BMW motorcycle axle installation |
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The rear axle on all swing arm models (after 55) can be inserted in such a way as to bind up. This also applies to the front axle on the models with BMW Earles forks. This binding can result in the axle getting put into a curve. The curve will tighten the bearings and can make a "groan" or "click" type of noise. The noise is usually noticed when the bike is not running and being pushed around by hand, in a quiet place. If the axle is left in this condition for a long time it will cause the swing arm to become permanently bent. The most common reason for the axle to get into this situation is that the last installer wasn't paying attention. Often the axle won't go in all of the way. It may be noticed and maybe not, but the installer puts the washer and nut on the axle and tightens it up. The left side swing arm is "caught" on the axle and gets pulled over when the nut is tightened up. I have never seen this damage the bearings.
Correct. A /5 fully seated axle
Incorrect. The same axle in a "bind"To fix it, loosen the axle pinch bolt (the one in the photo) and back off the axle nut a turn. Put the tommy bar, or any screwdriver, into the axle hole and rotate it. You will see the swing arm jump back into place. If it stays in the wrong spot, then it means that the swing arm is bent. To fix that you can pull the swing arm out about one mm too far and tighten the pinch bolt. In time the swing arm will take a new set to about the right place. One always tightens the pinch bolt last. It will look about the same on a /6 or /7. On these models it is important to have the axle hole horizontal and not vertical. I have heard the complaint that some owners don't want the hole flat because it will collect water and rust. The reason for the hole as shown is so that one can use the tommy bar to extract the axle. With the axle nut removed and the pinch bolt loose, insert the tommy bar and rotate it. The swing arm is cut at a bevel and that acts as a ramp to give you a mechanical advantage in starting the axle removal. One can install the axle with the tommy bar and crank it downwards until it just touches the swing arm. The hole won't be quite flat and the water will drain out.
Correct. This is the front axle on a /2.
Correct. This is the rear axle on a /2.WarningDo not over tighten the axle nut. On /5 and later the factory messed up the bearing preload. The result is catastrophic, the bearing will spin in the hub. Then you may need a new hub. Go to my page on wheel bearings to read about this issue. On the /2, the axle nut can (usually) be tightened up to the specified 25 ft. lbs. of torque safely. On /5, and later, that may not be the case, test it.
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This page was last edited:
04/06/2006 - copyright
Duane Ausherman |
