Axle cam adjuster question
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,622
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From: South of Raleigh, and west of the coast, NC.
Axle cam adjuster question
I noticed that when I torque the axle cone nut to specs the cam adjuster slips and does not rest against weldment. I can get a .025 feeler gage in between the weldment and cam. I noticed that my belt tension was a little loose and was going to tighten it. The cam adjuster (non-welded RH side) when it is on the axle had about .030-.045 up-down play and slips when tightened. Any one ever experience this and what did you do to cure the problem. Open to any suggestions.....
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 685
Likes: 123
From: NW Suburburbs of Chicago
As you are tightening the nut, what direction are you pulling the wrench/ratchet, toward the back of the bike, upward, toward the front of the bike or downward? I know you are tightening but I am wondering about the relation of the wrench to the bike as you pull. I am guessing you are pulling toward the back of the bike and it may be pulling the entire axle back, leaving the gap. Just a guess on my part.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,520
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
Best thing to do is mark the cam with a marker before taking a wheel off. Then you use two wrenches when you put it back on so you hold it as stated above. The mark will get it pretty close, but you still should check belt tension when done.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 45
From: Michigan
I just pulled my wheel and installed a chrome one . I took a piece of 3/4 inch masking tape and put it on each side of the axle and marked it with a sharpie . Then i took a razor blade and cut the tape thru the gap between the cam and the frame tab.. When i re installed the wheel i set it to the fixed side (welded cam) and the loose side (right side) didnt line up. I had to rotate the cam and that was easily enuff done but it should fit better .. I only used 1 wrench then a socket and torque wrench on the rear axle and it worked just fine.. Yup quality control lacks on the rear axle assembly.. the right side cam should fit a lot better.
Dave
Dave
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,622
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From: South of Raleigh, and west of the coast, NC.
Have done all that..... the cam adjuster it self (RH side) slips because it is not snug on the axle flat itself... seems to have about .030-.040 play and when tightened pressure of cone nut causes it to slip down while the LH side(welded) stays sung against weldment. Just wondered if anyone has seen this before...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,622
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From: South of Raleigh, and west of the coast, NC.
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Intermediate
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From: connecticut
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Indian Land, SC
You have to hold the adjusting side cam nut while tightening the other side. I did mine last week and the belt tension got loose twice while I tried to tighten the nut without holding the other side. Finally wised up and used a huge crescent wrench to hold the cam nut. It would be nice if you didn't have to hold it but that's the price we pay for working on our bikes.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 42
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From: connecticut
when i torque the right side nut, i dont loose belt tension the right cam adjuster pulls away from the swing arm about a 1/8. tried never seize on back of nut. same results. if the cam fit the axle snug it wouldnt be a issue. thanks