[stMats]

Tonight I finally get the time to pull the wheels off my bike so I can replace tires for an upcoming track day. I loosen the nut and adjusters and slide the rear axle as far forward as it will go. I can't get the friggin' chain off the sprocket. Due to lazyness and time constraints on my part, the last two tire changes were done at a dealer, so this is the first time I've tried to remove this wheel. Should I force the chain? or should I say how much can I force it without getting myself further into trouble?

I'm pretty sure the problem is that the previous owner replaced the rear sprocket with a 42 (stock is 38tooth), but didn't get a longer chain at the same time. Never the less, that wheel has been off twice since I've owned it. Am I missing something? I've only pulled wheels a few times, but I've never had trouble.

I have to get this fixed soon. Track day is on Monday. Please help.

 

[redbcgraygt]

Did you try pulling the axle all the way out ,and then slide the tire forward?

 

[stMats]

Did you try pulling the axle all the way out ,and then slide the tire forward?

I'll try that. Thanks.

 

[turningman]

Stop. Don't do it. I know it would lighten your bike a bit but at what cost! Seriously, you need the chain.

 

[stMats]

Stop. Don't do it. I know it would lighten your bike a bit but at what cost! Seriously, you need the chain.

LOL

 

[stMats]

Did you try pulling the axle all the way out ,and then slide the tire forward?

Worked like a charm! On my previous bike I didn't have to do it that way.

Next problem: Front axle is 'reluctant' to come out. The axle nut is off and the pinch bolts have been loosened, but I've only gotten the axle to slide about an inch. I'm reluctant to use a drift to pound it out, how do you guys do it? TIA.

 

[redbcgraygt]

I've been pretty lucky on mine. I usually pull hard, and twist to get them out. If that don't work they say to use a plastic mallet, but that only works for part of the way. If twisting it out don't work, you may be able to tap it out with some plastic pipe and a hammer, but only if it comes out easy. Someone else may have a better suggestion. Hope this helps.

 

[stMats]

I've been pretty lucky on mine. I usually pull hard, and twist to get them out. If that don't work they say to use a plastic mallet, but that only works for part of the way. If twisting it out don't work, you may be able to tap it out with some plastic pipe and a hammer, but only if it comes out easy. Someone else may have a better suggestion. Hope this helps.

That definitely helps. thanks. BTW, how heavily do you grease the axles when reassembling? I'm thinking that might aid future removals.

 

[redbcgraygt]

That definitely helps. thanks. BTW, how heavily do you grease the axles when reassembling? I'm thinking that might aid future removals.

Yeah I think thats the reason to do it. I think a light coating should be fine.

 

[Stick]

The hollow front axles tend to get crushed to an oval shape because they're always placed back in, in the same orientation, or 180 deg. rotated (to allow access to the compression setting screw). also, if you go heavy-handed when tightening the pinch bolts, they thend to exert a alot of crush force, without a lot of effort!

I usually get it to come out 1/4 to 1/2", and then insert an allen key into the open slots, rotate B+F a bit while pushing from the left side. A third hand would help here!

 

[stMats]

The hollow front axles tend to get crushed to an oval shape because they're always placed back in, in the same orientation, or 180 deg. rotated (to allow access to the compression setting screw). also, if you go heavy-handed when tightening the pinch bolts, they thend to exert a alot of crush force, without a lot of effort!

I usually get it to come out 1/4 to 1/2", and then insert an allen key into the open slots, rotate B+F a bit while pushing from the left side. A third hand would help here!

Another good idea. thanks.

i ended up using a bit of pvc pipe and tapped it out gently. Thanks for the ideas and help!

 

[Bella749]

I have an old axle I use as a drift.. in a pinch, a properly sized screwdriver works too. Insert the driving end into the axle and hammer on the plastic handle

 

[Spensersdad]

The hollow front axles tend to get crushed to an oval shape because they're always placed back in, in the same orientation, or 180 deg. rotated (to allow access to the compression setting screw). also, if you go heavy-handed when tightening the pinch bolts, they thend to exert a alot of crush force, without a lot of effort!

I usually get it to come out 1/4 to 1/2", and then insert an allen key into the open slots, rotate B+F a bit while pushing from the left side. A third hand would help here!

Besides not over tightening the pinch bolts, I wonder if one could drill small holes at 90 deg. to the original ones, then rotate the axle 90 deg. each time it is reinstalled. This might correct the oval each time. A spot of paint as an index mark.

Just slap me if I'm being too a.r. again. (anal retentive)

 

[stMats]

Besides not over tightening the pinch bolts, I wonder if one could drill small holes at 90 deg. to the original ones, then rotate the axle 90 deg. each time it is reinstalled. This might correct the oval each time. A spot of paint as an index mark.

Just slap me if I'm being too a.r. again. (anal retentive)

That might help. My axle definitely had a slight oval shape. Hopefully using the correct torque from now on will prevent it from getting worse.

Thanks to everyone for the many useful replies.