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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: BrianKD on September 05, 2012, 04:52:53 PM

Title: loose right alignment bolt
Post by: BrianKD on September 05, 2012, 04:52:53 PM
When I align my rear wheel, the alignment bolt on the right side of the swing arm is always loose. It rattles about.  If it tighten it down, it pulls put alignment marks off.

I tried the string method, but the string on the left side hits the center stand no matter where I place it.

Has anyone else had this problem?
Title: Re: loose right alignment bolt
Post by: Funderb on September 05, 2012, 04:59:11 PM
are you tightening the rear axle bolt to proper toque? its 39-58 ft-lbs. there is no way the adjusting screw can move it about if its properly tight. As for the perfect alignment, i'm still working on that one.
Title: Re: loose right alignment bolt
Post by: bombsquad83 on September 05, 2012, 05:07:02 PM
I had that problem to some extent when I installed my new chain.  I aligned my wheel using the fishing line method.  It wasn't extremely loose on the right side, but the nut was definitely much easier to turn than the left.  It got better the first time I adjusted the chain, and I turn the nut on the right in slightly more than the left.  It must not have been in perfect alignment, because the rear brake squeak got a little better after this adjustment.  I don't know if you have the rear brake noise issue too, but I think the alignment issue has something to do with the brake caliper holding the wheel out of alignment somehow. 
Title: Re: loose right alignment bolt
Post by: BrianKD on September 05, 2012, 05:35:19 PM
Quote from: Funderb on September 05, 2012, 04:59:11 PM
are you tightening the rear axle bolt to proper toque? its 39-58 ft-lbs. there is no way the adjusting screw can move it about if its properly tight.

Nope! I wasn't cranking it that tight. Do I keep the axle bolts finger-tight as I make my adjustments?
Title: Re: loose right alignment bolt
Post by: BrianKD on September 05, 2012, 05:38:33 PM
Quote from: bombsquad83 on September 05, 2012, 05:07:02 PM
I had that problem to some extent when I installed my new chain.  I aligned my wheel using the fishing line method.  It wasn't extremely loose on the right side, but the nut was definitely much easier to turn than the left.  It got better the first time I adjusted the chain, and I turn the nut on the right in slightly more than the left.  It must not have been in perfect alignment, because the rear brake squeak got a little better after this adjustment.  I don't know if you have the rear brake noise issue too, but I think the alignment issue has something to do with the brake caliper holding the wheel out of alignment somehow.

My rear brake doesn't squeak.

I tried the fishing line method today and hit a snag. The center stand! The fishing line hit the center stand and I couldn't get the fishing line to lay against the front left side of the rear tire.