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Gap in Axle

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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 07:24 AM
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Default Gap in Axle


I just had my front tire replaced and noticed this gap between the axle and fork. Is this normal?
The bike is a 2016 Softail Slim S.
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Last edited by NCBANDIT; Aug 8, 2021 at 08:03 AM.
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 07:38 AM
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A gap like that will allow side to side movement of the front wheel and put pressure on the rotor/caliper. What does the other side look like and is the front wheel centered. I would lift the front end off the ground and see if there is any lateral movement. Don't forget to pull the caliper off of the mount or that will hold the wheel in place. If they reversed the spacers it would just move the wheel off center. Its almost as if they used a spacer off of a different bike.
 
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Yamaharley
A gap like that will allow side to side movement of the front wheel and put pressure on the rotor/caliper. What does the other side look like and is the front wheel centered. I would lift the front end off the ground and see if there is any lateral movement. Don't forget to pull the caliper off of the mount or that will hold the wheel in place. If they reversed the spacers it would just move the wheel off center. Its almost as if they used a spacer off of a different bike.
Thanks for the quick reply. The wheel is perfectly centered and the other side has no gap at all so it would be unlikely any movement is possible but obviously if this is not correct I need to have it fixed. Any other Slim owners have any pics they can share?
 
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 07:52 AM
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I would ask those who serviced your bike if they would check their bucket were the janitor empties his pan at the end of the day for a tapered cone hub cap and two small spacers and alignment shim to center cap if it's a 2017 slim

If they still have it, just tell them thanks and try to find someone who knows Harley's .

Now you are just as bad since all Harleys are not the same. If we knew what you had, a fish on Ronnies will show us what's missing .

Welcome from Hampton Roads Virginia USA!

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Last edited by Jackie Paper; Aug 8, 2021 at 08:05 AM.
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 08:12 AM
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Originally Posted by RIPSAW
I would ask those who serviced your bike if they would check their bucket were the janitor empties his pan at the end of the day for a tapered cone hub cap and two small spacers and alignment shim to center cap if it's a 2017 slim

If they still have it, just tell them thanks and try to find someone who knows Harley's .

Now you are just as bad since all Harleys are not the same. If we knew what you had, a fish on Ronnies will show us what's missing .

Welcome from Hampton Roads Virginia USA!

Just in case you have not done both of these two important items!

Be sure to add an Avatar of your favorite shot in the USER set up for the small picture others will see in the top left corner of your post with your USER name.

And most importantly a Signature Line in your USER set up for your bike model, year, and all the letters that Harley recognizes it with that others see at the bottom.

This enables others to know your exact model if you ever ask a question or another member interested in it may ask you a question about it.

​​Your all set.... Enjoy the ride! ______________



​​​​​​
I have a signature set up so not sure why it didn't show. I haven't posted in awhile though.

So your saying this is normal for the Slim and I'm good to go?
 
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 08:33 AM
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There is a step on the axle, it is pressing against the spacer.

To ease your mind, loosen the axle nut, remove the cap, bump the axle a little bit toward the right side of bike, you will see the step.

Reassemble per the service manual (torque axle nut, then install cap and torque nuts).
 

Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Aug 8, 2021 at 08:38 AM.
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC
There is a step on the axle, it is pressing against the spacer.

To ease your mind, loosen the axle nut, remove the cap, bump the axle a little bit toward the right side of bike, you will see the step.

Reassemble per the service manual (torque axle nut, then install cap and torque nuts).
It just made sense after reading this and looking at the parts fiche. That bike would of had a salad bowl on that side of the front wheel, with a step in the axle it would give it the proper space so it wouldn't bind. It just looks wrong without the cover. I always thought the bowl had a flat bottom so it wouldn't touch the forks but it seems the axle is stepped to keep a proper gap.
 
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by NCBANDIT
I have a signature set up so not sure why it didn't show. I haven't posted in awhile though.

So your saying this is normal for the Slim and I'm good to go?
Not sure where you got that. I said I think you are missing 3 parts.
 
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 09:27 PM
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Some of you are not reading that illustrated parts diagram correctly...

The mini hubcap may be shown in the illustration, but if you try to find detail 16 on the parts list, you will see that it is not listed, meaning it is not used on the 2016 Softail Slim S.
 
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC
There is a step on the axle, it is pressing against the spacer.

To ease your mind, loosen the axle nut, remove the cap, bump the axle a little bit toward the right side of bike, you will see the step.

Reassemble per the service manual (torque axle nut, then install cap and torque nuts).
^^ this too is my guess. My old Fatboy axle had a step. If assembled improperly it had a 'gap'
~
 
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