How To Remove And Install The Front Wheel On Your Dirt Bike
Tools You Will Need For Your Front Wheel
- Socket for the axle nut
- Socket for the pinch bolts
- Socket brake caliper
- Large ratchet or breaker bar
- Torque wrench
- Block of wood
- Pliers
Pre-Service Notes
- Put your bike on a sturdy stand.
- If you need parts and tools, make sure to buy them here!
- Pictures with captions are after the steps below.
- If you need any help don’t hesitate to ask!
Rear Wheel Removal
- Step 1: Unbolt your brake caliper from the fork and hang it out of the way. You don’t need to do this, but it makes installing your wheel much simpler.
- Step 2: Loosen & remove the axle nut.
- Step 3: Loosen the pinch bolts, but don’t remove them.
- Step 4: Use your block of wood to punch the axle into the hub.
- Step 5: Pull out the axle.
- DO NOT USE A HAMMER TO REMOVE THE AXLE!
- Step 6: Pull up on your wheel to relieve the weight on the axle. Finish pulling your axle out of the hub with your pliers.
- When you pull the wheel away from the forks, make sure the hub spacers come with it.
Related: How to change the tune and tire on your dirt bike the right way!
Rear Wheel Installation
- Step 7: Clean every part of the wheel & hub before you install them. If you have some grease, apply a thin layer to every part you can.
- Step 8: Align your wheel hub with the forks and install the axle. Make sure to install the hub spacers if you removed them.
- Step 9: Install & torque the axle nut.
- Step 10: Torque the pinch bolts on the axle nut side first.
- Step 11: Re-install the brake caliper.
- Step 12: Take your dirt bike off the stand and compress the front forks a few times. This will allow the forks to align themselves to the axle.
- This is a very important step; misaligned forks will bind and potentially cause severe damage.
- Step 13: Torque the pinch bolts on the opposite side of the axle nut.
- Remember to take your time, and your bearing replacement will be easy.
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Keep Your Dirt Bike Running Right!