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Stuck castle nut on front AND rear axle

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by neuarc, Sep 1, 2020.

  1. neuarc

    neuarc New Member

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    Hi all,

    I have found myself in a pickle. The front and rear castle nuts on both of my axles are stuck on my bike and I can not remove them for the life of me. They are visibly corroded and will not budge.

    I have removed the front caliper and tensioner rod on the rear brake so nothing should be squeezing anything on either wheel, and I've soaked both nuts in WD40 and used the stock Yamaha wrench to try and remove them with no luck.

    What should I do?? I'm completely lost.

    Thanks all
     
  2. StahlMaster

    StahlMaster Active Member

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    Heat it up.
     
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  3. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    And apply candle wax when they are hot. The wax will wick into the rusty threads and help lubricate them so they can turn.

    Also use a 18" (or so) breaker bar and not a wrench (unless it's box end) or rachet.
    If you only have a box end wrench, use a length of pipe over it as a cheater bar.


    FYI WD-40 is for dispersing water from electrics. It is not a penetrating oil.

    The best penetrating oil is also the cheapest. Mix up equal amounts of automatic transmission fluid and acetone. Store in an airtight container until needed.
     
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  4. raskal

    raskal Active Member

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    I had never heard of the candle wax trick before until I saw it demonstrated on a Project Farm video. He found lubricating fluid much more effective.
     
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  5. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    I've watched that channel. His testing methods are not....well....very good, to be polite.
    Candle wax doesn't always work, but it's a quick and cheap go-to as a first step.
     
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  6. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

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    Vegetable oil and acetone work too.
     
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  7. JCH

    JCH Active Member

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    I finally used a tie rod/ball joint remover [pitch fork] on mine if you can get the axle shaft to move a little to engage the tool,you should be able to rent one at the local auto parts store.
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2020
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  8. JBurch

    JBurch Active Member

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    Did you remove the cotter pins? PB-Blaster is an excellent penetrating oil, any auto parts store
     
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  9. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

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    Use a six point socket not a twelve it is less likely to slip and damage the nut.
     
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  10. JCH

    JCH Active Member

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    I have a unrelated question.
    How do you post a thread on this site ?
     
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  11. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

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    If it is a technical question for example click on XJ bikes logo on the top left here. Then scroll down and all the headings for the site are there. If it is Technical for example click on XJ Technical Chat and on the right you will see a blue tab called Post New Thread. Click on it and that will open it up.
     
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  12. JCH

    JCH Active Member

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    THANK YOU..............
     
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  13. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    eat your Wheaties and show it who's the boss :)
     
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  14. JBurch

    JBurch Active Member

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    Another silly question..........are you attempting to spin the nuts in the correct direction? Rightie tightie, leftie loosie
     
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  15. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

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    Spinach perhaps :D
     
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  16. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    If the axle nut was tightened properly all that will do is risk damaging the forks.

    Once the nut is off you might need to use your suggestion to remove the axle, though A brass drift works better IMO.
     
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  17. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    get something better that wd 40 it does nothing for your situation.
    Kroil, PB blaster, blend of acetone and atf 50/50., penetrating oil.

    you could try the candle wax thing used on car lug nuts. heat up the nut untill wax from candle suckes it threads

    before you do that get a breaker bar,
    the stock Yamaha wrench do you have the extension for it ? this is part of your problem
     
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  18. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    if by "stock Yamaha wrench" you're referring to the joke that came in the tool kit, it won't work period.

    You need a SIX POINT socket and a decent breaker bar; an 18" bar usually works fine and will come in handy more often than you might realize. And a torque wrench to properly tighten the nuts afterward.
     
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  19. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    I hope you didn’t loosen the pinch bolt first....that’s the LAST thing to loosen. ( and the last thing to tighten )
     
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  20. neuarc

    neuarc New Member

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    Hi friends, thanks for all of the responses! I was able to get the nut off with an 18" breaker bar and a new socket! I was thrilled until I realized the axle was seized too. Took a mallet to the end and that thing is SEIZED. Any advice for how to proceed?
     
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