Alsport front axle help with removal?

[mini one]

Hi guys, I know some of you have alsport trikes, specifically the TS types with the wide 8” front tires. My question is how do or did you remove the front axle? They have what looks to be axles that are pressed in and through the bottom of the forks with a threaded hole in each end so that a bolt with the right sized washer would hold each side of the axle from sloding out to the right or left side of the fork bottom. I will post some pics ASAP but Rich D. Raced one this summer, so if his is the same maybe he or Gumpit the trike specialist could chime in. Possibly remove in a press? So far a torch, months of liquid wrench recipes and sound beatings have not helped. Thanks

 

[manchester1]

I had to get mine out with the press.

 

[mini one]

OK, thanks, that’s what’s next. It’s a good design but a little corrosion and they have become one with the forks... I remember now that you posted about having this model too.

 

[gumpit]

Im lazy. If stuff is stuck I usually just use a sawzall and cut then replace everything. I think ts 3/4. You could always just have another one made easily enough. Mike has a lathe. Maybe he could make you one.

 

[mini one]

True, especially since the spacers are frozen on it also now that I take a good look at it. One more try with a BFH and the torch and then it’s sawzall time.

 

[steven Durham]

Any one use anti seize compound

 

[mini one]

Not anyone from the Alsport Company , but seriously yes, I’m a big proponent of anti seize and loctite etc. depending on the application of course.

 

[steven Durham]

As a Alsport dealer in California back in 1972 I mostly was working on new machines . I have owned 7 Tri-sports and even in 2007 never had these issues . I guess it's the luck of the draw but all my units were always stored inside. I also was a Rupp Dealer and a Rare Roust-About brand

 

[wjustice]

Like its been said, the spacers stick to the axle. A press may help but make sure you support the opposite side when you press or bfh. The fork will spring out and absorb the impact. Most times the thread gets buggered up and the axle needs to be replaced anyhow. Put a bolt in the axle so that the head gets beat and not the threaded hole,

 

[mini one]

Thank for the replies guys, I wound up cutting the axles off since the spacers wouldn’t budge but I got the axles loose from the fork bottoms with a recipe of acetone and ATF mix. ive gotta say it seems like this mix does work better than other penetrant but maybe it’s just coincidental timing that it broke loose after the concoction was used.