Seized thru axle

[fimbles]

Hello all. I am new to the forums.

I have a lappiere overvolt HT 2019 with a rear Shimano FH-MT400 hub and a Lappiere 12 mm thru axle.

I tried to remove my rear wheel recently as usual but it was seized solid. I got out the socket set and gave it a lot more pressure and after a few loud click noises it seemed to come loose. What had actually happened is the back nut, cap had instead started to spin with the thru axle. im guessing its rounded itself or the frame out.

The thru axle appears to be seized solid and i am currently spraying it with WD40 to try and loosen it up.

This is the remove side of the thru axle:

This is the back nut side that never used to spin but now does.

Any advice on how to proceed with this would be appreciated. Have i ruined my frame.
Thanks for any and all advice

 

[steve_sordy]

That sounds nasty!
I hope that someone on here can help, failing that it's a trip to the bike shop!
Best of luck!

PS: The axle might have sheared. I had the rear axle shear on a Whyte T130C RS. It went on a one-week old bike! The alloy axle was replaced with a steel one (a weight saving measure too far?)
If you are able to prise apart the stays, then the axle has sheared for certain.

Later edit: Correction, it was the hub axle that sheared, the axle itself was just badly scored.

 

[irie]

That sounds nasty!
I hope that someone on here can help, failing that it's a trip to the bike shop!
Best of luck!

PS: The axle might have sheared. I had the rear axle shear on a Whyte T130C RS. It went on a one-week old bike! The alloy axle was replaced with a steel one (a weight saving measure too far?)
If you are able to prise apart the stays, then the axle has sheared for certain.

Don't think the axle has sheared, instead looks like the sleeve the axle threads into has sheared from the triangle. Take it to a bike shop and get them to remove it (is what I would do). Either way it's a bike shop job rather brute force,

 

[fimbles]

Thanks for your replies. Most helpfull!

I do not think the axle has sheared as you can get an hex key in both ends of the thru axle. i have put a lot of pressure on the axle trying to remove it and it is simply seized. i am soaking it in WD40 and hoping for the best.

I would agree it seems the triangle end cap has come loose inside the frame.

Will this make the bike unsafe to ride? or just be a problem having to use 2 hex keys to remove the axle in future?

I have quite a few tools and a little mechanical sympathy, Would this be possible to attempt myself?

Ill post back if i have any luck removing the axle. Thanks!

 

[RustyMTB]

Well it's not likely to fall out... If you have access to a blow torch & a VERY steady hand, I'd try heating it but only very locally. Nothing beats heat for breaking a corrosion bond but if in doubt, don't.

 

[irie]

If Google is right that the Lapiere overvolt HT 2019 is alloy then I would guess that the threaded sleeve will have been an interference fit punched into the hole (?). Obviously that's not going to work again. If the sleeve thread is clean and the axle threads easily into it then I'd guess the sleeve could be glued with epoxy or similar back into place. With everything spotlessly clean before doing this of course. Alternative is to take it to a bike shop with mechs who know what they're doing, which is what I would do. Good luck.

 

[RustyMTB]

I see the post has been deleted. At this point, you are close to permanently damaging the frame. The part should not be spinnng in the frame, it is likely to be pressed in at the factory or frozen to contract it. Either way it appears to be an interference fit & if it's now spinning, it suggests either the frame or the bolt has had material removed. Anything is recoverable within reason but this is getting into the realms of a professionally equipped workshop which is your best bet.

 

[fimbles]

Thanks for all the help!
I have found the problem and thought i would post it just in case anyone else has a similar issue in the future.
With the help of of an impact driver, Copious amounts of WD40 and a little swearing i managed to remove the thru axle.

I then tapped out the end nut with a small socket and my hand, no force required.

There is a small grub screw that is hiding behind the derailleur that holds the dropout nut in place and stops it from spinning, You can just see it poking out inside the axle hole in the first picture.

The thru axle does not seem to be too damaged but a few threads are binding slightly so i may just replace it, Tighten up the grub screw and should be good!

Thank you for all the help and suggestions, Much appreciated!

 

[fimbles]

So. now the axle has ben removed i thought it would probably be a good idea to replace it with one that does not rely on a tiny grub screw.
Can anyone recommend a replacement that has hex key/nuts/ect on both ends that will fit?

 

[irie]

So. now the axle has ben removed i thought it would probably be a good idea to replace it with one that does not rely on a tiny grub screw.
Can anyone recommend a replacement that has hex key/nuts/ect on both ends that will fit?
View attachment 152837

You will still require the sleeve for the axle to thread into. So reinstall the sleeve, grease the axle so that it doesn't seize again, and lockwire the other end. Periodically remove the axle and regrease it.