Rear axle doesn't slide out easily

[FuzzyRider]

When I changed my tires for the first time at 8,000 miles I carefully followed the directions at FJRTech.com but getting the rear axle to slide all the way out was a royal PITA. No matter how I moved the rear tire to ease tension on the axle it didn't want to come out. So I figured I'd do a good job greasing it up with some synthetic waterproof grease I had on hand (I can't remember when I bought it - years ago probably but it has been in its tub with the lid on all this time).

Anyway, fast forward to tonight when I was hoping to pull both wheels off in 30 minutes so I could get to CycleGear before they closed and get my new tires mounted - hey, it's beautiful weather this week and I want to take advantage of the opportunity to ride. Anyway, I get the torque arm nut loosened, pinch bolt loosened, ABS sensor off and axle nut off. I tap the threaded end of the axle with a rubber mallet to start it on its way out. That's when I get my feet under the rear wheel and once again no matter how I move the tire I'm unable to pull that dang axle out the right side. I waste 30 minutes cussing and going inside the house to cool down before I finally - like I did the first time - use a 12" drift to very carefully tap out the axle.

So, do I need to use lithium soap based grease like the FSM suggests? Do I need to use some other grease? Maybe I should just accept that this is the way it is and use the tap out method? Or perhaps I should start doing curls again so I can pull on that axle even harder?

(Boy am I glad it's not Friday)

 

[r1byker]

I just presume it's always going to be that difficult. I have 25k on the bike and I've removed the wheel at least five times, and each time I just tap it out with a long screwdriver I don't care about.

 

[Patriot]

I put a film of grease on my axle, ahhhh, my bike's axle :blink:

really doesn't matter what kind, but synthetic waterproof grease for wheel bearings is just fine :clapping: :yahoo:

I don't use my Honda Moly spline grease on the axle as it's too valuable; the grease that is

Cheers,

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[Geezer]

I normally put a ratchet on the right end of the axle and turn it while I push on the other end with my fingers. Comes right out.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I normally put a ratchet on the right end of the axle and turn it while I push on the other end with my fingers. Comes right out.

+1

 

[Bounce]

It's assumed that the pinch bolt has been loosened first. Right?

 

[wheatonFJR]

It's assumed that the pinch bolt has been loosened first. Right?

He says so in the OP.

 

[bmwhd]

The rubber mallet and wooden dowel are your friends here.

 

[okmac]

Apply a thin film of grease and then rotate the axel as you remove it. That seems to work for me.

Mac

 

[radman]

Air hammer and long bit. And new axle each change.

 

[v65]

I normally put a ratchet on the right end of the axle and turn it while I push on the other end with my fingers. Comes right out.

+1

+1.3 I'm above average in size.

 

[FuzzyRider]

Air hammer and long bit. And new axle each change.

That's a good idea, but I don't have an air hammer. Maybe I should just use a chain to attach the axle to the bucket on my front-end loader.