Just found out I have a bent axle on my 350x.

[swampthang]

On the slow road to fixing up my 86 x. I noticed a wobble in the rear end as I rode down the road. Axle carrier bearings was worn so I replaced them. Still a wobble. Rear wheels where bent. I replaced them. Still a wobble. I set the bike up on my lift and let it run in gear as I watched. Axle is slightly bent on the left end.

Heres where my questions come into play. Should I take this to the machine shop and have them try to straighten it? The splines are in great shape so is the threads. Will this make it weaker? I just torn the axle out of the bike and I cant figure out if the hub that holds the sprocket on comes off. I just looked at the manual and It doesnt show them removing it. It looks like it comes off its on splines. How does it come off?

[rdlsz24]

You can get it straightened. I sent one to Dirtcrasher on here but I think he is too busy with other stuff to take any more in. Every month in the back of Dirtwheels there is an ad for some place in PA that straightens them for $75

Rob

[fabiodriven]

Yup, just get it straightened. I've heard guys thinking it might weaken them but I've never seen any evidence of that personally.

[Dirtcrasher]

Hopefully I can get back in the game when my father loses the houses.....

Yes, you can leave that sprocket hub in place.

I'll tell you this. some axles are very hard to get with the tolerance ( thought it was .012) I try to get them dead nuts to .005.

[swampthang]

Yup, just get it straightened. I've heard guys thinking it might weaken them but I've never seen any evidence of that personally.

Good to know. I called 2 shops localy first said they didn't do that anymore(not a surprise they suck) Second said they could try putting it in a press for shop rate labor but couldn't guaratee anything.They said it would weaken it. I dont plan on doing any major jumping on the X. Im a big dude 6'3" 230 the frame would prolly shatter like glass with the old suspensionand no gussets in the frame yet (gussets and suspension rebuilt on the way!)

[Xowner]

Good to know. I called 2 shops localy first said they didn't do that anymore(not a surprise they suck) Second said they could try putting it in a press for shop rate labor but couldn't guaratee anything.They said it would weaken it. I dont plan on doing any major jumping on the X. Im a big dude 6'3" 230 the frame would prolly shatter like glass with the old suspensionand no gussets in the frame yet (gussets and suspension rebuilt on the way!)

My questions is how bent is it? Did you notice it while riding on the dirt? While it COULD cause your bearings to wear faster. If its not bent that bad just ride it. Just depends on how bent it really is.....

[Dirtcrasher]

One time I got a severely bent axle and I told him "I'll do it but I am not responsible for the outcome".

They usually run-out about 1/8th (.125)

[swampthang]

Its not bent too bad. I dont really notice it on dirt but if you ride down the road and look down as the left wheel you can see it wobble. I'm going to take it to the machine shop tomorrow but there always busy it might be a few weeks before I get it back.

Ok I did a crappy attempt to measure my axle. I laid the axle on a table resting it on the hub that you bolt the sprocket to with the left side (short side) in the air. I measured from the very tip of the end of the left side of the axle to the table. Turned it to the next spot it would rest and measure it. After measuring it in 4 places the measurement said it was off about a 1/8th inch but that is measures at the very end of the axle down . IDK if that makes any sense but thats swampthangs ghetto axle measurement procedure.

[Vealmonkey]

Yes, my 350x adventure started with a bent axle, then went to a better frame to replace the one I had cracked and repaired twice and it just balooned up from there. LOL

[swampthang]

Yes, my 350x adventure started with a bent axle, then went to a better frame to replace the one I had cracked and repaired twice and it just balooned up from there. LOL

You said it Veal, I've had everything apart on this thing. Its been down to the bare frame 2 times already and I've only had this 350x for less then 6 months. I should have just started with a bare frame and bought parts. What looked like a good bike was worn out once I got into it.

[Mosh]

We have a used 85 axle for sale if all else fails. I can put it in some V blocks and make sure it is straight.

[swampthang]

We have a used 85 axle for sale if all else fails. I can put it in some V blocks and make sure it is straight.

Great! I might have to hit you up for it if I can't get this one straightened. I'm going to swing by the shop today to see what they tell me.

[swampthang]

Just got back from the machine shop. Sounds like good news they think they can straighten it. It wasnt bent too bad. They also said they have straightened a ton a atv axles! Now I can start my weekend on a happy note.

[swampthang]

Good news I got my axle back! They got it straightened out to .020 but it rides like its perfect. I can ride on a hard surface smoothly now. I got it up to about 50mph, about as fast as I want to go on my old weather cracked tires, and it road straight as an arrow with no vibration. It was totally worth the whopping $30 I spent to have it straightened Now to get a new set of tires for this beast.