
a 50/50 mix of acetone, and ATF fluid is the best penetrating oil ever. | ||
| Billy_bee |
Yes, the pinch bolts are loose. Never heard the acetone/ATF trick. bb | ||
| Pontlee77 |
Once off put anti seize (copper grease) when you put the axle back will prevent that happening again. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'd use heat (like from a heat gun, not a torch), penetrating oil, and a rubber mallet. | ||
| Brown_e |
My tech used heat to loosen mine. Wanted new bearings anyway. | ||
| Someday |
Remember the front axle is a LEFT hand thread. | ||
| 7873jake |
The acetone/ATF trick is a great (and cheap) penetrating oil but the acetone will evap and leave just the ATF. The super-thin weight of the acetone helps penetrate but its high evap rate leaves the ATF behind. Just a heads up if you plan to use it. I like the concoction and have used it quite a bit through the years. | ||
| Buelet |
You might try a ratchet strap to hold the fork legs together, just above the axle and then see if she backs out. Just take it easy obviously, but it seems like that might work. Maybe double up the strapping to reduce the strap stretch factor... Just a thought. Good luck! | ||
| Mnrider |
Mine was stuck also,I used a rubber mallet and penetrant. | ||
| Pos90 |
You could also try putting a tie down strap around the fork tubes close to the bottom to keep the right tube from moving. | ||
| Etennuly |
I would probably do the penetrating oil bit, then using some sort of metal protective washer/small plate or something like it, rattle the hell out of it with a long stroke air chisel. If that failed I would move to a brazing tip on an oxy-acetelene torch to heat the shim inside the wheel holes. Probably heat it quickly in spots-rattle it with the air chisel-cool it with water before the heat gets to the wheel and bearings and repeat. | ||
| Blake |
If you have to hit it then probably ought to replace the bearings. They are not up to carrying lateral impact loads. | ||
| Motorbike |
Very good point, Blake. Also, if you do need to hit it, have a buddy hold a solid, heavy object against the opposite side fork, to eliminate the springiness (is that a word?) or bouncing. Don't forget to place a thin rag between the heavy object and fork, to prevent scratches. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Odds are that the axle is seized in the inner ball bearing races in the front wheel. You should be able to spray penetrating oil (or ATF/acetone mixture) at the both sides of each race to help the oil penetrate. For the next step, I'd suggest you get something like a woodworker's pipe clamp (suitably padded to protect the forks), place it in between the front wheel spokes as close to the wheel hub as possible, and use it to prevent the forks from spreading while you unscrew the axle. A little heat could be applied to the inside of the bearing races with a hot air gun to help loosen them if necessary. Depending on how hard it is to budge, it might be a good time to replace your front bearings (as Blake suggested above) since they aren't intended to take much in the way of side loads. | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
Billy_bee, Where did you get your Trails and how much did you have to give if you don't mind me asking?..each?....Thanks,Tim | ||
| Rwcfrank |
LEFT HAND THREAD, check the arrow on the axle hex........ | ||
| Ourdee |
Once off put anti seize (copper grease) when you put the axle back will prevent that happening again. +1 on using anti seize. But, Use the silver not the copper that you use on the spark plugs. The copper will turn hard after a year or 2. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
Ourdee, I got the copper grease from the UK, i've used it in a few places i also had a bar of copper grease, but the two are different one is solid and the other less thick than normal grease so far not seen it get hard at all. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80078-Anti-Seize-Lu bricant-oz/dp/B000AAJTXY | ||
| Billy_bee |
I got the Scorpion Trails from Happy Trails. I had a $200 credit there. They gave me a good price on the tires, but they ended up charging me $40 for shipping. Total BS. I will never give them my business again. Ever. Shipping is free from SW Moto Tires. (Message edited by billy bee on February 14, 2012) | ||
| Billy_bee |
Got it out and installed a new 6mm front rotor and the new tire, Very happy camper here... bb |
