Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Screwed this up

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 29, 2015 | 09:00 PM
  #11  
James K's Avatar
James K
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 335
Likes: 2
From: Taylorsville, Utah
Default

Originally Posted by Speleo
I was using a torque wrench at the time... Thought it was weird that it was not hitting the limit. Not sure if the cap was split when I started. Might as well replace both while I am there. Thanks
Were you using a INCH POUNDS torque wrench?
 
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2015 | 09:03 PM
  #12  
qtrracer's Avatar
qtrracer
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
Default

Use a combination wrench and you'll be fine. They are the length they are for the size nut/bolt they turn for a reason.
 
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2015 | 11:13 PM
  #13  
wscott's Avatar
wscott
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
Default

Originally Posted by santajim
Make SURE when you put it back together that you walk the cap up a little at a time by going back and forth from one nut to the other.
============================

A=md to add to that dont forget to use some blue loctite when installing the new studs for axle cap in the forks and also on other ends when tightening the axle nuts too.

Scott
 
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2015 | 01:21 AM
  #14  
Imold's Avatar
Imold
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Default

Originally Posted by Speleo
I was using a torque wrench at the time... Thought it was weird that it was not hitting the limit. Not sure if the cap was split when I started. Might as well replace both while I am there. Thanks
If someone put it on before you and just used gorilla arm "make it tight", could have stretched the studs till they wouldn't handle proper torque next time. I've had bolts and studs snap way before they reached recommended torque with a torque wrench; it can happen. If you got the bike used, or someone else has worked on it, blame them.
 
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2015 | 04:47 AM
  #15  
foxtrapper's Avatar
foxtrapper
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Navy
Veteran: National Guard
10 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Community Team
Default

Originally Posted by Speleo
I was using a torque wrench at the time... Thought it was weird that it was not hitting the limit. Not sure if the cap was split when I started. Might as well replace both while I am there. Thanks
Just a speculation, based on observation of what I see. You didn't have the wheel held up into the fork and were pulling it up with the cap. That's not a good way to put it together. Either shim the wheel up into the fork, or lower the bike down onto the axle, then attach the cap. You don't need the bike sitting heavy on the axle (which would make adjustment impossible), but you do want minimal clearance. The cap studs are small and not well suited to lifting the comparatively heavy wheel assembly up into the fork.
 
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2015 | 05:35 AM
  #16  
lp's Avatar
lp
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
Default

Originally Posted by foxtrapper
Just a speculation, based on observation of what I see. You didn't have the wheel held up into the fork and were pulling it up with the cap. That's not a good way to put it together. Either shim the wheel up into the fork, or lower the bike down onto the axle, then attach the cap. You don't need the bike sitting heavy on the axle (which would make adjustment impossible), but you do want minimal clearance. The cap studs are small and not well suited to lifting the comparatively heavy wheel assembly up into the fork.
To me it looks everything was assembled correctly (the axle is resting in the fork) and he simply used a foot pounds torque wrench to over tighten the nuts which spread the studs outward at the ends as they stick out of the Cap.

100 something Foot Pounds later (which is crazy to think a little nut/stud would require that - first clue) the Cap broke and he looked and went "Uh Oh! Look what I dids!" It happens... I guess...
 

Last edited by lp; Jan 30, 2015 at 05:38 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2015 | 06:52 AM
  #17  
1flhtk4me's Avatar
1flhtk4me
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Default

Originally Posted by Speleo
I was using a torque wrench at the time...
At what setting?
 
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2015 | 07:22 AM
  #18  
Expat1's Avatar
Expat1
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
Default

Originally Posted by davidwruth
+1 on the little heat. Need something to help fight the loctite
A low intensity arc welder connected across your two studs will slowly build up heat across the two threads you need to loosen and will not damage the varnish of the fork. An electrician can promptly do this for you while you keep your attention on the temperature of the fork leg. Time is your ally in this case.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 30, 2015 | 09:36 AM
  #19  
Speleo's Avatar
Speleo
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Veteran: Army
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 553
Likes: 456
From: Fort Wayne in
Default

Originally Posted by 1flhtk4me
At what setting?
About 10 ft lbs.
 
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2015 | 10:01 AM
  #20  
Buelligan666's Avatar
Buelligan666
Grand HDF Member
10 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 1,601
From: Eastern Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Expat1
A low intensity arc welder connected across your two studs will slowly build up heat across the two threads you need to loosen and will not damage the varnish of the fork. An electrician can promptly do this for you while you keep your attention on the temperature of the fork leg. Time is your ally in this case.
I don't recommend this procedure. You don't want to heat the studs. They will expand with heat and be harder to remove. You want to heat the lower so it expands. It's aluminum so a little heat goes a long way. Arcing electricity has potential for personal injury or worse. Not to mention the electrical system on the bike may be damaged. Just my .02˘ as an electrician.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:41 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE