Overtightened Front Axle?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Battle Ground, Washington
I removed and reinstalled the front fender about a week ago. Put everything back together, followed the shop manual carefully with regard to everything including torque settings. Now I swear it feels like the bike is fighting with me a little bit as I ride it. On a lift the wheel turns smoothly, doesn't seem to catch or hang up anywhere as it rotates. The front brake caliper seemed extremely tight after I reinstalled and pumped the brake as the manual instructs. I did bleed the front brakes but still the same, seems tight. Again, no catching or excessive rubbing while on the lift. Could just be my imagination?? I was just curious as to whether or not there is a quick way to diagnose if I overtightened it or not--you know, affected the bearing in doing so.....maybe had the torque set too high and didn't know it?
I removed and reinstalled the front fender about a week ago. Put everything back together, followed the shop manual carefully with regard to everything including torque settings. Now I swear it feels like the bike is fighting with me a little bit as I ride it. On a lift the wheel turns smoothly, doesn't seem to catch or hang up anywhere as it rotates. The front brake caliper seemed extremely tight after I reinstalled and pumped the brake as the manual instructs. I did bleed the front brakes but still the same, seems tight. Again, no catching or excessive rubbing while on the lift. Could just be my imagination?? I was just curious as to whether or not there is a quick way to diagnose if I overtightened it or not--you know, affected the bearing in doing so.....maybe had the torque set too high and didn't know it?
Does the handle bars get a vibration in them when going into a curve to the right or left?
The reason I ask these questions is, these were the symptoms I was experiencing with an over tightend front wheel from the dealer.
It took about 3 weeks before I really started to notice anything was wrong, when the wheel bearings finally gave up and I went to remove the front wheel, I had to use an impact to remove the large axle nut!!
2006-2007 the large axle nut on the left should be torqued to 50-55Ft lbs
2008-present large axle nut on the left should be torqued to 60-65ft lbs
And never use an impact to tighten them!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Battle Ground, Washington
Thanks for the responses above. I do have a decent torque wrench (Snap-On). I did go to 65 ft-lbs when I reinstalled, but I have a tendency to "go tight" and often have to double-check myself. I'll back it off and re-tighten it.
I am not getting noise from the wheel, and I am not getting any vibrations in the grips or handlebars during turns.
I am not getting noise from the wheel, and I am not getting any vibrations in the grips or handlebars during turns.
Stage III
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: CA
Hi guys, and gal's, yes cheap torque wrench, over tighten the front axle, now when i try to torque it to the right lb's, wheel won't turn and when it's not tighten down the speedo gear grabs and pulls the cable up! Any ideas?
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R & R wheel bearings, now.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Simi Valley, CA
To the OP. I don't think there are any symptoms to overtorquing the front axle. And if there are, I'd like someone to explain what they might be and what causes them.
Furthermore, discounting the question from the guy with the 1992 bike (different type bearings I believe), could someone explain how overtorquing the axle could have any detrimental effect on a late model bike short of stripping the threads. I hear these stories of overtorquing destroying bearings but I just don't see how that could happen unless you're missing the spacer or have an incorrect length spacer between the bearings.
Anyone?
Furthermore, discounting the question from the guy with the 1992 bike (different type bearings I believe), could someone explain how overtorquing the axle could have any detrimental effect on a late model bike short of stripping the threads. I hear these stories of overtorquing destroying bearings but I just don't see how that could happen unless you're missing the spacer or have an incorrect length spacer between the bearings.
Anyone?
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 14
From: connecticut
To the OP. I don't think there are any symptoms to overtorquing the front axle. And if there are, I'd like someone to explain what they might be and what causes them.
Furthermore, discounting the question from the guy with the 1992 bike (different type bearings I believe), could someone explain how overtorquing the axle could have any detrimental effect on a late model bike short of stripping the threads. I hear these stories of overtorquing destroying bearings but I just don't see how that could happen unless you're missing the spacer or have an incorrect length spacer between the bearings.
Anyone?
Furthermore, discounting the question from the guy with the 1992 bike (different type bearings I believe), could someone explain how overtorquing the axle could have any detrimental effect on a late model bike short of stripping the threads. I hear these stories of overtorquing destroying bearings but I just don't see how that could happen unless you're missing the spacer or have an incorrect length spacer between the bearings.
Anyone?
When you tighten the shaft nut you are against a shoulder and spacers no way to over tighten on late model hd.