350X left axle moves back and forth one notch....ok?

[clong]

Last night while working on my 350X I had the bike up on a stand and was spinning the rear axle cleaning the inside of the rear wheels and each time I spun it, I would hear a knock sound on the left, I investigated a little more and noticed I could acctually move the left tire forward or backward just about 1 spline notch and the right side of the axle didn't move at all. Does anyone know what could be wrong?

Thanks so much.....Chris

[CorbinKale]

Splines is the keyword there. They are getting worn because the hub is not tight on the axle. Pull the cotter pin and nut to get the hub off the axle. Clean out all the rust and dirt, (I put a bit of grease on the splines) then replace the hub and get it nice and tight. When you find it is loose enough to wiggle, then tighten it a bit more to keep it from wearing out. If you can keep that nut tight, those splines will last forever.

[ATCWRENCH]

use blue label thread locker on those axle nuts as well. before I did that i couldnt ride 10 minute before the axle nuts were loose again. blue label thread locker is very mild and will not hold nuts/bolts so tight you cant loosen them but strong enough to hold.

[clong]

Thanks for the info guys. I do believe my castle nuts on the ends of the axles could use some tightening, but I also think I feel some play in the axle by the disc brake rotor. It may be time for bearings but this surproses me becasue the trike has low hours. Still I may have to brake down and dismantle the axle.

[CorbinKale]

If you are planning to get into the rear axle bearings, go ahead and spray the axle/lock nuts with PB Blaster today! And remember that those threads are reversed from regular threads.

[bigred1981]

It might be worth your time to make sure the axle nut hasn't backed off first before tearing it all down. This is a problem on a lot of Honda's and It has happened to me and many others before. I'm thinking to invest in an aftermarket axle nut that will not back off.

[hrc85250r]

sounds like you need a new hub, axle and axle bearings...