Howdy Folks,

Have just serviced my 08 FXSTC, whilst changing the rear tyre and brake pads etc have notice the Right Axle spacer has 2 nasty cracks in it.

Has cracked all the way through at one point and approx 10mm further around has a crack halfway through.

Quite suprised to see this. Very happy to pick it up as I am just about to ride from  NSW to WA.

I have ordered another one, its coming out of HQ in Melb to Sydney, no dealers in Sydney stocked them.

Has anyone come across this problem before ?

Should I be concerned?  Not likely to easily crack a spacer, thinking the the axle is out of alignment or theres something going on with the swingarm.

 

Cheers.

 

Never heard of that before. Are your bearings ok? You could assume that the spacer cracked due to pressure placed on it. In turn that pressure has to be born on the inner bearing race of the rear wheel. However it could have been there since manufacturing and only became evident as time progressed.

I would be looking at your bearings to see if they have been damaged in anyway. I can't see anything with the rear swingarm that could cause that type of problem. And even if it was out of alignment it would show in the handling and adjustment of the belt. Shit to cause a crack it would have to be miles out of alignment.

They are only alloy as well so possibly over tightening the rear axle. By memory it is 60ftlbs. I am betting previous damage in production with a hairline crack and then over time became more evident.

torque settings for rear axle nut is 95ftlbs to 105ftlbs, just posting so ya don't have it come loose

Its 60ftlbs for the older Evos...my FXR is in that region. 95-105 seems bloody high to me!

3/4 axel vs 1 inch = more ftlb

I've "been over" this with a "Franchised dealers" workshop a coupla years ago

The axle spacers are directional, fit one way. the 2008 at least had 3 concentric rings machined to show orientation.

They are also "sided" and can't be flipped either side of the disc / sprocket

Wrong way round and you have wheel bearing failure , happened to me ,bearing fucked after a new rear tyre

Without admitting liability the workshop replaced said fucked bearing but the workshop foreman said to me , Quote

" We're all factory trained , what the fuck do you know ?"

" Quite a fucking lot actually " replies me and so the "polite conversation " continued

Next tyre I bought , also from them , I took in a loose wheel , I wonder why ?

Long story to say , this may be the root of your problem maybe ?