Front axle removal tool

[Greg.Donald]

When I bought my F800 I set about gathering vaious torx driver bits and tools that looked like they might be useful. I read up on how to remove the front wheel and noted the two clamping bolts on the lower right fork leg and the large hex hole in the end of the axle. A BMW tool kit cost hundreds of dollars in this country so thought about making an axle remover - I assume that once the clamping bolts are loosened the axle unscrews.

Came up with a very cheap tool which consists of a black steel hex head bolt and a couple of nuts. Turn the two nuts on so that the bolt end is just recessed and get your friend to weld the two nuts in place on the bolt. You can now insert in the axle and use a plug socket on the end of the bolt to undo the axle.

[greyerbeard]

Yep - a little lateral thinking always goes a long way.

You can also use a bit of 22mm hex bar offcut, or the outside faces of a sturdy 17mm box spanner.

[f8st]

I just bought a 22mm long reach allen wrench. I had to order it at a tool store. Got it in a couple days. It's a big sucker and it gives you plenty of leverage. Works perfectly. The guy that sold it to me asked what I was using it for because he's had to order a few of them. After I told him he said he was going to start keeping them in stock.

[Will]

Yep - a little lateral thinking always goes a long way.

You can also use a bit of 22mm hex bar offcut, or the outside faces of a sturdy 17mm box spanner.
I too searched for an axle removal tool. While it's alright having a good selection of tools and equipment available in the garage, it's a different situation on the road.
I found an old 22 mm hexagon cold chisel from my apprenticeship days, which is no longer used 55 years on and cut a piece 40mm long off the end.
A 22 mm socket wrench fits over the end when used in the garage. If it's ever needed on the road the Torx T55 key can be used as a 'tommy bar'/lever through the hole drilled in one end.

[greyerbeard]

I found an old 22 mm hexagon cold chisel from my apprenticeship days, which is no longer used 55 years on and cut a piece 40mm long off the end.

And our wimmin wonder why we never throw anything away![:D]

[Dunny]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=70826&group_ID=17898

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/46700/46611.JPG

[Will]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=70826&group_ID=17898

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/46700/46611.JPG

That's ok Dunny, but it costs $28.25.:eek:

Mine cost 1 shilling and ninepence in 1949.

Secondhand, of course.:D

And I can still use the rest of the chisel as well.:D:D

[Dunny]

err yeah.......but look how shiney it is.

[Jason C]

Snap-on do some good stuff, but sod that! How different could a cheaper one be? I could justify buying a Snap-on wrench or a spanner, but not that.

[flatulence]

I did the same thing as the OP: bought the right size bolt to fit into the axle & welded a nut on it. You could use a roll pin or red Loctite if you don't have a welder. The size you want is 14mm. Cost me under $1.

[Jason C]

http://www.nippynormans.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TES-THINGY&variation=&aitem=95&mitem=102

[Will]

http://www.nippynormans.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TES-THINGY&variation=&aitem=95&mitem=102
Looks just the job Jason at £6. It's long enough to make 2 out of it, then drill a hole in one of them for a 'tommy' bar which saves carrying a 22mm socket and wrench with you on the bike.:)

[Jason C]

Looks just the job Jason at £6. It's long enough to make 2 out of it, then drill a hole in one of them for a 'tommy' bar which saves carrying a 22mm socket and wrench with you on the bike.:)

I was thinking it looked longer than it needs to be! It looks like a bit of stolen bar from someone's workshop :D

[F800ST Gal]

Hey just go to Cycle Gear in your town and ask for the MotionPro T-6 Axle Hex Tool. It was selling for 30 bucks however I see the price has gone up. There is also a $15.00 Hex Axle Tool that is steel so it's much heavier then the MotionPro, which is made from billet 7075 T-6 aluminum & weights only 2.5 oz. I carry mine in my tool kit that I take on the road when touring. Because if you don't have the tool, you can't remove your tire on the road, if the worst happens...
I also found it online at http://www.motostrano.com/moprot6suhex.html

Now go to NoMar http://www.nomartirechanger.com/ and buy his tire changing set-up, you'll be in NEW TIRE HEAVEN!
For that matter, ask as few more of your BMW Riding friends, in your area to go in with you, as it will be even cheaper. That's what we did 6 years ago! It has not only paid for itself a 100 TIMES over but it's also helped out a lot of other BMW riders (not all BMW riders are rich! ) who just can't afford the high prices that the dealers charge.

[ronc27]

Cycle Gear has one for $16.99 after shipping it comes out to around $27.00 here is the link. https://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=MRX_TOOL&tier2=14

[als02]

That's ok Dunny, but it costs $28.25.:eek:

Mine cost 1 shilling and ninepence in 1949.

Secondhand, of course.:D

And I can still use the rest of the chisel as well.:D:D
But how much was a beer then ?