Front sprocket nut won't come undone.

steadysteve · Jan 6, 2020

Mate of mine is having issues getting a front sprocket nut undone.
He's bent the tabs back and tried long bars for more leverage and even had swmbo sat on the bike to keep it on the floor whilst heaving at it to the extent the bike is still lifting off the floor...

Just wondered if anyone can offer any top tips or pointers to get it off please.?

He's understandably reluctant to use an impact driver as all the shock will be transmitted to the gearbox but it's looking like it might be the only option.
He's tried turning it the other way in case it's left hand thread...
Thanks.

boxer · Jan 6, 2020

Cut it off.

steadysteve · Jan 6, 2020

boxer said:
Cut it off.

That's a possibility, maybe last resort. I haven't seen it but I imagine there won't be much stud showing after cutting off the head. Given that it's ferkin tight it might be best to keep the head intact for now. He said it's a big nut.
Thanks.

ReGenesis · Jan 6, 2020

You need to block the wheel against the swingarm. 2x2" usually works.
Then get a bigger bar.

Deleted account 200123001 · Jan 6, 2020

Is he going the "right way"?

I've not had many chain drive bikes but could the thread be opposite?

Deleted account 211025001 · Jan 6, 2020

My experience is usually you just need a bigger bar, they can be scary things to undo but always move in the end.

A small shock won’t harm the transmission either so I wouldn’t worry about that.

Andres

squibb34 · Jan 6, 2020

Usually the sprocket nut comes loose, so maybe someone has been in there & over-torqued the thing.

Cutting, as boxer suggests, may sound drastic, but it avoids applying excessive force. Presumably he is doing chain & sprockets, so damage to the front sprocket wont matter, but great care is needed so as not to damage the output shaft.

There are clips on YouTube, such as ......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLLUVyQ7wTE

Blackal · Jan 6, 2020

Use an electric-hammer action drill (doesn't need to be industrial strength) with a socket.

Rotary/vibratory action is much more effective than a huge breaker bar.

Spray with release-all before removing (proper release-all, not WD40)

steadysteve · Jan 6, 2020

blueranger said:
Is he going the "right way"?

I've not had many chain drive bikes but could the thread be opposite?

He says he tried it both ways...
Cheers

squibb34 · Jan 6, 2020

See the vid I posted - it's a standard RH thread, so anti-clockwise to undo.

steadysteve · Jan 6, 2020

boxer said:
Cut it off.

Haha, just seen the YouTube clip...I didn't realise its a nut on a shaft rather than a stud going into the shaft. Cutting it off definitely a good idea... :augie

Not sure why lifting the bike off the ground is an issue, i would have the bar going forwards and push down on it.

steadysteve · Jan 6, 2020

Thanks chaps-- I'll pass on all the info and take him a length of scaffold pole

twizzle · Jan 6, 2020

Rattle Gun - it took my Harley front pully off in milli seconds.

Bem · Jan 6, 2020

Its a bit tight with a conventional breaker bar, from memory its 95ft/lb? .
A rattle gun, or get a scaffold tube on it.

steadysteve · Jan 8, 2020

Bem said:
Its a bit tight with a conventional breaker bar, from memory its 95ft/lb? .
A rattle gun, or get a scaffold tube on it.

If it's 95ft/lb then it's not mega tight, car wheel nut territory, so it should come undone with 18" breaker bar and 2' scaff pole....

Smug · Jan 8, 2020

Why mess about. Take it to someone with an impact wrench.

Bin Ridin · Jan 8, 2020

Pour a kettle of boiling water on it, then try again with wheel blocked.

Scooter Boy · Jan 8, 2020

I had the same problem with the pulley nut on my Harley Dyna,rattle gun,1m breaker bar with my full weight on it,nothing,would not budge,in the end I carefully ground half way throught the nut with a Dremel and then a sharp tap with a small chisel and it split,£10 for a new nut but saved alot of grief.

ymfb · Jan 8, 2020

Have you bent the the two tabs on the washer back first ?

steadysteve · Jan 8, 2020

Smug said:
Why mess about. Take it to someone with an impact wrench.

As mentioned he's reluctant to impact drive it.. He only had a torque wrench to use so hopefully a proper breaker bar will give better results.
Not messing about, it's more the case he hasn't had chance to attack it with the right tools. I can't imagine a torque wrench would do the job properly.
Hopefully he'll make progress tonight...

Front sprocket nut won't come undone.

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younger than some, older than others

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