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Front axle not flush - problem?

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Old Mar 6, 2021 | 03:41 AM
  #1  
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Default Front axle not flush - problem?

Hi,

When putting the front wheel back on, I learned the hard way that my torque wrench was broken as it didn't click.
I overtightened the front wheel axle by a lot. When I understood what's happening, I backed it off, got another torque wrench and torqued it properly.

However, now my front wheel axle is not sitting flush with the fork as it used to, it sticks out 1 mm or so, see pictures.

I don't get any weird noises or rolling resistance, so is this bad/dangerous? If so, what should i replace?

It's for my Buell bike, but since they are somewhat related, I hope that's fine



 

Last edited by swebull; Mar 6, 2021 at 03:43 AM. Reason: Uploaded pictures
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Old Mar 6, 2021 | 05:19 AM
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Pull it apart and inspect the threads on the axle and the fork leg, Then thread the axle thru without the wheel (by hand) and see if you can feel any resistance or binding. If there is damage, you may be able to save it with a thread restorer (not a tap).

 
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Old Mar 17, 2021 | 11:18 AM
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Thanks, I have pulled it apart and it looks fine to me.
Uploaded the pictures, would really appreciate if someone could have a look and let me know if I'm missing anything
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/w2htcg9bv...Ggolfdila?dl=0
 
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Old Mar 18, 2021 | 08:43 AM
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if you really gorilla'd it, you may have stretched the threads and nothing will fix that. fly it and watch it as the saying goes, just aesthetics but if it bothers you, just shim the fork.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2021 | 06:39 PM
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That's why I was considering changing the axle, but I can't see anything indicating it's stretched or stripped.
I think I'll fly it and watch it, as you say
 
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Old Mar 19, 2021 | 07:40 AM
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the aluminum is softer than the steel axle.
 
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Old Mar 19, 2021 | 06:17 PM
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If it was mine, I would find out what changed. If it was flush before, and nothing changed, then it should go back flush. I would not chance it with a wheel assymbly. That could be deadly.
There is a chance its fine, but there is a chance its not.
 
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Old Mar 19, 2021 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by bustert
the aluminum is softer than the steel axle.
I agree with your thoughts. When you study the post pictures and the dropbox, over-torque would cut the steel axle shoulder which is not all that big too far into the slider and I assume the first poster is seeing that with the steel threads protruding what he says .039. Now I did not see it in the first place. I would think you would see it in the shoulder of the slider as a raised area. It would make you think the tread would be tight there also since it appears the shoulder is the threaded side. . It did not hurt the axle and the torque thru the bearings are thru the inner race, so they are fine as long as each bearing turns freely with the wheel off. Note that both may turn since they are pushed to the inner spacer. Hope all that makes sense.
 

Last edited by Jackie Paper; Mar 19, 2021 at 06:43 PM.
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