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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through September 15, 2004 » Frozen Axle?? « Previous Next »

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Evil_twin
Posted on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 06:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Took the XB to the local Yamaha shop to have the new tires mounted, and they tell me that the front axle is frozen to the bearings. And they don't want to attempt to change it for fear of damage. Which, I understand. Is there a trick to removing the front tire (something I or they don't know about) or should I take it do my dealership for a little warranty work?

Anyone hear of this before?

Rich
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Darthane
Posted on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 06:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ha! They're probably not paying attention to the fact that it's a reverse thread.
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Evil_twin
Posted on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 07:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah, I was aware of that.

I asked. He said they knew.

I will just take it to the dealer on Tuesday.

BTW, Bryan, the 'Bolt looks great!

My bike stays in my garage when I'm not on it, but it has been known to be through a couple of good rainstorms. There is no reason for the bearings to be frozen to the axle.

Rich
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Spike
Posted on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 07:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The same thing happened to my XB when I got new tires a few months ago. The bike was less than 6 months old at the time. The tech really had a hard time getting the axle out. I think he ended up using a propane torch to heat the axle to get it out. I made sure he coated the axle with anti-sieze before putting it back in, we'll see how well that worked next time I get tires.

Mike
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M1combat
Posted on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 07:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

He loosened the pinch bolts yes?
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Fullpower
Posted on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 07:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

the only solution to this problem is preventive, one must use up tires at a quicker rate, and do coat the axle with anti seize lubricant when re-assembling. i would be reluctant to ride a bike on which the aluminum front axle had been subject to the heat of a propane torch. be careful.
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Tikiman1
Posted on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 07:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

not to mention the effect the heat has on the fork internals!
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Starter
Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 01:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Lemme guess. Symptoms are the axle turns but spreads the fork legs apart. Damn I got the same problem.
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Evil_twin
Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 03:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The tech said that they got everything loose and it spins but the bearings are stuck to the axle.

I am going to take a look at it this weekend, I didn't have the time to do it during the week. Otherwise, I would have taken the wheels off myself. Having the extra day off and all, I should have more time to take a gander at it. I think with a good penetrative lubricant I should be able to get it off OR bring myself to the conclusion that it does need to go to the dealer. Either way, I will get it worked out.

Gonna try to stay away from the heat thing, though, just sounds like bad news.

Rich
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Blake
Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 05:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The front axle is aluminum?
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Darthane
Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 09:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I believe so, Blake. You can get some serious metal on metal corrosion going there. A bit of WD-40 or something similar will probably break it loose.

Don't forget the anti-seize!

Thanks, Rich. I've got my header out to Jet-Hot, the black heel guards, and the frame pucks still to go one. Only thing missing after that is to powder coat the wheels and all done.
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Odie
Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 09:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Darthane, post pic's ASAP!! Header going to be black???
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Blake
Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 03:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Both axles are high strength stainless steel.
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Charlieboy6649
Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 08:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I say soak the out if it with some break free. Gun solvent would probably even work. Coax it along with a large wooden dowel covered in a cloth maybe?
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Darthane
Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 11:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Odie, I did post pics of it. It's in the thread titled "...and the 'bolt lives on..." in the XBoard's August 16th Archive.

I'll post more pics when I get the header, pucks, and heel guards on. Possibly not until after the RtR adventure. Not sure if I'll have the time/motivations for the header before then. I still need to get my fork oil changed and the brake fluid as well.
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Wyckedflesh
Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 11:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Remove the forks from the triple so that you can get the assembly out without causing damage to the forks. Then you can work on freeing the bearings from the axle with more room to work. If you are careful and take your time, you can slip the caliper off without turning the forkleg or cracking open the brakeline at the caliper, just take your time about it.
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Starter
Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 05:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"The tech said that they got everything loose and it spins but the bearings are stuck to the axle."

If that were my bike I'd be a little worried about the condition of my forks. I got the same problem and first question I'm going to ask the dealer is to explain how they are planning to do it without spreading the crap outta my forks.

This should be covered by warranty?

(Message edited by starter on September 05, 2004)
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Charlieboy6649
Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 05:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just do what OCC does. If the 1st hammer doesn't work, get a bigger one and swing away! LOL
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Starter
Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 06:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Done that already.
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Odie
Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 09:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Darthane, I really want to see your header when it's finished.
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Starter
Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 11:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It's in the shop as we speak. Looks like I'll be paying if they can get it out regardless of the time it takes.
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Paulinoz
Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 08:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"to explain how they are planning to do it without spreading the crap outta my forks."
Dont know the correct way but whan I removed my axle had the same problem, so put a clamp from one fork to the other through the wheel with some plastic blocks to protect fork legs and just screwed the axle out.
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Wyckedflesh
Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 10:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

As I posted above, I know one shop that had the problem simply slipped the forks out of the trees. This let them work on the bearings without fear of damaging the forks. Also once they got the threaded side unscrewed, the wheel slipped off that side and left them with only one bearing to remove from the axle. BTW that bearing was black, not orange.
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Starter
Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 12:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well it got fixed for a minimal fee which is kinda good. I was under the impression it would have been a straight out warranty job but apparently not according to the service manager. I have a pretty good idea in my head how the job was done, I don't really want to imagine it but I know it involved a hammer and another object - most probably and big screw driver or cold chisel. They did however put a nice hit mark on the axle end. Job done so hopefully nothing was damaged.
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Fullpower
Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 08:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

to confirm: the axles are a magnetic stainless steel alloy. mine shipped from the factory dry, but are now lightly coated with antiseize lubricant.
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Slowby
Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 01:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

they coat the brgs w/ antisieze not the axel.
so some rub's away.
just a hint brgs don't like antisieze i use brg grease which does just fine.
make sure you wipe your axel after antisiese so as you don't have clumps that can creep in your brgs.
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Rooster2168
Posted on Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 09:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The exact same thing happened to my firebolt. Rear axle froze to the bearings when it was time for a new tire. Less than 3000 miles. They said it wasn't covered under warranty.? They said "Oh they come dry from the factory". Why don't the idiots put some kind of lube on them? I mean they do a inspection to get the bike ready. Oh nevermind its not a Harley so it doesn't count I guess.
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Fullpower
Posted on Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 10:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

the axles are very easy to remove. the tool is under the seat of the S model. if you suspect that your axles are dry, i recommend removing them both soon ( you will need tires on anyway) and lightly lubricating them both ( i used antiseize) upon installation.
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Rooster2168
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 06:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Both of mine are done now. I just thing that is something that should come done from the factory.
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Evil_twin
Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 05:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Upon further inspection of the situation at hand, I have come to the conclusion that the bearings are not the problem. It seems to me that they couldn't get the axle shaft undone at all. I can't even get the thing to break free. I believe that the threads of the axle are stuck in the fork end. I have it soaking with P B'laster as we speak. I will try and break it free again, tonight when I get home from work.

I will keep you all informed of my findings.

Rich
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Dbird29
Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 07:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Reverse threads? I think there is an arrow showing rotation direction.
Might check that.
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Evil_twin
Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 08:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah, they are reverse threads and there is a little L with the direction on the fork end.

I won't get home 'til 9:30-10, tonight, so I will see if I can get 'er loose then.


Rich
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Evil_twin
Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 01:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well got home tonight and went to town on the bike. I took Paulinoz advice, used a semi-large C-clamp, some terry cloth towels and some small wooden blocks, rigged it through the rim to keep the forks from spreading. Turned it in small increments and continually soaked it with lubricant. And..... Taadaa......

My front wheel has been released from it's evil captor. I'm going to have the new tire mounted in the morning and she'll be back on the road by tomorrow night.

I would like to thank everyone for the input, and a special thanks to Paul. I owe ya one.

Rich
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