Rear axle nut
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 35
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Rear axle nut
Took the bike out for a quick ride to pay my car inspection fee. While I was outside talking to a guy about the bike, I looked down and noticed the rear axle was sticking out a good 3 in. Apparently I lost the nut at some point. Luckily I wasn't far from home and was able to leave the bike at the car dealership till I get a nut tomorrow. I had the back tire off to replace the drive belt. I know I torqued the nut down to the ft lbs according to the service manual. Has anyone else had this same problem before? My axle bolt does not have a cotter pin but after this episode, I think I'm going to get a cotter pin bolt, if possible.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 5
From: SoCal
I had a front axle show up as very loose once, but I found it during a routine inspection
I don't have a cotter on my rear axle, either. I just use liberal amounts of blue and haven't had it loosen ever
you could also stock up on "nylock" nuts. Can reuse them once or twice but aren't supposed to...they're not expensive
I don't have a cotter on my rear axle, either. I just use liberal amounts of blue and haven't had it loosen ever
you could also stock up on "nylock" nuts. Can reuse them once or twice but aren't supposed to...they're not expensive
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
Stuff like that should be re torqued after around 50 miles once everything has settled into place. Glad you found that one, It would have hurt!
you can also clamp the nut with a lock washer & another nut to jam it but I use loc tight & so far so good.
Hatch.
you can also clamp the nut with a lock washer & another nut to jam it but I use loc tight & so far so good.
Hatch.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 931
Likes: 112
From: Oregon
At the proper torque on mine, the nut is past the point where a cotter pin would do much good. A smidge of loctite and safety wire for me.
I know you're wondering, if a cotter pin won't work, why safety wire?????
Safety wire can be moved inward toward the castellations, unlike a cotter.
I know you're wondering, if a cotter pin won't work, why safety wire?????
Safety wire can be moved inward toward the castellations, unlike a cotter.
Last edited by lownslow; Jul 6, 2010 at 01:22 AM. Reason: More info
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
My Evo had a castle-nut and took a split pin, which I replaced with an R pin. Should be a hole in the axle? My 07 rear end takes a C clip, so it seems Harley have a policy of stopping these things going AWOL.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
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I felt very fortunate that I noticed the axle coming out before I took off on the bike. That could've been some serious road rash on the 'ol kiester. Worse yet, I might not be sitting here typing this out. I haven't had much luck with this bike since I got the first weekend of April. First the rear turn signal would only work sometimes so i played around with some wires and couldn't find a bad one. Found out its a problem with the module behind the headlight. Then my drive belt broke the thursday before Memorial day. Got the bike back together and on its second time out, I loose the axle nut. I'm afraid to think of whats next. I got a nut, loctite, and lock washer. That should be good enough for me to get it home. This will be something I check periodically from now on. Lesson learned, almost the hard way.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: Picayune, Ms.
I don't remember there being a figure to torque to. It only says "not to exceed" 60ft/lbs of torque to keep from damageing the wheel bearings. That is on my wife's '85 FXEF.
There should have been a lock washer behind the nut, and a large washer behind that, this is the only thing that has kept the nut on for over 85,000mi. on the FXEF.
I'd check and make sure the correct spacers are installed and installed correctly. I'd also check for a bent axel. But that is just me.
I even use anti-seize on the nuts/axels of both bikes, so I wonder why the nut came off??
Remember the nut does not tighten the bearings. It tightens the spacers which hold the bearings in place and sets the freeplay, thus the "Do not exceed limit".
There should have been a lock washer behind the nut, and a large washer behind that, this is the only thing that has kept the nut on for over 85,000mi. on the FXEF.
I'd check and make sure the correct spacers are installed and installed correctly. I'd also check for a bent axel. But that is just me.
I even use anti-seize on the nuts/axels of both bikes, so I wonder why the nut came off??
Remember the nut does not tighten the bearings. It tightens the spacers which hold the bearings in place and sets the freeplay, thus the "Do not exceed limit".