Stripped Axle on a Schwinn

partsguy · Mar 29, 2014

I'm almost done refurbishing a 1977 Schwinn Varsity to sell and I have one last problem to address; a stripped axle or nut. When I took the rear wheel off, I didn't have any trouble and as usual, I left the nuts on the axle and never took them off all the way (unnecessary). However, when I began to re-install it, the nuts would not tighten, in particular, the one on the right side. I tried to jury-rig it to work but to avail. So if it is a stripped out nut (it would be a RARE case of good luck for me) how would I know and how would get it off without damaging the axle?

The nut feels hard to turn and doesn't move inward or outward at all. The axle itself doesn't have any visible damage to it. Thanks for any and all help!

partsguy · Mar 29, 2014

A Dremel cut through a nut? I've had difficulty at times when customizing Hotwheels cars but I guess I can give it a try. The discs tend to break so I'll go real easy on it.

The Renaissance Man · Mar 29, 2014

Is it rusty?
PB Blaster.

RustySprockets · Mar 29, 2014

The proper tool for the job...if you have access to one

If it turns out the axle is damaged, it can be replaced with relative ease.

partsguy · Mar 29, 2014

The Renaissance Man said:
Is it rusty?
PB Blaster.

Not a spot of rust anywhere near it. I'm trying to finish up a Firestone 500 II now so I'll get to it.

dracothered · Mar 29, 2014

Is this the front or back wheel? What do you mean by hard to turn, can you turn it 180 degrees?

Loosenuts · Mar 29, 2014

I would use a cut off wheel to cut most of the way and then a nut splitter. Take you about 5 minutes. Buy new correct nuts.

B607 · Mar 30, 2014

Dremel with the narrow silicone carbide cutoff wheels. Gary

Araya51 · Mar 30, 2014

I would say replace the axel but that's just as much work than cutting the axel nut off.. Plus not knowing what side the axel nut is stuck you could just switch out the whole internal hub from another hub if you an extra one laying around..