Drill bit to hold the front axle
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
Likes: 7,936
From: Long Island, New York
I think you have it backwards, the older bikes is just hold with a screwdriver, I think the newer manuals has the thing with the drill bit.
I believe it is to align the lower leg with the drill bit, so the spacing between the legs is to spec, not to hold the axle from spinning when tightening the nut. The leg should be touching the drill but, hence aligning it with the axle in some pre-determined manner.
Pretty sure my 2005 has this procedure, but I was just in the manual for my 1991, just hold with screw driver.
Hope this helps.
I believe it is to align the lower leg with the drill bit, so the spacing between the legs is to spec, not to hold the axle from spinning when tightening the nut. The leg should be touching the drill but, hence aligning it with the axle in some pre-determined manner.
Pretty sure my 2005 has this procedure, but I was just in the manual for my 1991, just hold with screw driver.
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
I think you have it backwards, the older bikes is just hold with a screwdriver, I think the newer manuals has the thing with the drill bit.
I believe it is to align the lower leg with the drill bit, so the spacing between the legs is to spec, not to hold the axle from spinning when tightening the nut. The leg should be touching the drill but, hence aligning it with the axle in some pre-determined manner.
Pretty sure my 2005 has this procedure, but I was just in the manual for my 1991, just hold with screw driver.
Hope this helps.
I believe it is to align the lower leg with the drill bit, so the spacing between the legs is to spec, not to hold the axle from spinning when tightening the nut. The leg should be touching the drill but, hence aligning it with the axle in some pre-determined manner.
Pretty sure my 2005 has this procedure, but I was just in the manual for my 1991, just hold with screw driver.
Hope this helps.
In another thead an '84 and an '85 manual says insert a 7/16ths drill bit into the hole in the axel then tighten the axle nut.
They even have a picture of it.
Personally I think it is a good way cut you hand open on the drill bit.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 8
From: Montgomery, AL
I figure they used a drill bit due the size and common item in a tool box. You just slide the bit in there and tighten the nut. Once the nut pulls it tight, there "shouldn't" be any movement. Then the forks will align properly with the axle.
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Do you know what year your manual was printed?
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
These guys managed to use the drill bit without cutting there hands off
Softail/Dyna Front Wheel & Caliper Re-install / Front Axle Alignment - PREVIEW - YouTube
Softail/Dyna Front Wheel & Caliper Re-install / Front Axle Alignment - PREVIEW - YouTube
If using a drill bit is such a great idea how come the last manual they put it in was the '85 manual? That I can find at least.
BTW I said cut you hand I said nothing about cutting your hand off.
It would take some real work to cut your hand off with a drill bit.
One last thing would you mind telling me why putting a drill bit into the hole and holding on to the cutting flutes is better than using a screwdriver to do the same thing?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Upstate New York
No mention of either a screwdriver OR a 7/16 drill bit in the '93/'94 Softail manual.
Wheel installation is described as follows: "Install the washer, lockwasher, and axle nut. tighten the slider cap nuts to 5-11 foot-pounds torque to prevent the axle from turning. Tighten the axle nut to 50 foot-pounds torque. Loosen, then tighten the slider cap nuts to 5-11 foot pounds torque."
Apparently, they're telling me to use the slider cap to hold the axle while tightening the nut, then I'm to loosen the slider cap nuts, to let the cap find its own correct location on the axle, then retighten the slider cap nuts again.
Wheel installation is described as follows: "Install the washer, lockwasher, and axle nut. tighten the slider cap nuts to 5-11 foot-pounds torque to prevent the axle from turning. Tighten the axle nut to 50 foot-pounds torque. Loosen, then tighten the slider cap nuts to 5-11 foot pounds torque."
Apparently, they're telling me to use the slider cap to hold the axle while tightening the nut, then I'm to loosen the slider cap nuts, to let the cap find its own correct location on the axle, then retighten the slider cap nuts again.