swingarm pivot axle seized
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 2,570
From: NC USA
swingarm pivot axle seized
I'm in a mess.
Tried to change my isolators and twisted off one end of the swing arm pivot axle. It's so frozen I had to torch the cup washer to get the isolator off and hitting the shaft with an 8" x 1.5" solid steel drift and 3 lb sledge, is like hitting a 300 pound anvil. I'm sure it's seized in the transmission and possibly the bearings as well.
Plan is to "try" moving the swing arm as far up as possible and use a sawzall to cut at the tapered, inboard bearing spacer between the tube and transmission to cut the axle and get the swing arm out. (I dread the "f" out that part and not sure I can). Then I'll use a long drill bit on the axle, all the way thru the trans and blow it out with a torch. Thought about heating the trans at the bore, but figure it'd get so hot before I did any good, it'd cook the seals.
I know somebody on here had this same problem, but that was years ago and I don't think they ever followed. So... if anyone has done this before, or has and suggestions, I'm all ears. Otherwise, I need a valium. lol
Tried to change my isolators and twisted off one end of the swing arm pivot axle. It's so frozen I had to torch the cup washer to get the isolator off and hitting the shaft with an 8" x 1.5" solid steel drift and 3 lb sledge, is like hitting a 300 pound anvil. I'm sure it's seized in the transmission and possibly the bearings as well.
Plan is to "try" moving the swing arm as far up as possible and use a sawzall to cut at the tapered, inboard bearing spacer between the tube and transmission to cut the axle and get the swing arm out. (I dread the "f" out that part and not sure I can). Then I'll use a long drill bit on the axle, all the way thru the trans and blow it out with a torch. Thought about heating the trans at the bore, but figure it'd get so hot before I did any good, it'd cook the seals.
I know somebody on here had this same problem, but that was years ago and I don't think they ever followed. So... if anyone has done this before, or has and suggestions, I'm all ears. Otherwise, I need a valium. lol
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 2,076
From: Masshole
May be an obvious question but have you been spraying it down with a good quality penetrating lubricant on every joint you can get at? My go to is Kroil but can be a bit hard to find in some areas. Seafoam Deep Creep would be my 2nd choice. Spray every few hours with a lot of light tapping to help it get in there.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,096
Likes: 51,357
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Last time I ran into a frozen swingarm pivot bolt it took 2 diamond hacksaw blades and ended up with another trans case & swingarm before the cussing was done . I'd sell bike before doing that fight again.
Find some Kroil, put a pan under it and soak things several times over a few days then try again.
Amazon has roil
Find some Kroil, put a pan under it and soak things several times over a few days then try again.
Amazon has roil
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Jun 12, 2020 at 06:14 PM.
Thread Starter
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 2,570
From: NC USA
Last time I ran into a frozen swingarm pivot bolt it took 2 diamond hacksaw blades and ended up with another trans case & swingarm before the cussing was done . I'd sell bike before doing that fight again.
Find some Kroil, put a pan under it and soak things several times over a few days then try again.
Amazon has Kroil
Find some Kroil, put a pan under it and soak things several times over a few days then try again.
Amazon has Kroil
No Chopper, I haven't sprayed anything except acetylene and oxygen. I figured since I'll probably have to "drill and blast" regardless, didn't want any more flammable stuff dripping than I already have under there. Seriously, it's solid feeling. Torching off the left cup washer, I heated the left bearing enough to smell the loctite sleeve retainer turning loose in the bore. Haven't taken the exhaust and isolator mount off the right side yet but the cup washers were stuck to the shaft on both sides. (?)
I did ponder the notion of drilling a grease fitting size hole on top of the trans bore and soaking thru there. It's possible the shaft is only stuck to the aluminum bushing centers of the bearing inserts. (well, I can dream can't I?)
The more I think about the angle I'd have to approach with a saw it doesn't look like I could get all the way thru the shaft because of the gussets trying to save this swingarm. I may be better off to (try to) rent a big angle grinder and use an 8 or 9" cutoff wheel and write off this swing arm all together since the gussets won't let me get to the inner sides of the tubes. Hate that, cause it's a good one. I'm gonna have to get another bearing conversion kit anyway. Don't remember the brand I used but got the kit from Debrix years ago. I distinctly remember the bushings and bearing center adapters were aluminum. And, the bearings are outboard in the tubes (like the V-Twin Mfg kits) so cutting near the transmission would be easiest.
TwiZted, I'd be gracious to hear a play by play of all you tried (pm or post) if you care to share, and if you don't think you'd have nightmares for a month trying to recall your ordeal.
If all else fails, I have some military surplus suicide pills. But they're past the expiration date and I'm afraid they might make me sick if I took one. lol
Last edited by t150vej; Jun 12, 2020 at 07:22 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
Likes: 323
From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
Take 2 valium! First, I have not had to do this, and never want to. I really hope you can save everything, and only lose that pivot shaft. Looks like you already have looked at several options, even cutting.
For those who are successful, I think patience was the key. Here's a couple of things to consider (not in order, just thinking this through):
- Jack tranny up, then down to see if it moves on the pivot bolt. Continue to do so to see if pivot bolt will un-freeze. Shoot some lube where you can get it between the tranny and swingarm. Remove wheel and shocks. Push up and down on swingarm to see if it's stuck. More lubricant and patience.
- Lean your bike over on it's side and soak with Kroil, PB Blaster, ATF, WD-40, etc... There lots of information out there as to what is the best lubrication, so look into that. Soak, wait, heat, and try to drive pivot through. Repeat for several days.
- Soak, heat, hammer drill, soak, heat, hammer drill repeat...
- Stand bike up and put large breaker on opposite side with nut and try to turn. Soak, turn, soak.
Unsavory options:
-Cut pivot bolt from underneath.
-If you can't cut neatly, remove tranny and swingarm.
-Continue soak and drive
-10 ton press
OK, I'm gonna take a valium now just thinking about having to do a job like this. There's no easy, just patience and luck. Hope you get it.
For those who are successful, I think patience was the key. Here's a couple of things to consider (not in order, just thinking this through):
- Jack tranny up, then down to see if it moves on the pivot bolt. Continue to do so to see if pivot bolt will un-freeze. Shoot some lube where you can get it between the tranny and swingarm. Remove wheel and shocks. Push up and down on swingarm to see if it's stuck. More lubricant and patience.
- Lean your bike over on it's side and soak with Kroil, PB Blaster, ATF, WD-40, etc... There lots of information out there as to what is the best lubrication, so look into that. Soak, wait, heat, and try to drive pivot through. Repeat for several days.
- Soak, heat, hammer drill, soak, heat, hammer drill repeat...
- Stand bike up and put large breaker on opposite side with nut and try to turn. Soak, turn, soak.
Unsavory options:
-Cut pivot bolt from underneath.
-If you can't cut neatly, remove tranny and swingarm.
-Continue soak and drive
-10 ton press
OK, I'm gonna take a valium now just thinking about having to do a job like this. There's no easy, just patience and luck. Hope you get it.
Last edited by daven9113; Jun 13, 2020 at 12:07 AM.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
The only time I got stuck I managed to 'worry' the axle out, although I did so over a period of a few days, sometimes just standing and glaring at the darned thing for a few minutes! I used a penetrating fluid and lots of gentle 'precision impact technology' as my brother calls wielding a hammer - carefully. Can't off anything more I'm afraid!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 507
From: Florida
[QUOTE=t150vej;19188021]Selling the bike is not an option.
I did ponder the notion of drilling a grease fitting size hole on top of the trans bore and soaking thru there. It's possible the shaft is only stuck to the aluminum bushing centers of the bearing inserts. (well, I can dream can't I?)
This is what I would do. Drill the hole to affix a hose that won't leak, and attach a cup to other end. Fill cup with penetrating oil and let soak. You'll see the volume drop if it's working.
Patients is key. Could take "awhile".
I did ponder the notion of drilling a grease fitting size hole on top of the trans bore and soaking thru there. It's possible the shaft is only stuck to the aluminum bushing centers of the bearing inserts. (well, I can dream can't I?)
This is what I would do. Drill the hole to affix a hose that won't leak, and attach a cup to other end. Fill cup with penetrating oil and let soak. You'll see the volume drop if it's working.
Patients is key. Could take "awhile".
Last edited by V-Twins & Bowties; Jun 13, 2020 at 04:02 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 6,062
From: Black Hills
I did one years ago and did the same things TB recommended - it just took time but I was lucky and I was able to lean the bike over so the lubricant could work it's way down the shaft by gravity. I pounded and pounded with a rubber mallet then tried to rotate it until I got it to move, then back and forth, more lube, back and forth, more pounding. You get the picture. Keep at it and be patient it's a PITA but don't give up. The shaft got a very liberal amount of anti-seize on re-assembly. Good luck.