jsb777 Posted April 13, 2014 #1 Posted April 13, 2014 I was planning a long day ride yesterday to Crater Lake, and in my pre-ride inspection, I found the right side swing arm nearly off the rear axle. There was about a 3/4" gap, with highly polished axle showing between the swing arm and the wheel. Placing my finger into the swing arm, at the pinch bolt, I can barely reach the remaining end of the axle. Looking at online parts diagrams, the non-threaded head of the axle has obviously broken off. Trailered it to the dealer yesterday, where 3 months ago they replaced rear rotor, caliper, brakes AND...a missing collar on the axle. When I purchased the bike (used w/30,000 mile) last July (2013), the previous owner had just had 2 new tires installed. Any suggestions/guesses as to WHY the axle would have snapped off? The last couple of weeks I've been hearing a "bell like sound" only on slow speed right hand turns. It sounded like a loose bolt against sheet metal. Now I suppose it was the flex of the wheel along the axle or the swing arm moving. I consider myself very FORTUNATE to not have had a catastrophic wheel failure at some point over the last few weeks. My thinking (and hope) is the dealer will take care of it all, since they were last to have their hands on rear wheel, axle, brakes, etc. Your thoughts? John Eugene, OR
VentureFar Posted April 13, 2014 #2 Posted April 13, 2014 Wow, I don't have any suggestions other than continue living that clean life that got you this far. Good catch on your preride inspection! VentureFar...
Eck Posted April 13, 2014 #3 Posted April 13, 2014 Wow, I don't have any suggestions other than continue living that clean life that got you this far. Good catch on your preride inspection! VentureFar... This says it all...............Count your blessings!
Kirby Posted April 13, 2014 #4 Posted April 13, 2014 First time ever hearing of a broken rear axle on one of these bikes. Very odd for the bike. Very lucky for you. Maybe you should go out and buy a lottery ticket .
Squidley Posted April 13, 2014 #6 Posted April 13, 2014 Can you put up a couple pics of it so we can see it a bit better. I believe I have a spare rear axle shaft if you need one.
RedRider Posted April 13, 2014 #7 Posted April 13, 2014 You are a lucky man. I have never heard of a broken axle. I would also have the dealer replace the bearings in the wheel while they are at it. Since the axle has been running with a single support end, the bearings have been running with non-perpendicular loading. They are not designed for that. Learn to do your own wrenching. I am very leery of letting the dealer (and I have a good one) work on my bike. RR
jsb777 Posted April 14, 2014 Author #8 Posted April 14, 2014 Two pics to show you what I see. One viewed from behind looking down past inside edge of hard bag. Second pic, made from the floor, with the wheel on the right. After reading some of your replies back, it is sounding like the appearance is normal. However, the noise, on slow right hand turns is certainly not. John
Pegasus1300 Posted April 14, 2014 #9 Posted April 14, 2014 I was planning a long day ride yesterday to Crater Lake, and in my pre-ride inspection, I found the right side swing arm nearly off the rear axle. There was about a 3/4" gap, with highly polished axle showing between the swing arm and the wheel. Placing my finger into the swing arm, at the pinch bolt, I can barely reach the remaining end of the axle. Looking at online parts diagrams, the non-threaded head of the axle has obviously broken off. Trailered it to the dealer yesterday, where 3 months ago they replaced rear rotor, caliper, brakes AND...a missing collar on the axle. When I purchased the bike (used w/30,000 mile) last July (2013), the previous owner had just had 2 new tires installed. Any suggestions/guesses as to WHY the axle would have snapped off? The last couple of weeks I've been hearing a "bell like sound" only on slow speed right hand turns. It sounded like a loose bolt against sheet metal. Now I suppose it was the flex of the wheel along the axle or the swing arm moving. I consider myself very FORTUNATE to not have had a catastrophic wheel failure at some point over the last few weeks. My thinking (and hope) is the dealer will take care of it all, since they were last to have their hands on rear wheel, axle, brakes, etc. Your thoughts? John Eugene, OR Go buy a lottery ticket because luck is riding you like a borrowed horse:080402gudl_prv: BTW let us know what the outcome is with the dealer.
RedRider Posted April 14, 2014 #10 Posted April 14, 2014 Two pics to show you what I see. One viewed from behind looking down past inside edge of hard bag. Second pic, made from the floor, with the wheel on the right. After reading some of your replies back, it is sounding like the appearance is normal. However, the noise, on slow right hand turns is certainly not. John From those pictures, the axle does not appear broken. Perhaps not properly installed as there shouldn't be any space between the washer and the swingarm. Something strange is going on there. RR
ACE50 Posted April 14, 2014 #11 Posted April 14, 2014 I just looked at my bike. I see nothing wrong with those pics. The right side of the S.A. just slides over axle, no steps, then clamps
jsb777 Posted April 16, 2014 Author #12 Posted April 16, 2014 Picked the bike up at my dealer today. They could find absolutely NOTHING wrong, and the axle is certainly not "broken." Several of you sent me pics showing me what the swing arm/axle configuration is supposed to look like. I should have checked here BEFORE freaking out and hauling it to the dealer!! Lesson learned...one for which I figured I pay $100 or so to be schooled. The mechanic (and others of you) explained how the axle mounts through the swing arm, etc. All spacers/washers, etc. are as they are supposed to be. And...they didn't charge me a DIME! That's right. Said they had both bags off, checked everything they could wrench on near there and found no issues. From the service ticket... "DOUBLE CHECKED all hardware and found no issues at all." Thanks to Ramsey Waite Company, Lou the service writer and Bryan the mechanic. Thanks to all of YOU, too, that chimed in with pictures and suggestions. Your over-cautious, nearly paranoid of mechanical issues, fellow Venture rider, with egg on my face, John
Squidley Posted April 17, 2014 #13 Posted April 17, 2014 John, A little paranoia is ok, it's your life on the line with 2 wheels. Better to err in the side of safety than to loose a rear wheel on the highway, been there, done that, still here to tell about it
Neil86 Posted April 17, 2014 #14 Posted April 17, 2014 John... did they have any explanation for the noise you have been hearing?
jsb777 Posted April 18, 2014 Author #15 Posted April 18, 2014 He just quizzed me about what was in my bags. I take everything out before taking it to the shop. I do have a big padlock and key stored in there, but it's usually wrapped in some clean shop rags, etc. I don't think that was it, but I'm going to ride again before putting everything back in. I was so happy to know nothing was wrong on the ride back from the shop, that I never thought of listening for the rattle sound. Thanks again for all the good input I received here. JB
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