Rear Axle
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: Deming, NM
Rear Axle
Looks simple enough to me, but I should ask before I mess something up.
My rear axle goes through the hub starting on the right side (muffler side) and comes out the belt drive pulley side with the big bolt on that side. To get the shaft out, I have to drop the mufflers and slide it out the right side because the hex end of the shaft hits the muffler bracket preventing the swing arm to drop.
In looking at it, why can't I slide the axle back in reverse starting on the left and bolting it tight on the right side since I already have the mufflers off? Is there a reason I'm missing?
Then I wouldn't have to pull the mufflers every time I take the wheel off.
My rear axle goes through the hub starting on the right side (muffler side) and comes out the belt drive pulley side with the big bolt on that side. To get the shaft out, I have to drop the mufflers and slide it out the right side because the hex end of the shaft hits the muffler bracket preventing the swing arm to drop.
In looking at it, why can't I slide the axle back in reverse starting on the left and bolting it tight on the right side since I already have the mufflers off? Is there a reason I'm missing?
Then I wouldn't have to pull the mufflers every time I take the wheel off.
Last edited by The Twigster; Jun 24, 2014 at 04:27 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
Ah, that old chestnut.
People do swap it around and it seems OK.
My personal opinion though is that if you think about the force on the axle it tends to screw it into the nut and so keep it tight. If you put it in the other way around the forces would act to loosen it.
People do swap it around and it seems OK.
My personal opinion though is that if you think about the force on the axle it tends to screw it into the nut and so keep it tight. If you put it in the other way around the forces would act to loosen it.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, Cali
Quite a few guys swap the axle around, to make tire changes easier. I haven't heard of anyone having a problem with it. I guess if you wanted to test the theory above, you could always put an index mark on the axle, and swingarm, and see if it truly does rotate. I have a short exhaust setup, so I dont have to worry about clearance.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
I watched an HD tek do mine a couple of times. Lift the rear of the bike so the back wheel is well off the ground . Remove the retaing clip the axle bolt and washer. loosen the belt adjustment - both sides several turns. Then remove the brake pads and rotate the caliper up. Then loosen the upper shock bolts both sides, remove the lower shock bolts and let the wheel down until your done sliding the axle out. Your back wheel should just roll out.
All this is straight out of the 2008 manual. That book is one of the best tools I have bought.
++ What he said!
All this is straight out of the 2008 manual. That book is one of the best tools I have bought.
++ What he said!
Last edited by maddghost; Jun 24, 2014 at 09:10 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 11
From: PacNW; Beacon of Conservatism in a Sea of Liberals.......AZ Snowbird; Just another Conservative
Same gripe...gonna do it to mine when I put the rear wheel back in after new tire & bearings. I have the axle covers, so I'm gonna have to have the end of the axle cut down a little because the right-side cover is shallower than the left.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 848
Likes: 30
From: CO
I watched an HD tek do mine a couple of times. Lift the rear of the bike so the back wheel is well off the ground . Remove the retaing clip the axle bolt and washer. loosen the belt adjustment - both sides several turns. Then remove the brake pads and rotate the caliper up. Then loosen the upper shock bolts both sides, remove the lower shock bolts and let the wheel down until your done sliding the axle out. Your back wheel should just roll out.
All this is straight out of the 2008 manual. That book is one of the best tools I have bought.
++ What he said!
All this is straight out of the 2008 manual. That book is one of the best tools I have bought.
++ What he said!
Oh and if I recall my manual correctly, it says to remove the exhaust first.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
I did mention my bike is a '08. Maybe in their infinite wisdom HD changed something, you have a '13 bike and we don't even know what year the op's bike is!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 848
Likes: 30
From: CO
I just went back to the manual and they make no mention of removing the mufflers. If the bike is lifted high enough then the rear fork should just be free to drop depending on the space you have created.
I did mention my bike is a '08. Maybe in their infinite wisdom HD changed something, you have a '13 bike and we don't even know what year the op's bike is!
I did mention my bike is a '08. Maybe in their infinite wisdom HD changed something, you have a '13 bike and we don't even know what year the op's bike is!