Thru Axle Maintenance?

[kipperkendall]

Had suspension serviced couple of months ago and guy said axle was pretty seized on. Just going to change to tyres and once again, axle seized again.

Managed to get it off with a bit of ingenuity but is there a good grease, oil to use? Is it a case of removing every couple of rides and cleaning and oiling??

Thanks

 

[Montana St Alum]

The through axle should rotate on bearings. Are some of the bearings bad?
No, it should not be necessary to remove, grease and reinstall a through axle to keep it operating properly.
Is it not spinning or is it just hard to remove?

 

[kipperkendall]

I’ll take a good look. Was completely jammed in.

 

[irie]

The through axle should rotate on bearings. Are some of the bearings bad?
No, it should not be necessary to remove, grease and reinstall a through axle to keep it operating properly.
Is it not spinning or is it just hard to remove?

Surely the bearings should rotate on the thru axle, not vice versa???

 

[steve_sordy]

Surely the bearings should rotate on the thru axle, not vice versa???

You are both equally correct. The outer race stays stuck to the bike frame. The inner race stays stuck to the axle. It's the balls and cage that move separately to both frame and axle.

 

[Montana St Alum]

You are both equally correct. The outer race stays stuck to the bike frame. The inner race stays stuck to the axle. It's the balls and cage that move separately to both frame and axle.

I meant the portion of the inner axle that the bearings are pressed onto and on the hub shell body on the outer surface. The OP's description of the problem with the "through axle" is a bit unclear. If it's just the "quick release" part of the connection, the problem could be difficulty inserting and removing. If it's a frozen bearing, the problem could be lack of rotation.
This is a good illustration on the i9 Hydras:

 

[kipperkendall]

Sorry I wasn’t clear. It’s the front wheel hub axle. Wouldn’t pull out so release oil and leverage eventually got it out. Either end, a short distance in, the axle has a build up of crap where I assume it had become stuck to the hub. Not sure what i can clean/fix on inner side of hub??

 

[Montana St Alum]

Sorry I wasn’t clear. It’s the front wheel hub axle. Wouldn’t pull out so release oil and leverage eventually got it out. Either end, a short distance in, the axle has a build up of crap where I assume it had become stuck to the hub. Not sure what i can clean/fix on inner side of hub??

Cool, so not bearings. A new through axle might do the trick, or clean it up and grease it and that might solve the problem. Wouldn't THAT be nice?!
No damage to the threads?

 

[kipperkendall]

Threads all good, managed to leverage it out, mm by mm. I’ll clean, grease axle and also check inner area.

 

[RustyIron]

Threads all good, managed to leverage it out, mm by mm. I’ll clean, grease axle and also check inner area.

Put a film of grease along the length of the axle. Any kind is fine. Use anti-seize on the threads.

 

[skinnyboy]

Sounds like either the bearing spacer is misaligned or spacer/inner races are (really) dirty. Axle should easily slide through the wheel, no grease required. Is the anodizing still intact all along the axle?

Cheers.

 

[irie]

You are both equally correct. The outer race stays stuck to the bike frame. The inner race stays stuck to the axle. It's the balls and cage that move separately to both frame and axle.

Once inserted and tightened the thru axle is static.

 

[RustyMTB]

I've had an axle seize to a hub before. As I wound it out, the rear triangle spread apart which was alarming. I had to get that thing drilled out. Since then, I apply a film of grease to the axles & regularly take them out & clean them.

 

[kipperkendall]

I’ve ordered a new axle. As you can see, the axle is scratched/worn marks.

I’m going to clean inside of hub and oil/grease well.

Any ideas why the damage has occurred?

 

[RustyMTB]

You can get electrolytic corrosion between steel & aluminium. It's the main reason I turn my nose up at Lotus Elises

 

[irie]

View attachment 128057 View attachment 128057 I’ve ordered a new axle. As you can see, the axle is scratched/worn marks.

I’m going to clean inside of hub and oil/grease well.

Any ideas why the damage has occurred?

If it was me I would throw that away and buy a new axle tbh, can't be doing the hub any good.

 

[RustyIron]

Any ideas why the damage has occurred?

See Post #10.
Some will tell you grease is not necessary. The bike store boys don't do it. The YouTube jockeys don't do it.
But your pictures show what happens when you don't use grease to protect the metal and inhibit water intrusion.

 

[Plummet]

View attachment 128057 View attachment 128057 I’ve ordered a new axle. As you can see, the axle is scratched/worn marks.

I’m going to clean inside of hub and oil/grease well.

Any ideas why the damage has occurred?

That is fine particles of dirt and grit build up through lack of removal of axle for months if not years.

Clean in up, Grease it up, remove every month or 2 to inspect and clean.

Job done.

 

[Montana St Alum]

View attachment 128057 View attachment 128057 I’ve ordered a new axle. As you can see, the axle is scratched/worn marks.

I’m going to clean inside of hub and oil/grease well.

Any ideas why the damage has occurred?

I have some vision loss, so it's hard for me to see exactly what's going on. Greasing the new through axle can't hurt (and definitely grease threads and metal on metal), but through axles shouldn't contact any portion of the hub axle. Properly fitting undamaged end caps will provide separation. Are they in good shape? Might as well check everything out while it's pulled apart.

 

[Plummet]

PS. The axle is completely fine. It just needs a clean up and re-grease.

 

[kipperkendall]

That is fine particles of dirt and grit build up through lack of removal of axle for months if not years.

Clean in up, Grease it up, remove every month or 2 to inspect and clean.

Job done.

Fyi removed and serviced 3 months ago. I’ll grease it up!

 

[kipperkendall]

Decided to replace axle with new one, fully cleaned hub and oiled up, then good application of grease in hub. All back together so I’ll see how it comes off next time.

Thanks for help and advice.

 

[sam.spoons]

View attachment 128057 View attachment 128057 I’ve ordered a new axle. As you can see, the axle is scratched/worn marks.

I’m going to clean inside of hub and oil/grease well.

Any ideas why the damage has occurred?

That looks like rust suggesting water has got in and been left there (must go and check mine as it got wet coming home last weekend )

 

[118]

grease will keep some of the moisture out..