Topic: Rear wheel spindle

[Blind Bob]

Guys

Have got a problem with removinging the rear spindle (axle) from my 78 550/5 F2. Trying to remove wheel to change chain and sprockets have come to a dead stop. Followed the manual by removing split pin and axle nut, (right side) brake torque arm and brake rod, loosened chain tensioners and removed link from chain. Problem is the spindle will not move! I have put a spanner on the left side nut but even with a 3ft extension will not move. I have tried tapping the spindle from the right side with a block of wood and lump hammer, put a tommy bar through the split pin hole, but even brute force will not move it. When turning the wheel by hand it gives a rough intermittant grinding noise which I though previuosly was the worn out chain etc. but obvious;y not.

Am I missing something, has any one had this problem before?

Regards

Bob

[El Taco]

Sounds a bit rusty. I've had to drift a few out. Lots of WD 40 and hammer time......(no pun intended)

[kghost]

Sounds like it rusted to the bearings. Cross fingers, Hammer.

[Blind Bob]

Guess its the big hammer! Would heating the alloy spindle housing help?

Good chance the bearings are u/s I suppose.

Bob

[TwoTired]

I had a similar problem with my 78 CB550.  The swing arm ends are removeable so you can slide the whole wheel assembly off the bike (detach all the brake bits and chain guard).  Then you can put it on the bench and block it up so the hub and bearing race is supported around the axle.  Put a nut or two over the threads so you bash on the nut and not directly on the axle, so it won't mushroom.  Then wail on it 'til it pushes free.  If the bearing that is seized onto the axle isn't destroyed now, it probably will be when you get it out.  The bearing retainer is staked plus it requires a special tool for removal.
I started to make one, then called the Honda Shop, to see if I could borrow/rent theirs.  They told me a $25 charge to remove and replace plus the bearing cost.   I didn't think I could make a tool for under $25 in labor and materials.  So, off to the shop with wheel in tow.  They struggled against that staking for 45 minutes with that special Honda tool, were about to give up when it finally budged.  Replacement and reassembly were uneventful.  And, I was quite pleased to have been spared that final ordeal.

I hope your journey ends with as gratifying a conclusion.


Heating the hub will remove any clearcoat or paint that is there.  Further, the chain sprocket assembly is bedded in rubber dampers, which won't like the heat. There are also oil seals and o rings that can be damaged with heat.  You might want to look at the shop manual to see what you are goin to encounter.  Exploded parts diagram on page 73.

[kghost]

If you use a drill and lightly hit the staked spot to true it up, the retainer will unscrew with two punches and a screw driver.

[Blind Bob]

Guys

Eventually got the spindle rotating last night, by putting a tight socket on the left side and hitting it with a hammer whilst, applying pressure with a long breaker bar. Spindle now rotates with heavy pressure, but still wont come out of the hub. Will carry on tonight with the persuasion.

Thanks for the info

Bob

[bryanj]

TRy heating the steel spacer outboard of the rear brake plate it usually rusts to the spindle. Yours does not have the removable swing arm ends which should not be on any 77/78 models

[TwoTired]

Yours does not have the removable swing arm ends which should not be on any 77/78 models

There were no 78 model CB550Fs in the USA.  77 was the last year and no they don't have the removeable swing arms ends.  However, all the K model CB550s did have the swing arm ends.  All mine do, anyway.
They look like this:

[cb750_chris]

If you can get the wheel off of the swing arm take all the hardware off of the nut side and tap on the other side untill it is as far in as possible. Actually ,if you can, clean the spindle as much as possible on the non threaded side before tapping it in.  After tapping it all the way in wet sand the spindle on the threaded end untill it is polished and rust free.  Now you should be abble to remove it without any hamering at all. 

Good luck. 

[bryanj]

The last K3 i worked on was a US model but not sure wether 77 or 78 and the frame is long gone but that one did not have the removeable ends. What i do know is that honda altered the wheel hubs, brake plate and spacers and whilst the complete wheel assembly will transfer individual parts, except brake shoes, wont.