removing wheel

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rszobel
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removing wheel

Post by rszobel »

I want to remove the wheel on my :macx: so that i can take it inside and coach whip. I need small projects to do while recovering from major back surgery :(

I pulled the black cap off and saw the nut holding wheel in place, but cannot figure out how to get the nut off -- lock wheel using 2x4 or something - is there a nut on the back side that i can grip ??
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kadet
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Re: removing wheel

Post by kadet »

First time I took mine off I used a rattle gun (air impact wrench) to shake out the corrosion :) From then on I have greased it well so I can just hold the wheel in one hand and use a socket wrench in the other and it breaks easily. All depends on how badly stuck it is in the first place, the nut can be the easy part pulling the wheel comes next 8) . I would be careful using a 2x4 and a breaker bar as something might break before the nut :? . Soak it well in WD40 and give it a go, if you feel you are using too much force get a hold of a rattle gun.
paul I
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Re: removing wheel

Post by paul I »

rszobel wrote:I want to remove the wheel on my :macx: so that i can take it inside and coach whip. I need small projects to do while recovering from major back surgery :(

I pulled the black cap off and saw the nut holding wheel in place, but cannot figure out how to get the nut off -- lock wheel using 2x4 or something - is there a nut on the back side that i can grip ??
Hit the nut with penetrating oil and remove it with a socket or wrench and use a 3 jaw wheel puller to pull the wheel off. (available at a very reasonable price from Harbor Freight https://www.harborfreight.com/three-jaw ... 69105.html).

There is no nut on the back side that I can recall. I think I just locked the wheel with something and turned the nut off. It's already been said, that is the easy part compared to removing the wheel itself. There is also a small key that will come free when the wheel is removed. Be sure to watch for it and save it. You will need it to re-install the wheel
rszobel
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Re: removing wheel

Post by rszobel »

thanks for responses. will try penetrating oil and get wheel puller if needed.
Estate Sail
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Re: removing wheel

Post by Estate Sail »

Once you get the nut off, use a gear puller to pull the wheel from the shaft. It is a tapered shaft and will not just slide off,
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eodjedi
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Re: removing wheel

Post by eodjedi »

Yes and definitely don't use a mallet and beat the wheel off. Use a wheel puller from Harbor Freight. I bent my wheel using a mallet.
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Bobglas
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Re: removing wheel

Post by Bobglas »

Careful w/ the puller. I tried to remove the wheel w/ a HF puller and all it did was push the point into the shaft mushrooming the end so that I could not replace the nut! Had to dremel grind the distorted metal off to replace the nut! Never did get the wheel off. :(
paul I
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Re: removing wheel

Post by paul I »

Bobglas wrote:Careful w/ the puller. I tried to remove the wheel w/ a HF puller and all it did was push the point into the shaft mushrooming the end so that I could not replace the nut! Had to dremel grind the distorted metal off to replace the nut! Never did get the wheel off. :(
Being from Harbor Freight, I'd have thought the puller would break before the shaft mushroomed that much. :D :D

I didn't have any such problem using the Harbor Freight pullers. I have also used them successfully to remove stuck on automotive disc brake rotors.
Baha
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Re: removing wheel

Post by Baha »

When the wheel comes off, don't lose track of the key (little crescent-shaped thingy that slides into a slot on the shaft).

I was lucky, my wheel came right off without a problem.
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eodjedi
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Re: removing wheel

Post by eodjedi »

I used a lot of penetrant and let it sit overnight. Then I drilled a small 1/8th inch hole into the center of the stud so that my puller wouldn't slip. If you do that, you shouldn't have a problem with the HB puller or risk mushrooming the stud. Don't hit the end of the stud with a hammer either, you will mushroom it ( I know I did, spent an hour using a Dremel to grind the stud so I could get the nut back on)
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gabid
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Re: removing wheel

Post by gabid »

eodjedi wrote:I used a lot of penetrant and let it sit overnight. Then I drilled a small 1/8th inch hole into the center of the stud so that my puller wouldn't slip. If you do that, you shouldn't have a problem with the HB puller or risk mushrooming the stud. Don't hit the end of the stud with a hammer either, you will mushroom it ( I know I did, spent an hour using a Dremel to grind the stud so I could get the nut back on)
That's a great idea. I usually use a coin in top of the stud, but it takes time to fiddle with it to stay in place.
vizwhiz
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Re: removing wheel

Post by vizwhiz »

Just in case you lose the little crescent shaped key that you're not supposed to lose... :(
They're called Woodruff keys, just so you can search for them successfully.
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Tomfoolery
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Re: removing wheel

Post by Tomfoolery »

gabid wrote:
eodjedi wrote:I used a lot of penetrant and let it sit overnight. Then I drilled a small 1/8th inch hole into the center of the stud so that my puller wouldn't slip. If you do that, you shouldn't have a problem with the HB puller or risk mushrooming the stud. Don't hit the end of the stud with a hammer either, you will mushroom it ( I know I did, spent an hour using a Dremel to grind the stud so I could get the nut back on)
That's a great idea. I usually use a coin in top of the stud, but it takes time to fiddle with it to stay in place.
Put an old nut under the screw of the puller - it has a hole in the middle so it won't try too hard to get away, and it keeps the point off the shaft. You may need to rap the shaft to break the wheel free. Just be careful not to pull too hard as the hub is very thin and will warp and look like crap if it gets bent.
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eodjedi
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Re: removing wheel

Post by eodjedi »

Tomfoolery wrote:
gabid wrote:
eodjedi wrote:I used a lot of penetrant and let it sit overnight. Then I drilled a small 1/8th inch hole into the center of the stud so that my puller wouldn't slip. If you do that, you shouldn't have a problem with the HB puller or risk mushrooming the stud. Don't hit the end of the stud with a hammer either, you will mushroom it ( I know I did, spent an hour using a Dremel to grind the stud so I could get the nut back on)
That's a great idea. I usually use a coin in top of the stud, but it takes time to fiddle with it to stay in place.
Put an old nut under the screw of the puller - it has a hole in the middle so it won't try too hard to get away, and it keeps the point off the shaft. You may need to rap the shaft to break the wheel free. Just be careful not to pull too hard as the hub is very thin and will warp and look like crap if it gets bent.

Yeah, I tried heating the bolt with a blow torch at first and ended up warping the hub a bit. So if you think heating is a good idea, don't.
MaritimeMenace
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Re: removing wheel

Post by MaritimeMenace »

I'm totally having probs removing my wheel.

applied penetrating oil, tapped the center stud a bit with a hammer, but kept rethreading the nut so it wouldn't mushroom.
Used a Harbor Freight gear puller, But now the center stud has fouled thread.

i was able to get the nut back on, but am apprehensive about messing with it anymore because I don't want to ruin anything
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