Softail Rear Axle

[Garagerat]

The 06 Softail Night Train's rear axle is about 5/8" to 3/4" too short.
It appears to be correct for the model of the bike, part # 41110-79 A.
Once all the spacers are in place there is zero room to thread on the nut.

The current axle is 13 1/4" total length (measured with head). It is 12 1/2" shaft with threads and 3/4" in diameter.

Am I doing something wrong?

Are there longer axles to correct this?

Possibly the left side spacer is wrong (too long)?

[Dan89flstc]

Did I miss something here?

Is this from another ongoing thread?

[Tacocaster]

First, the obvious question:
Did you have that axle on that bike previously? If yes, then yes, you've done something wrong. Try that mother again.

If no, then compare the original axle's length to this one you're trying to use.
If original and you're sure you're installing it correctly, then there's a spacer that's either incorrect (too thick) or you're reading from the wrong instruction manual.

[kd]

  The axle fits the rear fork width and the wheel spacers have nothing to do with the overall axle length protrusion.  If it doesn't fit on its own without the wheel and (inboard) spacers the axle is wrong.  Possibly mislabeled part number?

[cheech]

Need more context.
As has been asked, did you take it apart?
The wheel and spacer assemblies fit tight with no gaps between the rear swingarm?
Is the rear swingarm bent?
Did you have to spread the arm to get them installed? i.e. wrong spacers.
Correct wheel for the app?

[Garagerat]

Yes, I have had it all together and was unable to use the left rear axle spacer, # 47577-00, because there was not enough room to get the nut on. The adjusting screw, # 47579-00, had to ride upon the side of the nut.
Today, I removed the rear wheel to start over. 
The rear swing arm is not bent.

Initially, the bike came to me in pieces. The rear wheel was off and the two spacers were on the axle.  I'm using the parts that came with it. 

The left rear spacer could be the problem. During reassembly it is extremely difficult to get the axle and spacers back in.

My guess is the left rear spacer I'm using is not the OEM spacer #41599-06, which is no longer available from H-D. It may be too long. I'm tempted to cut off about 3/4" from this spacer but since the correct one is no longer available I'm going to experiment with a generic bushing from Grainger.

[Tacocaster]

....and that is where I was going; thinking a spacer was incorrect.

Basket cases can present interesting puzzles at times.
I remember a good friend asked me to take a look at his "pile of parts" basket case '47 Indian. I didn't know a-hole from appetite about the Indian parts but I certainly did recognize the Sportster lifter in the mix right away.
 "One of these things doesn't belong here. One of these things isn't the same...." 

[Tacocaster]

In my case, when building a from-scratch chop with nothing "engineered" to reference, I installed the axle through the new wheel n' hub, brake caliber, rear sprocket and frame then moved the wheel and sprocket to center the belt on the sprocket n' pulley. After ensuring the rear tire was also centered in the frame, I measured for the required spacers. Cut some stock the required length, drilled the center out for the axle and installed followed all that with many miles and smiles later.....

I'm not recommending this procedure....just sharing what this backyarder did.

[biggzed]

Back to KD's suggestion. Does the axle fit properly through the swing arm with no wheel/spacers in place?

Zach

Yes, I have had it all together and was unable to use the left rear axle spacer, # 47577-00, because there was not enough room to get the nut on. The adjusting screw, # 47579-00, had to ride upon the side of the nut.
Today, I removed the rear wheel to start over.
The rear swing arm is not bent.

Initially, the bike came to me in pieces. The rear wheel was off and the two spacers were on the axle.  I'm using the parts that came with it.

The left rear spacer could be the problem. During reassembly it is extremely difficult to get the axle and spacers back in.

My guess is the left rear spacer I'm using is not the OEM spacer #41599-06, which is no longer available from H-D. It may be too long. I'm tempted to cut off about 3/4" from this spacer but since the correct one is no longer available I'm going to experiment with a generic bushing from Grainger.

[Garagerat]

The axle fits great. It must be the spacers causing the problem. I'm going to take the advise of Tacocaster and get everything centered and then build the spacers to fit the swing arm.

[Ohio HD]

Make sure to look at pulley alignment and caliper alignment before making spacers.

I just don't understand how the axle is short when the wheel and spacers are in there. Are you pushing the swingarm apart with the wheel and spacers? The wheel and spacers should slide in with little resistance if any.

[kd]

The axle fits great. It must be the spacers causing the problem. I'm going to take the advise of Tacocaster and get everything centered and then build the spacers to fit the swing arm.

I take it you mean the axle fits the hole diameter great.  To be clear, do you have any spacers on the axle that sit outside the rear swingarm holes when it is installed?  This would be a good time for pics of the assembly with it installed showing how and where it comes up being short.

[Tacocaster]

Ohio's suggestion is spot-on. The rotor should be on the hub and the caliber centered on it as well as the belt and tire properly positioned.
And I agree with KD; there's something we're missing or is not being shared/clarified. Not intentionally...just not seen as pertinent.
Pictures would likely be telling.

[xlfan]

Does anyone have a stock -06 FXST left spacer they could measure?

[xlfan]

that spacer is P/N 43654-00A ; .475  thick

Wow! That was quick   

[FSG]

standby ...  I $#%^$% up on that did the right side not the left   

[Garagerat]

Here is the pic of the rear axle with all spacers attached. My concern is there is zero threads showing to screw on the nut.

[fbn ent]

Here is the pic of the rear axle with all spacers attached. My concern is there is zero threads showing to screw on the nut.

I still don't get it. Can you post a pick of the other side too?

[Fugawee]

Could You possibly have a Front Axle versus a Rear Axle in Your picture there?
Realizing that You are there and I'm not...the Hole in the Axle appears to be a bit large similar to those on Front Axles.

[misfitJason]

That's a front Axel

[Ohio HD]

Good eye!   

[fbn ent]

Could You possibly have a Front Axle versus a Rear Axle in Your picture there?
Realizing that You are there and I'm not...the Hole in the Axle appears to be a bit large similar to those on Front Axles.

You are right Fug.

[Fugawee]

You are right Fug.

HaHa!  For once...
Now, if I could only get the Mrs. to say that every now and then.

[Tacocaster]

You're right, Fug!! (C'mon guys, give the man some props, he's married after all)

[Fugawee]

Nope...nope...not necessary...thanks anyway...appreciate the kind words.
My entire system will get way out of whack with too many You're rights.
Totally unaccustomed to it.

[Tacocaster]

Ya humble bugger! 

[IronButt70]

Nope...nope...not necessary...thanks anyway...appreciate the kind words.
My entire system will get way out of whack with too many You're rights.
Totally unaccustomed to it.

You should at least get an attaboy.

[Garagerat]

Definitely not a front axle. It has a hex head at the opposite end and measures exactly what an 06 Softail rear axle is in length. 

[FSG]

post a pic of the axle by itself

[Dan89flstc]

The axle fits great. It must be the spacers causing the problem. 

It is not being caused by spacers.

Spacers do not change the space between the swingarm ends.

Take the wheel and spacers off, slide the axle into the swingarm with just the adjusters, it will still be too short..

[hattitude]

Here's a picture of a used #41110-79A axle, with the spacers, from eBay. It is listed by a motorcycle dismantler that sells a lot of used parts..





Anyways, since the picture has a ruler in it... You should be able to tell if you have the OEM axle, and spacers.

If what you have matches what's in the picture, I'd have to guess you are doing something wrong to keep it from fitting properly.... 

PS- I just noticed he has the axle spacers aligned with the axle going from left to right, and I believe they go right to left as OEM, but that shouldn't make a difference in fitment..

[Tacocaster]

Likely correct, Dan although the hole in one end sure gave us hope. 

No one is sure just yet but we were thinking he may have "spread" the Swing arm to fit the spacers thus losing his thread purchase. He does mention the fight he had installing them and without clarifying pics, we don't know for sure about anything. 

There's likely a background story missing and with a lack of pictures.....well, we can only offer a guess. We only just found out it's a basket case build so.....who knows what's really in the basket? 

[Tacocaster]

Just looking at the picture Garagerat provided in #16 and noticed the adjuster is "flex'd" (cock-eyed) against the swing arm. Something most definitely doesn't belong here!

[Fugawee]

I kind of noticed that Myself.

You mention that the Bike came to You in pieces...
Is it possible that the previous Owner replaced the Rear Fork/Swingarm with one for a Wide Tire Kit?
Do You have any communication with the Former Owner to find out?
What size Rear Tire is being used?
HD had their own Swingarm for a Wide Tire which is Part #48747-07.
If You may have the time...You may want to go to Ronnies HD Parts Numbers, or another HD source and compare the Frames and Swingarms.
If You should compare an '05, '06, and an '07 FXSTB for instance...
You may find that there are some different Part Numbers for Frames, Swingarms, Spacers, etc.

Maybe Someone on-board here with a Similar Bike can measure their Inside, or Outside Width of their Swingarm and compare it to what You have.

[Garagerat]

The spacer I was using was 3/8" too wide. A smaller width spacer was installed and solved the problem of the nut not having enough threads to fit on the axle. 
I appreciate everyone's suggestions and insight. As always, the expertise on this forum is invaluable.

[Coyote]

The spacer I was using was 3/8" too wide. A smaller width spacer was installed and solved the problem of the nut not having enough threads to fit on the axle.
I appreciate everyone's suggestions and insight. As always, the expertise on this forum is invaluable.

Did you miss the part about "you have the wrong axial"   

[FSG]

post a pic of the axle by itself 

[FSG]

[FSG]

found this one on ePray ....

[Coyote]

  I owned a ST and I don't ever remember there being a hole in the end like that of the rear axial. Lot of things I don't remember these days though.

added, oh yeah, the cotter pin. 

[pauly]

Hi Coyote,
The hole was there at least in the 06,07 Softail as mine had it as well. It housed one of those fancy round split pin thingys that worked very effectively to be a final line of Defence for the nut coming off.
Thanks
Pauly

[cheech]

All solved but that's the reason I asked about the wheel.
In verifying your axle part number I noticed the FL Softails and the Deuce use a different left spacer and swingarm than the rest of the FX Softails.

Unaware if the spacer difference is due to what wheel they used.