ATC front axle

Tul01 · Mar 30, 2009

I've spent an hour this morning trying to get the front axle out of our 1984 Honda Big Red. I've soaked it up with plenty of Liquid Wrench. It is different than our old 83 trike which had bolt on caps under the axle. I just don't want to force it and have to track down parts. It seems to be either stuck in the brake section or the right side fork. When I pound on the left side it moves and pushes out on the brake/fork on the right side. I've tried sticking something thru the hole in the "bolt head" but it wouldn't budge. I think it should just push out and is probably stuck with 25 years of contamination. Does anyone know for sure? I tried searching but couldn't find anything.

Thanks
Brent

Tul01 · Mar 30, 2009

Whoops heres the picture

plastikosmd · Mar 30, 2009

cant help you yet..just got an 84 myself..see the post in this section. will take a closer look at mine and see if i can help

EDIT

It appears on mine, the only way to remove the axle is to pull it out from the left side. The right/brake side appears to be a solid casting.

Tul01 · Mar 30, 2009

Yours looks like it is exactly the same as mine, only in better shape and I thought mine was in pretty good shape. I think the axle should slide out on the brake side, mine is just binding, I'm not sure if it is just rust or do I need to do something else. MD if you get a chance, and have some spare time could you loosen the nut on the axle and see if it just pulls out or drives out the other side. Thanks so much.

Brent

plastikosmd · Mar 31, 2009

Now that I look at it..it probably comes off from the right. The way the paint is on mine..they look like 1 piece. I wonder what the point of the cross-drilled hole is on the brake side..is it possible you have to unscrew the axle using that hole as a T-handle?

6string · Mar 31, 2009

It should drive out from the right side, the bolt head with the hole drilled in it fits flush against the triangle piece and is larger than the axle and hole itself. There is probably lots of corrosion or rust on that axle. I had a hard time getting the rear axle out of my 110 once, I just kept soaking it and "tapping" it with a 3lb. hammer. By the way, here is a good place for atc parts: DrATV OPERATES HERE Sorry they don't have the diagram for the front axle.

6string · Mar 31, 2009

Here is i diagram that might help:honda partsmanual fiche atc200x 85 atc200 partslist Good luck!

Tul01 · Mar 31, 2009

Thanks guys, spent another hour today and have managed to make it budge about 3/8". My dad was helping and he made a nifty tool out of an old socket to fit over the end of the bolt and put a pin thru. Now it turns, so hopefully this will let us work some penetrant in there. Those are nice links 6string. I might need to get a new axle after all is said and done, I'm very tempted right now to cut the ends off the axle so I can pull the wheel and get it on a press. I think that 16" axle might be quite expensive so I will have to try to be patient. My kids are on spring break and spending 10 hrs a day fixing equipment wasn't exactly what I had planned.

Brent

TOMMYHPX4X4 · Mar 31, 2009

if remeber corectly the cross hole in the end is where you can put the little cross bar for the socket that comes with the tool kit. i remeber takin the one off of one of my old three wheelers one time and i used the little bar to help turn the shaft plus i used it to hold backup when i put the nut back on the other side. but that was back in the mid 80's so don't hold me to it . it's been a while .

Tul01 · Apr 1, 2009

thanks Tommy you must be right, unfortunately the tool kit is long since gone for this one. I wonder why Honda didn't just use a regular bolt end like on the axles of their dirt bikes from the same era? Anyway I'd like to report success, my dad went back at it with the torch(again) while I was gone and was able to get it out(enough he could drop the front wheel off and cut of the remainder of the bearing with the torch). The axle was rusty like crazy but believe it or not the bearings originally appear to have been not bad. Just 25yrs of moisture/condensation.

by the way I had been in contact with the Honda Dealer closest to us and they used to do these trikes by the hundreds. When I initially told them of my dilema he (good guy dealt with before) snickered and said good luck. A piece of advice he did give was that when they started having trouble with these front axles when units were about 5 years old, they started pulling axles and greasing them on any unit that came in, as a service and to prevent future headaches for themselves down the road. Now to go install my $14 bearings

Thanks
Brent