Overtightened Rear Axle nut

foxbat · Nova Slayer Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

Help!

being an idiot, I adjusted my chain yesterday on my Bandit 600 and in the process or screwing the axle nut up tight again, think I have overtightned it. It won't come off now so think the thread is ruined. Probably a new spindle.

It also appears to have skewed the chain adjuster markers slightly too so I'm not sure if they are 100% aligned on each side.

So, based on all the above, I need to get it fixed at the Suzuki dealer in Newbury - I'm in Reading so its a few miles. The axle nut is on tight it seems so would it be safe enough to ride the bike there or is it better not to risk it and get it trailered?

Dumb, but no bike trailer = lots of hassle. What would you suggest??
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Honda CBR600F4
(oh, and a VW Golf GTi)

RascalsCustar... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Karma :

What are you trying to use to get the nut off the spindle?

Lever bar...?ratchet...?

foxbat · Nova Slayer Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

Thanks for the reply

I'm using a ratchet. The nut actually turns very slowly with resistance but definitely isn't moving down the thread.

It feels solid but primarily, I'm wondering if its secure enough to risk riding the bike to the dealer and whether any misalignment on the chain adjusters will cause damage over a short trip.

I haven't got a bike trailer or towbar on the car so mucho hassle.
____________________
Honda CBR600F4
(oh, and a VW Golf GTi)

DM · Scooby Slapper Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Karma :

Sorry, but I have to ask to get it out of the way Smile

: Is the other side turning as well?

foxbat · Nova Slayer Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

Nope

- it appears to be just the nut moving
____________________
Honda CBR600F4
(oh, and a VW Golf GTi)

loply · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

Did you tighten it with a torque wrench?
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foxbat · Nova Slayer Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

yes, set the correct torque but think I went beyond the point.

I'll qualify that further - I felt it click but it wasn't a very positive click. I though TWs were supposed to reach the desired tightness and then rotate freely to avoid damage. This one just seemed to click weakly. Probably me Sad

____________________
Honda CBR600F4
(oh, and a VW Golf GTi)

mr jamez · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Karma :

The torque wrench might be way off, take it to an engineering shop to get it checked and calibrated incase you use it again and it breaks something else!

foxbat · Nova Slayer Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

thanks - it was from Halfords Smile

____________________
Honda CBR600F4
(oh, and a VW Golf GTi)

foxbat · Nova Slayer Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

So, is it too risky to ride the bike to the dealer as described above?

I'm not trying to be irresponsible here but also not over cautious either. If the expereinced riders out there can comment, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks for the replies so far - not the most interesting topic after a hard days work Wink

____________________
Honda CBR600F4
(oh, and a VW Golf GTi)

RascalsCustar... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Karma :

That's the correct operation of those halfords torque wrenches. Used a few at work.

I suppose it's a possibility it's got too tight, jumped the thread and ruined it. So now it's just spinning in the same place on the spindle. It's unlikely though as it'd take some serious over-tightening.

Dare I say it...you haven't tightened the nut in Lbs/ft on the TW when the torque setting was in Nm in the book?

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Most torque wrenches will just click when they reach the correct torque.

Not sure how you would manage to overtighten it enough to screw the thread up like that. However if you have managed it then effectively there is not thread there holding the nut onto the spindle so I would not advise riding it.

The chain alignment against the marks on the swinging arm are not that critical. Those marks are often not accurate and are really someones idea of a sick joke. Use a straight edge against the rear wheel and see where how it lines up with the front wheel.

All the best

Keith
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foxbat · Nova Slayer Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

Cheers Rascal - it was deffo in Nms! Smile

- I think it's definitely threaded.

Thanks for the tip - So, on the first click I should stop. It didn't feel quite right to be honest as it doesn't feel tight enough but probably is. Old habits, clumsy me - Lesson learnt.

Would you say in its present state it would be safe enough to ride to the dealer? It feels secure enough but not sure if nay torque from the wheel will cause it to snap. Sorry, I'm a beginner in these things.
____________________
Honda CBR600F4
(oh, and a VW Golf GTi)

foxbat · Nova Slayer Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

Keith,

Thanks for replying. The wrench clicked but it still gripped and the nut rotated. I wasn't sure if it had reached its correct limit and a bit paranoid about these things at the mo.

I'll take it with me to the dealer to ask them to show me how it should work.

Cheers,
foxbat
____________________
Honda CBR600F4
(oh, and a VW Golf GTi)

pipnet11 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Karma :

Unless the spindal was made out of crap metal, i would have expected you to have to jump up and down on the wrench to get it even close to stripping the thread on a nut that size. When i used to ride pedal bikes I had a BMX that had solid axels like motorbike spindals, to tighten them I put one spanner on one side and another on the opposite, then stood on them till they wouldnt move anymore, this meant i knew they were tight and i never managed to strip a thread.
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foxbat · Nova Slayer Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Karma :

Well, what i can say.

I've just been out for another inspection. The nut wasn't threaded - it was turning with the opposing nut on the other side. Jeez Embarassed

- i hadn't noticed it! Sorry. I've fixed it all now.

Thanks everyone who posted, it got me to check and saved me a lot of time and money- some sound advice and knowledge gained for the future. Thumbs Up

____________________
Honda CBR600F4
(oh, and a VW Golf GTi)

RascalsCustar... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Karma :

Hehehe

Happens to even us pro's matey. Like you said..lesson learnt...only another, oooh, hundred billion to learn. Wink

swampy · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Karma :

D'oh

, Well done for coming back and sharing though mate, takes some bottle to admit a mistake, and you might have helped someone out in the future Thumbs Up

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pipnet11 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Karma :

Weve all done it! and all sworn it wasnt doing that before. lol
____________________
I love the girls that do, I hate the girls that dont, I hate the girls who say they will and then they say they wont, but the girl I like most of all and I think youll say Im right, is the girl who says she never has but looks as though she might. - Max Bygraves