do I have to buy a new front axle ?

[der_Jones]

Hello,

I changed the front axle bearings, because I could move the front wheel from left to right and hear a slight click, there was a play between front axle and bearings of I think 0,1mm.

Now that I changed the bearings the gap is still there.

So it can only be the front axle, which is apparently worn out.
or is this little gapnormal? I don't think so

would you agree that I have to buy a new front axle ?

 

[Barrett]

Having owned approximately 20 assorted Buell XB models in the past 22 years...and doing tire and wheel bearing changes on at least 100 XB's...I have never seen a "worn out" front axle. If the front wheel bearings have been installed correctly and the front axle torqued to factory specs and the wheel still has lateral free-play....meaning you grip the tire at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions and wiggle it and feel the assembly move laterally....that is typically caused by a faulty wheel hub bearing spacer that has exceeded its designed life-span. The hub bearing spacer is the long tube inside the hub which the axle slides thru.

Would help keyboard diagnosis if you mentioned year....model...mileage.

 

[Cooter]

Ya, I'm with that guy ^^^^. Never seen an axle just 'worn out'.

Perhaps the PO had a bearing failure that ground down the spacer or the flange on the axle? Maybe its not the ID, but the OD of the bearings or wheel that are damaged and slipping? Maybe there damaged threads causing the torque wrench to read wrong? You ARE using a torque wrench and using the procedure laid out step-by-step in the service manual right? Right?

http://buellmods.com

I'd link the actual manual, but you didn't even say what year it was. Or mileage. Or condition. Or post any video. Or pictures.So... good luck!













"Your answer, can only ever be as good as your question".
-Me

 

[der_Jones]

ok, thanks for your answers, I will try to post a video

And: 2007 XB12 STT with 36k Miles

 

[DozerBoy]

that is typically caused by a faulty wheel hub bearing spacer that has exceeded its designed life-span.

I've been wondering for a while now whether there's a specification for these bearing spacers. The last time I had my tires/bearings replaced, I had them done by a guy who used to work at Buell. He replaced the spacers from his stash of parts. Not sure whether I'll be able to count on that for the "next time."

Would you - John - or anyone else happen to know if there's an engineering drawing for the spacers so that one might fabricate new ones indefinitely (until the inevitable heat-death of the Universe)?

 

[Barrett]

Hi Eric: The factory still has the F&R hub spacer tube specs. Give me a bit and let me call someone at engineering and get them for you. Saw those dimensions floating around online some time ago but they were wrong.

Regards, John

 

[Barrett]

ERIC and all others: Below, as per Harley Davidson Engineering, are the correct part numbers and dimensions as requested. They did not have the info for the late "three bearing" rear wheel spacer tube or part number. I'll try and dig it up.

FRONT WHEEL HUB AXLE INNER SPACER TUBE PART #--GO325.02A8-SUFFIX B1M

108.2MM LENGTH
31.7MM OD
26.2MM ID
+/- .005-.010 ALL DIMENSIONS



PRE-2009 X/2010 CROSS-SPEC TWO BEARING WHEEL HUB STYLE HUB AXLE INNER SPACER TUBE PART #-GO323.02A8-SUFFIX L19D

202.6MM LENGTH
36.8MM OD
31.3MM ID
+/- .005-.010 ALL DIMENSIONS

 

[Cooter]

ERIC and all others: Below, as per Harley Davidson Engineering, are the correct part numbers and dimensions as requested. They did not have the info for the late "three bearing" rear wheel spacer tube or part number. I'll try and dig it up.

FRONT WHEEL HUB AXLE INNER SPACER TUBE PART #--GO325.02A8-SUFFIX B1M

108.2MM LENGTH
31.7MM OD
26.2MM ID
+/- .005-.010 ALL DIMENSIONS



PRE-2009 X/2010 CROSS-SPEC TWO BEARING WHEEL HUB STYLE HUB AXLE INNER SPACER TUBE PART #-GO323.02A8-SUFFIX L19D

202.6MM LENGTH
36.8MM OD
31.3MM ID
+/- .005-.010 ALL DIMENSIONS

Thats some really awesome info John. Thank you for the effort!

 

[Barrett]

My pleasure Shaughn. Both axles mentioned must still be dealer available as part numbers active....though I didn't run the numbers for quantities listed in system.

 

[cvc]

I posted on here and badweb axel spacer dimensions so if not readily available we could have them made. When I have some time I will check to see if what I posted matches these. Should have all XB and blast dimensions on there. Thanks John for the official size for those.

 

[Barrett]

I posted on here and badweb axel spacer dimensions so if not readily available we could have them made. When I have some time I will check to see if what I posted matches these. Should have all XB and blast dimensions on there. Thanks John for the official size for those.

My pleasure Charles. I would think they would be fairly easy to replicate once the supply dries up.