Rear axle torqued to spec/spacers not flush??

[Phatnasty]

Question....rear axle tightened to spec but spacers are not flush. Everything is flush on the belt side but I can turn the spacer with my fingers. (is this normal?) On the brake side...both spacers and caliper arm are not flush. I can wiggle them back and forth a little, maybe 2 or 3 sheets of paper width.
Common sense tells me everything should be snug. I would also think water would get into the wheel bearings if not flush. Am I correct?
This is the 2nd time I've changed tires and don't know if I just missed it the first time or what.
What do I do? Try to tighten it until they flush or leave it as is?
Thanks

 

[1mndg]

First thing I would look at is to make sure there is nothing in the axle bolt hole that would make you reach torque before the spacers pinch against the frame. Could be dirt, grease, bolt too long etc etc.

 

[Phatnasty]

I cleaned off all the old grease and put new grease on it. Thats the only thing I changed. Hate to take the wheel all the way off again and align it but guess I will.

I'm going thru rear brake pads fast and just realized when I spread the caliper they push right back in. I don't even have time to put them on the bike before they close again. When you spread them they should stay put. right? I bled the banjo bolt quickly twice but still doing it. This shouldn't be normal, should it? Just keep bleeding it until they stay put?

 

[erldawg]

I would pull the axle and check for obstructions. There should not be any play in the spacers.

Double check you have the spacers in correctly and everything is seating properly.

 

[Raywood]

Question....rear axle tightened to spec but spacers are not flush. Everything is flush on the belt side but I can turn the spacer with my fingers. (is this normal?) On the brake side...both spacers and caliper arm are not flush. I can wiggle them back and forth a little, maybe 2 or 3 sheets of paper width.
Common sense tells me everything should be snug. I would also think water would get into the wheel bearings if not flush. Am I correct?
This is the 2nd time I've changed tires and don't know if I just missed it the first time or what.
What do I do? Try to tighten it until they flush or leave it as is?
Thanks

You have three spacers and two of them have shoulders on the ends. The shoulder ends should be against the bearing.
Why did you pull it apart? To change the tire? What else did you do?

 

[Phatnasty]

Yes Raywood. Bought new tires. Didn't do anything else until I put the tires back on. Took the axle back out, cleaned and checked everything. I knew the spacers were put back in correctly. Still have the same problem.
Then I remembered that it has always been that way. I could always wiggle my rear brake caliper. Since it was flush on the belt side I put a shim on the brake side. Should do the trick. Just finished new brake pads, speedometer fix, changed all fluids and tightened the primary chain. I'm ready to roll.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Used the "How to" to do everything. Great site!
Happy New Year!

 

[Little-Boo]

Yes Raywood. Bought new tires. Didn't do anything else until I put the tires back on. Took the axle back out, cleaned and checked everything. I knew the spacers were put back in correctly. Still have the same problem.
Then I remembered that it has always been that way. I could always wiggle my rear brake caliper. Since it was flush on the belt side I put a shim on the brake side. Should do the trick. Just finished new brake pads, speedometer fix, changed all fluids and tightened the primary chain. I'm ready to roll.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Used the "How to" to do everything. Great site!
Happy New Year!

You may have something wrong, either with your assembly or the two smaller spacers on the brake side. You should not have to shim that up at all. If you are able to move or turn your spacers by hand, than your caliper bracket is loose that means your rear wheel wobbles and that is not good. Either you have the shoulders on one or both the two small spacers facing the wrong way. If not, I would consider ordering all three spacers from BDM to be on the safe side, that should not be loose or shimmed. Just saying

Ride Safe

Carlos

 

[Moespeeds]

Something is wrong for sure. Assuming the spcers are indeed installed properly, could be that somehow your swingarm got spread open. Get a measurement from someone with a k9 and check it against yours. Double check your swingarm axle bolts. Last resort I'd take out the spacers completely, center the rear wheel on the backbone, make sure the belt lines up, pump the brake so it clamps on the caliper, then measure all the spaces and have new spacers cut. Something like that doesn't just happen. Either the spacers got switched out, put in wrong, or something catastrophic happened to the swingarm. Has any welding been done on it?

 

[Phatnasty]

Thanks guys. No welding done on it Moe that I know of. I've had the bike for two years now. Bought it in Dec. 09 with 9k miles on it. Like I said, I think it's been that way since I've had it. The spacers are in correctly, shoulders facing the bearings. I'd hate to buy new spacers if they are expensive and that not be the problem though. My buddy has a 08 k-9. Maybe I can measure his? Have a great weekend!