Snapped 1 front axle pinch bolt
Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 6:46 am
by mappsterr
Just re-installed forks after replacing shock seals. I was in the final step of torquing the last pinch bolt (right side, opposite brake disc) and snapped it. Either my torque wrench failed or I missed the brake when the torque was achieved. I can not turn it by hand and all of the other bolts are appropriately tightened. I will replace it but wanted to get opinions on how safe it would be to ride for the day. Riding motocross track. Thanks.
Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 3:17 pm
by mappsterr
Drilled it out - replaced bolt - rode like a mad man!
Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 8:27 pm
by JimDirt
Sorry for the late reply as it seems you have the issue resolved , and not sure why the bolt broke as its a light torque so unless your Torque Wrench was WAAAAY off , it should not have snapped by being just a little past , i use a digital 3/8" drive Torque Wrench (MAC Tools)) , it "Beeps" when its getting close and has a colored light system that shows Orange for getting close , Green for the torque spec , and Red for over torquing , along with the digital readout that gives you a accurate number to see , i find "clicker" type wrenches to be off sometimes , especially if its 1/2" drive and using it to detect those small torque numbers our bikes have
As far as safety , those pinch bolts hold the fork lugs in position evenly , so as long as you had 1 bolt on , i think you would have been ok for the day , but i would have checked the remaining bolt every time you stopped riding to make sure it stayed set , because its designed to have both bolts holding pressure evenly , and with only 1 it could have worked loose over time and allowed the fork lug to move back and forth which could cause fork bind , the axle would not have been able to slide out because the other side would hold it in position , so that part would not have been a issue , just the fork bind
Though i don't think it would have hurt anything for riding the 1 day , i think if left alone and if the remaining one were to become loose and not be checked , it would allow the forks to move side to side which would not only cause the bike to handle oddly , it would begin to wear on the fork seals and create more handling issues down the road along with excess wear on the fork internal bushings , etc , but as long as it was checked you most likely would have been fine for just the day , but i would not have made a habit of riding with it missing
That said , glad you got it fixed !!