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Compensating Sprocket Nut

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Old 01-19-2012, 06:49 PM
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Default Compensating Sprocket Nut

Having problems with breaking the compensator nut loose. It is on my 1976 FLH and has probably never been off. I have locked the sprockets so there is no motor movement and put a 2 foot breaker bar and sprocket on the nut and have pt my whole 215 lbs on the bar with no movement at all. I know these cause problems some time. Any suggestions?

I should add that I have an impact, but my compressor is not giving me enough pressure to make a difference.
 

Last edited by Gully; 01-19-2012 at 06:53 PM.
  #2  
Old 01-20-2012, 09:38 AM
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Put some heat on it with a propane or oxy-acetylene torch.
Put the heat right on the head of it.
Start with maybe three minutes of it and try to loosen it.
Do it again if it still doesn't come loose.
The most stubborn one I have come across took three tries using a propane torch.
 
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Old 01-20-2012, 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by megawatt
Put some heat on it with a propane or oxy-acetylene torch.
Put the heat right on the head of it.
Start with maybe three minutes of it and try to loosen it.
Do it again if it still doesn't come loose.
The most stubborn one I have come across took three tries using a propane torch.
Old rule of thumb that has worked for me. Heat and cool 3 times and it will come loose!
 
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Old 01-20-2012, 10:27 AM
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Thanks for the responses, I will try the heat on it today and see how it goes.
 
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Old 01-20-2012, 09:50 PM
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Oil the impact and crank up the pressure some they are adjustable , and follow what's been said already about heat can't add to that . May be a pain in the *** but put your weight on it and hold it may take a full 60 seconds to break but steady prolonged pressure usually does it .
 
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Old 01-21-2012, 05:22 AM
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I had one that was stuck. I finally loaded the bike up and took it to a truck stop where they changed big rig tires and had a 3/4 impact. If you progress to this point, take your socket and a 3/4 to 1/2 adapter with you, unless your socket is already a 3/4 that you've stepped down. I know this is a pain, but the only other alternative is to cut the nut head off. I feel your pain. Let us know how it turns out.
 
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Old 01-21-2012, 08:58 AM
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Default comp nut removal

+2 on Al's method I did the same back in 95 Sometimes a 1/2 in drive electric will work if you go from forward to reverse several times (impact setting) after using a propane torch say for 10 seconds
 
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Old 01-21-2012, 09:04 AM
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I ended up using a 4ft pipe over the wrench handle and all my weight. You have to keep the pressure on for a while to break it loose.
 
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Old 01-21-2012, 03:17 PM
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Problem with the socket slipping off the shallow head of the nut and rounding off the nut!! Use 6-pt if you can for more contact. Use heat!!!!
 
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Old 01-21-2012, 06:54 PM
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Thanks for all the advise. I can honestly say I have never come up against a nut like this in my while life (except maybe my wife)..I am convinced that it is welded and I just can't see the bead! I have heated it (in 3 min increments) and let it cool several times, tried the 1/2 impact both ways for I don't know how long and am using a 3/4" drive and socket on a (new) 2 1/2 foot breaker bar and am lifting the rear of the bike right off the ground (on a stand to keep it upright) with the pressure on it....I need a way to strap the bike to the ground and get a pipe for more leverage...if that does not work then I give up and will load the bike up and take it to a garage...I hate giving up though! I am definitely no softy, but this bike is kicking my ***...(and back). Thanks again..that nut is coming off one way or another soon!
 


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