Bolt won't move

Noppy · Mar 23, 2014

Gents,

I have a 2nd hand 390 of 2011 and the previous owner and me didn't lubricate the axle which goes through the swing arm for about 3 years.

For two days I have been lubricating the swingarm axle with very thin oil, heating the engine where it passes through, while at the same time spraying the hollow axle with break cleaner, it the hope it would give way.

Each time I hammer the axle plus nut with a heavy hammer, but no luck.

Does anyone have an idea what to do now?

twistednuts · Mar 23, 2014

Had similar problems on an old crm250.

The trick is to wedge the bike frame against something solid, like a house wall 8O

If the frame isnt wedged, it absorbs all the hammer force. Get the bike against the wall and wedge frame near the swingarm with some thick timber.

You can also lie the berg on the floor and wedge it the same way. Then give the bolt a proper good thwack!!!

Good luck

DaleEO · Mar 23, 2014

Hi Noppy,

Try a penetrating oil called Kroil.

Kroil comes non aerosol (Kano Kroil ) and aerosol (aero Kroil ). http://www.kanolabs.com/google/

Try soaking the shaft with this product for a few days and then go ride the bike for a day and I bet it will come loose.

I've been using this stuff for years and it works great.

Dale

Kayeffess · Mar 23, 2014

I use a brass punch 3/4 of an inch in diam. , six inches long and a five pound mallet. Lay the bike on the floor and prop it up like in the prev reply. It will come out.

akshun · Mar 23, 2014

Definitely have a go with a penetrating oil as DaleEO described. I haven't used Kroil but it sounds similar to a product called Yield that we use at work. Great stuff, similar to penetrene, etc. They have some sciency type stuff that helps the oil penetrate better. Not that great as a lubricant but fine for disassembly! Heat is normally a last resort and brakeclean should only ever be used for cleaning, it's pretty nasty stuff for anything else! Im guessing you were only using it as a cooling aid anyway. Sometimes you just have to persist with these types of things but i'm sure you will get it! Many a time i have walked away and returned later ( a few days sometimes) only to have things come apart easily! Good luck!

P.s. If all else fails, get a bigger hammer, ha ha!

DaleEO · Mar 24, 2014

akshun said:
Definitely have a go with a penetrating oil as DaleEO described. I haven't used Kroil but it sounds similar to a product called Yield that we use at work. Great stuff, similar to penetrene, etc. They have some sciency type stuff that helps the oil penetrate better. Not that great as a lubricant but fine for disassembly! Heat is normally a last resort and brakeclean should only ever be used for cleaning, it's pretty nasty stuff for anything else! Im guessing you were only using it as a cooling aid anyway. Sometimes you just have to persist with these types of things but i'm sure you will get it! Many a time i have walked away and returned later ( a few days sometimes) only to have things come apart easily! Good luck!

P.s. If all else fails, get a bigger hammer, ha ha!

I concur, try not to use brute force until you have let the Kroil have a go at it.

Remember those are steel inserts in aluminum cases, I wouldn't want to be beating on that swing arm axle unless I absolutely had to.

Dale

DuaneB · Mar 26, 2014

My 02 FC550 was the same when I got it... I used a large socket on one side that would support the frame but allow the axle bolt to slide inside the socket once it started to move, the socket was braced against a concrete wall. Others have mentioned this already, but it is the most important thing you can do! It took me three days of penetrating oil and occasional rounds with a flat bit in an air chisel (I put the nut on the axle end to avoid damaging the threads with the air chisel. It eventually loosened and came out... but it took several days of alternating between blows from the air chisel and repeat applications of penetrating oil.

Just be patient and don't use too much force that will break anything.

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Bolt won't move

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