Rear Axle Stuck (Salt Water)

waitn4
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waitn4
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 8:46am
I made the mistake of bringing my yz125 down from Anchorage, Alaska to Juneau, Alaska to ride the tide lands. Well, that would not have been such a mistake if I took the bike apart and re-greased everything. I didn't. Now I cannot get my rear axle out. I have tried using a 15lb sledge and lots of penetrating oil and have been able to get it to move just a bit, but now it won't move anywhere.

Where in the hell do I go from here?
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mxtech1
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mxtech1 10/21/2011 9:15am
10/21/2011 9:15am
I had a axle stuck so bad one time that I had to take the whole swingarm off the bike with the wheel attached and I had to use a press to push the axle through. If it's stuck that bad, I don't think you're going to get it by trying to hit it, plus you are probably going to ruin the threads on the end of the axle.

It's a pain i know, but you will probably want to take the swingarm off with the wheel and take it to a shop to have the axle pressed through. You will probably have to end up replacing the wheel bearings and the axle spacer tube since they will be corroded. If the threads on the axle are undamaged, clean it up with some fine grit sandpaper and re-insert with anti-seeze greese.

You should probably pull your front axle out before it seizes, clean it, and re-grease it to prevent the same issue on the front.

I would also advise you to wash the entire back by hand really good with some warm water and dish soap. If that salt is left on the bike it's going to wreak havoc and pit all of the aluminum.
mx5471
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mx5471 10/21/2011 11:32am
10/21/2011 11:32am
While you're at it now would be a good time to take all the linkage bearings out and clean and grease them up too. I just hope the swingarm bolt isn't stuck like the axle.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 10/21/2011 3:21pm
10/21/2011 3:21pm
I have used a air hammer and lots of penetrating lube......when it moves a little work it back and forth and eventually you should get it out.
CamP
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CamP 10/21/2011 4:08pm
10/21/2011 4:08pm
lumpy790 wrote:
I have used a air hammer and lots of penetrating lube......when it moves a little work it back and forth and eventually you should get it...
I have used a air hammer and lots of penetrating lube......when it moves a little work it back and forth and eventually you should get it out.
^^^ +1 on the air hammer.

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mag23
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mag23 10/21/2011 11:55pm
10/21/2011 11:55pm
time for a 'for sale' sign... Lumpy had a good idea, though
OneDirtyMXRider 10/22/2011 5:24pm
10/22/2011 5:24pm
I had an axle bolt stuck pretty bad, i used some penetration sprays but nothing seemed to free it. I ended up just hitting it back in forth and worked it. After about 2 hours i finally got it free. Some people said that heat would help free it up. So maybe try torching it. If you get it off, be sure to put some belray waterproof grease. Hope i could help.
Top End
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Top End 11/16/2011 7:36am
11/16/2011 7:36am
I work on cars on the East coast and they still salt the roads out here.
If all else fails you need to use the "red wrench"
Heat that axle up with the torches till its red hot then knock it out.
Then replace bearings and seals.
FreshTopEnd
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Sacramento, CA US
FreshTopEnd 11/16/2011 4:14pm
11/16/2011 4:14pm
Top End wrote:
I work on cars on the East coast and they still salt the roads out here. If all else fails you need to use the "red...
I work on cars on the East coast and they still salt the roads out here.
If all else fails you need to use the "red wrench"
Heat that axle up with the torches till its red hot then knock it out.
Then replace bearings and seals.
And get a new axle
indy_maico
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Indianapolis, IN US
indy_maico 11/18/2011 7:19am
11/18/2011 7:19am
Penetrating oil may work if you lay the bike on its side.

Gravity is your friend.

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