Guys:

I broke off a rear wheel - just the tip of the outer U joint broke off (was hauling a loaded trailer, didn't notice a log jammed under the rear wheels) but that was enough, and the whole axle has to go.

Can anyone give me a quick rundown on how to remove and install the rear axle on an IRS 500?

Thanks,

--John

 

first ,if the bike is still under warrenty the dealer should replace it. mine has broke twice and the neighbors broke just 2 weeks ago. no questions asked. they replaced them. they didnt care i had over size tires either. $150.00 for the axle and labor, may as well ask anyways! if not its all pretty simple but hard to explain. i just took the wheel off mine and went from there. look to see what needs to be taken off. once you get to the axle its self, give one good pull and it should just pop off . to put it back on give it one good push. to do all this should only take 30,40 minutes tops. maybe some else will be in to walk you through it.

 

Hey, nothing to it! Jack the Cat up, take the top bolt out of the rear bearing carrier, swing the carrier down to give the axle a bit more space, a few tugs and it pops right out. Hit the bearing with some fresh grease as long as it's exposed, work the new axle in, swing the bearing carrier back up, bolt it on, and then bolt on the hub. About half an hour.

It was interesting to note that, despite 3 1/2 years of farm use, and countless creek crossings (have to cross a creek twice to get to the back of my farm), all seals are holding up just fine, no sign of water or dirt getting into the diff or outer wheel bearing.

The broken part was a bit of a freak occurance - coming down a hill with probably 700 pounds of cut oak in a trailer. Brushed against a log at the side of the trail, it rolls under the Cat sideways, gets jammed against the wheel, and the weight of the trailer kept pushing us down the hill. Popped the tip of the outer U joint off, and the hub carrier came off.

The excellent condition of the seals when I got everything apart is enough to keep me buying Cat. Now, TRV or 650 H1? If they'd just put the H1 in the TRV, and then have the 2nd seat interchangeable with a dump bed or rear rack, I'd be heading to the bank tomorrow...