Any suggestions on axle puller / pusher products would be appreciated. (bikes: 950 & 450) I've looked at a threaded unit by CJ Design, a hammer design by TouraTech and the Ty Davis puller product. Also, KTM puller, p/n 548 09 081 060 - do these un-threaded units really distort the axle? I expect that would take a certain amount of abuse. Just looking for suggestions from experience. Thx guys!
Well CJ is a member of this board. I have never needed a puller for my front axle in 50K miles though.
I like the Touratech unit cause I beat the crap out of it with a Big Hammer using to drive out the swingarm and it took it like a champ. It also works well on the front axle.
I've had good luck with the Zipp Ty axle pull. I run with it in place as shown,never an issue and works when needed. I've used it on 3 9xx's so far. I'm now also running there rear axle/adjusters and pull ,also working great for me. But I'm sure there are lots of options out there.
The flat wrench extension that gos under your seat (990/ 950) fits great to push out the front axle.. And it came with the bike.... -H
My $0.02: I have successfully changed my 990's front tire a half-dozen times without a single issue. Each time I did change the tire I have *religiously* applied a new coating of waterproof grease to the axle, too. Then one day I was in a rush and tried to slip out the axle and it resisted. While I didn't know about the width of the extension tool in my tool kit, I made the (costly) mistake of using the spoon end of my tire iron and pressed the axle back out. Once it got going it slipped out no problem. Fifteen minutes later I was trying to install the front wheel and I could not get the axle nut back on easily. I then pulled the axle back out and noticed an ever-so-slight burr on the threads (thanks to the tire iron spoon). I tried to clean up the threads with a file, but to no avail. I ran to the local shop and they cleaned the threads for me on the axle and I purchased a new axle nut. After I got home, I purchased an axle puller. I don't know why the axle froze or had so much resistance that time, but I figured I didn't want to risk this happening again on the tail side and I didn't have the proper tool (again, not knowing about the extension tool). For the OP, I bought a ZipTy puller. It has the simple swedge bolt attachment design and it can easily be removed if needed (to use on another 950/990 if they don't have one). I am sure any of the various pullers will work. And now that we know, the other extension tool might work (if someone has one). The axle puller is a quick and easy add on that doesn't cost that much, so it is probably a worthwhile investment if you have the spare change. YMMV
After noticing it fits the front axle diameter. I managed to damage the threads. My front axle was always hard to pull out. I had a workshop fabricate a threaded tube for me that fits at the position of the alluminum nut and has the other end tapered. This is my final fix. Cheers.
I made a couple of soft aluminium wedges that can be tapped in to the split in the axle clamp. The clamps only need parting slightly to enable the axle to slide freely. They do not force the axle clamp enough to stress or damage it. You could use flat screwdrivers, but they may damage the aluminium clamps + they get in the way when removing the wheel. These wedges can be kept in the tool kit, so that they are always handy when removing the wheel.
Just drill a hole near the outside edge and pull it out with an Allen wrench. Back off the axle nut, bump the end of the axle out and then pull the axle out with the wrench. No cost mod.
Looks a lot like these Bonz pullers.. http://www.bikebonz.com/images/sitebdy/purbdy/axle_p/of_axle.htm
Bonz would not make one for the Adventure.... I asked them. So I gave my Bonz and my axle to an awfully nice chap in UK....... $35 delivered to USA or pretty much anywhere in the world :)