I just had new tires put on my 2012 fat bob and I'm reinstalling the rear wheel but I'm having an issue when I torque the axle nut. I'll get the wheel aligned and the belt tension set, then torque the axle nut and double check alignment and belt tension. The alignment moves after tightning. The nut side moves farther back. Has anyone else experienced this? Do I need to compensate for the movement? I have the service manual and have been following it. Thanks.

 

Are you pulling the wrench towards you when torquing the axle nut? Try pushing the wrench the other way and opposite side of the nut. This should snug the axle ***'y upon the adjusters.

 

I don't see how the axle can move rearward if both adjusting bolts have been set. One of the adjusting bolts must be not adjusted correctly before you tighten the axle nut. That's the only way you can get the results you are seeing.

 

Thanks for the responses, going to look into the adjuster blocks and make sure everything is correct. When I torque the bolt I'm pushing down on the wrench

 

You spelled tightening wrong.

LOL!

 

As you're tightening the axle nut - put you chest on the wheel..., and put weight on it to keep the wheel / axle from moving back - while ensuring both axle sides are fully forward and solidly on the adjusters

Now - obviously ensure the bike is strapped down to the jack..., and the jack wheels locked - so it don't roll / come off the jack

Ghost

 

I would also readjust with the axle nut just loose enough so the wheel can be adjusted. You don't need to loosen the nut that much at all to adjust.

 

[QUOTE=Rubline;16434076]I would also readjust with the axle nut just loose enough so the wheel can be adjusted. You don't need to loosen the nut that much at all to adjust.[/QUOTE

I think thats what was causing the movement. I was loosening the axle nut to much. When I would snug it up you could see the swing arm pull in a tiny bit and then I would check alignment again and it had moved . I started checking with the nut tight and was able to get it where I want it. Wish they had a better way to check alignment and belt tension. Thanks for the help.

 

I tap the allen heads on the adjusters as I tighten with a mallet. Check that the bolt head hasn't moved and if it has I restart. I always double check the alignment afterwards. Someone makes some handy axle plugs for this purpose that are about $100 cheaper than the Jim's ones that you can find on eBay, don't even know how much Harley's version costs. They made the process easier for me because it's easier than trying to reapply tape to try to get the center of a hollow axle.

 

I actually started tapping the Allen heads with a rubber mallet also. Works good. I noticed sometimes the allen bolt was moving instead of the block. Mainly the brake side. I have the jims alignment plugs, got them cheap luckily. Also have the motion pro alignment jig. Leaves a lot to be desired. Thanks for the reply.