Hi all, fairly new to the forum and messed up royally this morning.

My buddy was giving me a hand putting on my new tires. We were all done and just going around with the torque wrench and I'm not sure if it slipped or didn't work but I I've broken a front axle pinch bolt (tension bolt).

Any direction on what to do with this? I suspect it needs to come out so what is the best way to do this? Will I have to take the forks off?

I thought I would go ahead and change my tires now and save myself the trouble in the spring but my luck has been s^%t lately and I toss this one up to no good deed (or intention) goes unpunished.

Any feedback really appreciated.

Picture Link:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t...n%2520Bolt.jpg

 

Is any of it sticking out?
A pic or two would help so we can see what you're dealing with.

You may be able to get it to back out, if you can get a little grip on it.

 

Hi there,

there is a link at the bottom of the post. I can see pictures on here cause I'm new and don't have the proper rights so I don't know if it's working or not.

Unfortunately, it snapped of in the middle. May be able to get at it from the other side,

J

 

I saw that, but I was looking more for a close up and to see if its sticking out the back side.
Are there threads on the broken piece?

 

Here are more pictures. I got a little sick to my stomach after I did this and forgot to upload the other pictures I took.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6...%2520Bolt2.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C...%2520Bolt3.jpg

 

Lets try that again.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C...%2520Bolt3.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6...%2520Bolt2.jpg

 

Don't worry. Its not that big of a deal.

Is any sticking out the back side?
The good news is the shank is out. That bolt will screw out either way. It shouldn't be tight at all.
Try using a small screwdriver and catching a broken ridge and back it out. If there is some sticking out, use a hacksaw blade to cut a slot in it for a screwdriver.

 

The bolt is pretty much flush with the back. Will see if there is a ridge to try and back it out.

The questions I should have asked is whether its okay to ride like this. I can't see why not but just in case it's better that I ask this now.

Thanks,
J

 

Well I never would have guess it but I did it and I didn't ruin the threads. Took a punch and made a hole in the center and started drilling. In between drilling I used two small shafted square head drivers to turn it and within 20 minutes it was out.

Good things too as I had put the speedo back on incorrectly so then I had to remove, fix the speedo and remount the wheel. Thanks a MILLION!

J

 

Be careful when retorqueing bolts. I installed new front brake pads and when retorqueing the caliper bolts, I was doing it slow and easy and noticed that the bolt was getting easier to torque instead of harder. So I stopped immediately and took it out. The bolt was getting ready to break. It was skinny in the middle where it was stretching. So I replaced all four caliper bolts and saved 3 of the old ones for an emergency.