Stripped Axle threads

sospolice said:

Well has this happened to anyone? I was taking off my back wheel to install the 28T pulley. I was backing off the axle nut and in doing so, the threads just peeled off as if the nut was cross-threaded at the factory. I could not believe what was happening. I only have 1400 miles on the bike so I called my local dealer. Since a factory mechanic did not do the work, the dealer had doubts that it would be covered under warranty. The dealer told me to bring it in (the whole bike, not just the axle). So my fingers are crossed hope to save $75 on a new axle.

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sospolice,

Why were you taking off the rear wheel to change the front pulley?

That would be my question as well. I have had the rear axle out of both mine and Jeannies several times without a problem, it must have been bad new.

Max

Max said:

That would be my question as well. I have had the rear axle out of both mine and Jeannies several times without a problem, it must have been bad new.

Max

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Hey Max,

I have also had the rear axle out, along with a couple hundred other parts.

Doesn't the back tire have to come off the put the new belt on,or am i missing something?

No, but you have to loosen the bolt to remove the tension on the belt. When you take off the belt guard the lower bolt on the shock is free so you just pivot the shock up and you can slide the belt off.

If the bolt was bad from the factory then it would strip the threads even when it was loosened, maybe that's what he meant

Now I'm scared.I just ordered my 28t pulley today.I hope this doesn't happen to me. :stooge:
What size is the axle nut and bolt?Should I use a wrench and ratchet or two wrenches?
Just asking for tips,I don't want to strip the axle or nut.

Check this out,
http://www.harleydavidsonforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25356&highlight=axle

In order to loosen and replace the belt, I had to remove the axle nut. This is when the problem happened. When my local dealer called this problem into Harley, they seemed concerned as they had never heard of this before. I doubt they are gonna pay for a new axle but I am gonna try.

sospolice said:

In order to loosen and replace the belt, I had to remove the axle nut. This is when the problem happened. When my local dealer called this problem to Harley, they seemed concerned as they had never heard of tis before. I duobt they are gonna pay for a new axle but I am gonna try.

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I've had the belt off 4 times and never had to remove the bolt :hmm:

I think the cam slop is a common problem with the V-Rod. I have heard that this happens all the time. Just like jlbait posted in his link, you have to make the final adjustment after you measure because of the slop. I have had my rear axle off a dozen times so far. No thread damage but I do have slop. My axle bolt holds fast at 103 ft/lbs and has never moved.

Changed belt here too!! And you definalty do NOT need to take out the bolt. And ive changed the 28T too......and still did not need to completely remove the belt from the bike either!

You've lost us!

OK guys...I'm just a cop so bare with me. I bought a 28T kit from Harley that included a belt. I put the bike on the lift and the first thing I did was loosen the axle nut. As I did this, the threads on the axle began to peel off as if it was cross threaded at the factory. I am not mechanic but I don't see how you can remove the belt without loosening this nut. Those of you who say you have changed the front pulley without loosening the axle...well I just am not understanding how you did it. I have already ordered a new axle and once I get it, then no problem. No indication from the dealer if they are going to cover it or not.

sospolice your correct that you must loosen the nut to move the axle to adjust the belt, your original post was misleading in respect that it said " I was taking off my back wheel to install the 28T pulley." So it is just a misunderstanding it appears. I hope they cover the axle but usually it would not be a covered item when doing work yourself. If the threads pealed off the odds are it was cross threaded or damaged from the factory.

Max

Sorry I was not clear...and I have to agree that I really don't think the factory will cover it. That's why I went ahead and ordered another one.

sospolice said:

Sorry I was not clear...and I have to agree that I really don't think the factory will cover it. That's why I went ahead and ordered another one.

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What did you have to fork out($) to get one?

$74 bones

Got the new pulley on and love it. But I hated all the oil that came flying out. Guess I need to stick to cop work as the mechanical side of me is not going well. I guess I damaged the o-ring on the drive shaft. I replaced it and so far no leaks. The verdict is not in regarding Harley covering the stripped axle.

Even at $74 it's was more than likely cheaper than what the Dealer would have charged you do to the job.

Even if I have to buy new tools to do something, I always consider it cheaper and I have the tool for the next time I have to do the same thing. It is always cheaper to do it your self than having someone else do it. And that is even if they did cover the new part, labor still would have been more expensive than what you paid. Plus you got the experience of doing it yourself so next time it won't be so bad.

Dave

I appreciate that VA Vrod....ended up paying about $50 for the new axle. Not bad. Love the 28 tooth pulley. It's a new bike now.