2021 Wild FS Axle stuck

[blackteaonesugar]

I was out riding at the weekend and my bike started to make a bit of a squeak coming from the rear wheel.
A sort of dry, rubber squeak.

I went to investigate and wanted to remove the rear wheel so I could check the bearings etc (it's a fairly new Superstar wheel)

However, I couldn't remove the rear axle. When I unscrewed it, the allen head end was sort of retained within that knurled plastic surround and all that happened was the axle unscrewed on the non drive side, separating the chainstays, forcing them apart until there was a gap on the NDS between the dropout and the hub.

The axle 'head' just wouldn't come out from the drive side.

I tried to tap the drive side chainstay inwards and eventually, the axle came out maybe about 50mm but just would not come out any more no matter how hard I pulled. It caused the plastic shroud to pop off, leaving the washer beneath loose. Despite this, the axle was still stuck.

All I could do was tap it back in and tighten it and hope I didn't need to put a new tube in or anything.

Anyone had this happen?
Any idea what's causing it and how I release it?

Number 3.4, the plastic shroud is loose and off now, but the axle will not pull out.
Any ideas?

 

[BIG-DUKE-6]

Is the derailer hanger still loose on the axle?
Spray the whole thing down with break free and let it set overnight. Sounds like something heated up and welded to the axle ( that noise you heard)

 

[blackteaonesugar]

I'll check again.
I presume it's loose as the axle turns ok without much force with a hex key.
Just won't come out!

 

[VWsurfbum]

WD40 and long punch.

 

[blackteaonesugar]

Yeah, I know how to force it out!
I was hoping maybe someone may have had an idea what or why it's happened is all

 

[BIG-DUKE-6]

Let us know what you find. Thanks

 

[Anders]

Yeah, I know how to force it out!
I was hoping maybe someone may have had an idea what or why it's happened is all

I think there is corrosion between the bearings' inner races and the axle (perhaps the bearing is rusty). Or between the derailleur hanger and the axle (less likely as it riotates freely). Or both.

In any case, the above suggestions about penetrating oil, heat and a punch is most likely the way to get it out.

Is the axle stainless? Does it have any coating? On my (Hai)bike, it has a black coating, but also a smear of grease from the factory. The grease, I think, is what is missing in your case.

 

[blackteaonesugar]

Ok, I've got the axle out. Tapping it through gently with a metal rod.
It was tight and resistant to moving almost the whole way out.

There doesn't seem to be any particular signs of burrs or corrosion on the axle. The derailleur hanger looks fine.

The axle pivot bearings are a bit corroded and notchy but they don't actually bear onto the axle so I'm not sure how they should affect its removal.
New ones of those ordered anyway.

Maybe it's just general drying up of grease on the axle and needs a good strip and rebuild. There were a few little deposits of old grease on the axle but that's about it.

The hollow wheel axle is good and clean and so are the bearings in the hub. No undue resistance when pushing the axle through the hub.

And yes, it could do with a wash

 

[BIG-DUKE-6]

Well I guess you can add that to your monthly maintenance list.

Great follow up. Thanks

 

[Mikerb]

So with the wheel removed from the bike does the thru axle move smoothly through the hub?

Any thru axle is difficult to remove with the wheel in the bike if the wheel is not held absolutely square. So I suspect your knackered pivot bearings are to blame for your problem. The chainstays were possibly not aligned and therefore the axle was being held at a slight angle in the hub. Assuming that was the case I would be inclined to renew the hub bearings as well which may have been worn unevenly.