Tonight while checking belt tension on my 2018 softail I noticed that the washer that goes between the rear axle nut and the rear frame is rounded at the outside edge of the washer on one side only.
It would seem to me that the side with the rounded outside edge would go up against the rear frame. The other side of the washer is perfectly flat with no rounded off outside edge.
I don't know which way it came from the factory as I had a rear tire replaced a few weeks ago, but when they replaced the rear tire they placed the flat side in towards the frame and the rounded outside edge side outwards toward the axle nut. So which way is this washer suppose to go? Or does it matter? BTW the service manual doesn't indicate a preference as to which way the washer should face.

 

Do what I do when I find something on my bike that doesn't look quite right...go to the dealership & check out another bike the same as yours. EZPZ.

 

Yeah I plan on doing that tomorrow. But I don't think they have any new Softails at the dealership.

 

 

Thanks Bubba, a blind man can see that!?..

 

What is the reasoning for round side up against the frame?
My washer looks the same on both sides, never been monkeyed with:

 

Generally speaking the flat side of a washer goes against the item and rounded side next to the nut. The rounded side provides a more "pleasing finished look". The flat side more completely spreads the load against the component.