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Hi guys

It's time for new front wheel bearings, and I am trying to remove the wheel.

I've backed off the four nuts on the fork leg cover plate, and the axle is turning, but the odometer drive housing wants to turn with the axle.

Is there a reason for this or is it just a little stubborn? I am conscious about using too much force or levering against the cable inlet area, as I don't want to snap anything!

Any help appreciated

Thanks

I truly hate that odometer spacer. Just got the hefty hospital bill for it.

Anyway from what it sounds like is you got a rusty stuck on odometer spacer and if you don't take care of it ....it can and will with force lock the front up hard. Had mine where apparently started to turn with wheel and failed and fell apart leaving a nice portion to go weird on wheel and locked up.

What I would do is shoot some pb down into the housing where the cable goes and let it sit for a bit. Mud dirt and water enter this area easily and corrode the bearing type assembly inside. If you have a manual it describes as per maintaining it is to grease it every so often. If bike sat for a bit or a tad neglected you need to address this pronto. I replaced mine with a used one in great condition and had a cap onto it. Mine was obliterated and nothing really left.

Once you get some lube into it you should be able to slide the axle out of it. Might have to work at it and also put some force to it. Sounds like there is rust built up preventing it from sliding. Clean the axle good when you get it out. Be sure to remove the clip all the way on the hub. Mine was busted and I thought I got all of the clip out but apparently I didn't and had to replace the hub. Broke a good portion off and seal wouldn't work.

Now I had the same problems getting mine to slide and what I did was just popped the forks out of clamps and removed wheel that way and once axle was out I used some wood and hammer to get the axle out of the housing. Once I had axle removed I had a nice buildup of rust.

I cleaned and replaced everything. Lubed and laced a new hub and bearings. No problems since. Plan on doing your spacer grease with bearing replacement.

Im sure others can chime in more so I hope this helps ya some.

Great reply thanks!

I see the speedo drive cable has a large phillips screw to the side...once I remove that should it pull up and out? Seems quite tight there.

yes

Thanks...sorry for all the Qs, I am new to this whole speedo drive thing, being from an MX background!

Should the grey plastic piece that sits inside the housing slide up and out too..or do I just pull the black cable out? Grey part seems to be in nice and tight...

There should be a small set screw on the side of the trip meter hub . When its loose the cable should move out freely ! There is an octogon shaped head that fits in the hub coming from the cable and it just slides right out when you pull the cable up .

The grey plastic piece stays in .

The grey plastic piece came out with it, very neatly. The retaining screw acts against it, and it just popped out.

Now I just need to battle the fact the axle won't turn independently of the black speedo housing!

Isn't there a bearing in the black trip hub housing ? if so Is the bearing seized on the axle shaft ?

No bearing in there, is an oil seal though. Generally what I've seen with these is that the drive gear corrodes and latches itself onto either the hub or the axle or both. There should be a tang on the fork leg that mates with two on the odometer housing to keep it from turning. Pull the cable out and then you could also use a screwdriver across the front of the fork leg and behind the cable mount portion of the drive to keep it from spinning. About the only choice you have is to muscle the axle out. Be generous with the axle grease when you reassemble it. It is a neglected spot that should be receiving routine maintenance, especially if you ride in any wet environments.

thanks mate

will get something nice and wide between the leg and the housing, and see what some 'gentle force' can do.

I wonder how you say BFH in ausrtalian ?

diymirage wrote:I wonder how you say BFH in ausrtalian ?

A tap with a peen hammer?

BFH is usually a little more then a love tap ;)

Yes but in OZ everything is bigger, so a BFH would be a 50# sledge...at the least!

I'll find something big in the workshop!

Ok good news

A length of hardwood between the cable outlet and fork while I acted on the axle, and after a bit of force she freed up quickly.

Original bearings, still plenty of grease about...will go back together nicely with the new kit.

Good to hear...not much keeps these bikes sidelined for long.

10.5 year old thread proves relevant, even today. The informative content removed the guess work that would've ensued otherwise. After applying PB Blaster per above, things were still not coming apart with hand tools. My 1/2-inch drive, 110V, impact wrench loosened the axle very easily.