Rear Axle Covers
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
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Rear Axle Covers
I suppose this is an odd question but I recently purchased a set of chrome rear axle covers for my '02 Fatty. In order to install them, I have to loosen the adjuster bolts. Do I need to just snug them back up when I'm done or do I actually have to count the threads to make sure they are the same on both sides? This will be a garage floor project and I assume the wheel will not move but I've never performed this operation before. Thanks in advance.
I usually count how many turns when loosening the adjusters so I know how far to turn them back when tightening them. They say the belt should be able to be twisted at a 45 degree angle when it is set right. Without you sitting on it.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: NORTH CAROLINA
Dozer...i assume you are talking about loosening the jam nuts not the adjusting bolts. That being the case, your adjustment will not change. However when you install the bracket and tighten the jam nut make sure you thoroughly tighten it. If your exhaust is in the way on the right side, use a "crows foot"...9/16". Good luck!
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WFA,
I may have my terminology screwed up. The covers I bought are from Custom Chrome and they have 2 holes in them. What I thought was called an adjuster bolt goes through one of the holes and the other hole is for a small allen head screw to thighten the cover on the axel nut or housing. My concern was that if I loosen the bolts, do I need to make sure they are exactly the same on each side when I tighten them. Again, I may be usiing the wrong wording but it does make sense that they would need to be the same to keep the wheel straight.
I may have my terminology screwed up. The covers I bought are from Custom Chrome and they have 2 holes in them. What I thought was called an adjuster bolt goes through one of the holes and the other hole is for a small allen head screw to thighten the cover on the axel nut or housing. My concern was that if I loosen the bolts, do I need to make sure they are exactly the same on each side when I tighten them. Again, I may be usiing the wrong wording but it does make sense that they would need to be the same to keep the wheel straight.
Last edited by Dozer1; Aug 6, 2009 at 06:42 PM.
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When I put my axle covers on, I used a white out pen and marked the thread just beyond the nut so that when I tighted everything back up, after installing covers, I knew that I everything lined up and had a reference point to work with.
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Get a set of calipers or sewing ruler($1.50 at walmart) to measure the adjuster bolt. Using the adjusters and checking the alignment of the rear wheel is really a basic procedure you should be familiar with.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 7
From: NORTH CAROLINA
dozer...i assume you are talking about loosening the jam nuts not the adjusting bolts. That being the case, your adjustment will not change. However when you install the bracket and tighten the jam nut make sure you thoroughly tighten it. If your exhaust is in the way on the right side, use a "crows foot"...9/16". Good luck!