Need advise from someone. I recently noticed that my rear axle has a slight bend and wobble on the right rear wheel. It appears it is just behind the hub. I am debating whether to replace the axle or not. I know how hard it is to replace already. Could I damage the bearings if I don't and how long could I run on the bent axle if I don't? It's a minor bend, you can't feel it when you ride. I just don;t want to go through the expense and time if I can ride with it like that.

 

well i would replace it, but that is me. i bent the one on my warrior and it ws just like yours. but i know for a fact that you can have some one put it on a leath and they can unbend it. but that person must know what they are doing. but i bought a aftermarket one for $400. but i you feel safe then leave it be.
good luck !

 

A stock rear axle goes for around $100 on eBay and it takes <1 hour to change it out. Seems an easy fix to just replace it.

 

If I were you I would think about replacing the axle. I don't see where riding it would hurt anything for now, only that the axle could be weakened and could bend more later if you land on it wrong. I would not get it straightened because that axle will never be as strong as it was before. If you are going to take the axle out you should go ahead and replace the axle bearings and seals. They are only $40 and you don't want to have to pull the axle out twice.

 

u can get a Gforce axle for $200...

 

Less then an hour? Any tips? Last time I replaced one on a warrior, it took over an hour just to pound it out. Do you remove it by pounding the axle out first or did you remove the carrier ends? From what the shop manual says, you remove the axle and leave the carrier in place. One more question, how do you press the axle back in once you replace the bearings? Will the tightening of the axle nuts press it into the bearings?

 

if i wanted to i could have the axle out in either of my quads in about 10-15 minutes..

leave the carrier in the quad, the axle presses itself into the carrier as you tighten the nuts.

 

Remove hub, then the axle nuts, slide off the sprocket, pull axle out. If suborn, pull hard. You can leave the left hub (and tire) to get a better grip if needed. Grip tire with hands and put foot on swing arm and pull.

If still stubborn, but a socket over the threaded end of the axle (so it bottoms out on the axle, not the threads) and give it a whack.

New axle should slide right into place. Snug up the axle nuts and that will fully seat it.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Speedy2222

if i wanted to i could have the axle out in either of my quads in about 10-15 minutes..



leave the carrier in the quad, the axle presses itself into the carrier as you tighten the nuts.</end quote></div>

Try doing 10-15 minutes on an old bike that still had the factory bearings in it!! By the way, when I bought my Warrior the axle was bent real bad. The guy I bought it from clipped a fence post with the rear tire while trying to fight off a huge spider! But anyway, I heated the axle up with a torch at the bend and bent it back straight. I rode it with that axle for about 6 months with no problems. It was only a matter of time before it bent again because the heat I put on it took the temper (strength) out of it. I finally replaced it with a Durablue.