Rear Wheel Installation
 

Hi

Today was my second time of putting the rear wheel back in after tyre work.

What a chore - taking it out is easy but I must be missing something coz putting it back in was a nightmare.

The two spacers kept dropping out and I had a lot of trouble getting everything lined up especially the rear calliper and its mount - in the end had to remove the pads to give myself enough clearance.

There must be an easier way coz otherwise doing it "in the field" must be a nightmare.

Cable tie the sprocket/carrier to the spokes to hold that in place.

Extra generous blobs of grease on the spacers tend to keep them in check.

Lever the pads back into the pistons (keeping an eye on the fluid level in the master cylinder) gives extra play needed.

I also use a piece of wood resting under the wheel to act as a lever/chock to lift the wheel, so I can concentrate on getting everything aligned without having to worry about supporting any weight at the same time.

There are other ways, probably better ways, but this is what seems to work for me.

placing something under the wheel to keep it up & in line with the axle deffo helps, and getting everything lined up as straight as poss also. That sliding caliper bracket IS a nightmare !! i wouldnt like to have to change a rear wheel at night thats for sure !!

that's also my method to the letter...

To help with the wheel lifting scenario....

I sit on my bum facing the back of the moto,with my feet at the bottom of the wheel (left and right of rim)....and use my feet to lift the wheel up whilst getting it lined up....know what I mean kind of?




:)

I'm with Pleiades on this. Instead of a block of wood under the wheel though, I use a levelling chock for my campervan. Place this under the rear wheel before removal so that the wheel rolls rearward and down when removing. While you've got the cable ties out you could also secure the brake caliper carrier.

Yeah that's my method too. Use a foot to support the wheel like a jack.

The best method I saw was having 2 people do it at tyre dealers. 1 guy lined up the wheel whilst the other dealt with the brake calliper & then the chain. Many hands make light work.....
On your own out at night in rain is another kettle of fish.

I'm sort of a combo of all those bum down feet either side block of wood dollop of grease n some swearing n sweat

Ah so I was doing it sort of the right way - what a nightmare.

Like people say glad it was not dark.

Yep, they are a complete pita to do! the fact the spacers are not positively fixed makes it more fiddly, it is a pity they don't follow the design used on most offroaders, the spacers fit inside the bearings. I use a lc4 rear wheel, it's not an easy conversion

like this
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...llyprep002.jpg

I have just removed the Rear wheel from my XT660Z and fitted a Mitas EO9 and a UHD tube (4mm thick). This is a story/saga all by itself...

While I have the wheel out I cleaned up the cush drive and blocks. Only have 2700 K's on the bike and the cush rubbers are just about fritzed.

Have done a modified "Ken-Mod" by cutting strips 25mm by 50mm from a surplus inner tube and packing each quadrant with two packers. I coated the male drive legs with a smear of Molykote 55 O-Ring Grease and the whole thing went back together with minimum effort.

There is virtually no movement in the hub now, and no possibility of loading up the hub as the packers are on the drive faces only. Will take the hub out at 5000K's and see if this method works.

As for putting the wheel back in...That is a job for tomorrow

Yeah, +1. This seems to be the best way for me too.

Simular to above, Used the tip about Cable tieing the Hib in makes it easier and pulls it up tight for the space.

I used a Ratchet Strap through the Wheel and over the bike behind the rear hand grips and used it to lift the wheel up gave my both hands for the spindle.

Ooh and Swearing.

:102::glasses12:

another pair of hands is very useful here...but I agree if you are on your own its a pain in ....; it took me good 30min to put it back, the spacers are ok but the bloody rear caliper kept sliding out of the plastic guide - i reckon to cable tie/duct tape it to the swing arm just to keep it steady, also, as mentioned above, a piece of wood under the wheel worked for me!

Where can I find a link to this Cush drive mod? Repacked mine but not enough and wasn't sure where to actually put the packing

This thread is the one with the pictures...

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=12422

This is Kev's (Ken's ;) ) original post...

http://www.xt660.com/showpost.php?p=99604