DSS issue

[lazylightnin717]

Ok here is the problem.

Got home from a ride last weekend and noticed that the cap on the very end of my swingarm on the right side is missing. Took a closer look a noticed that the bolt seems to have sheared off. Curses ensued.

Called the local shop and they didn't know how to diagnose the problem without taking a look at it but said that I definitely shouldn't be riding it. I'm unsure of the actual function of the cap or bolt that snapped off but I have a hunch that it has to do with adjusting the rear axle. Am I correct?

I have an appointment scheduled to get my 12k service done but the shop seems a little hesitant to deal with this issue. Any ideas? And any other important input would be greatly appreciated. I hate to see my bike in this condition!

[ducpainter]

The plate and bolt only serve to adjust the chain.

If the axle is tight no immediate problem exists.

The adjuster and plate need replacing is all.

If a shop is uncomfortable with that, find another shop.

[scott_araujo]

I agree with DP, no real danger so long as the axle is tight.  If it were the chain side I wouldn't ride it hard.  Even with the axle tight it can sometimes slip forward.  The non-chain side is under a lot less stress.

Scott

[erkishhorde]

Sounds like the nut on the end cap wasn't tightened again after the axle was tightened and the plate was flapping around and got broken off. Who was the last one to tinker with your rear axle? You or the shop? If it was the same shop that's hesitant to look at it, I wouldn't be taking it back there again unless you're planning on getting them to fix what they screwed up. Even then...

[avizpls]

as long as the axle is tight, you should be OK until you can fix it. Dont loosen the axel, because you wont be able to adjust it correctly without that plate. Hopefully the adjuster (the piece tat rests inside the swingarm and the axle goes thru) is OK, then only the bolt and plate need replaced.


When you DO adjust this, you loosen the bolts, make your adjustment, tighten the axle, then TIGHTEN THE ADJUSTER BOLTS. Nothing changes with the axle, the adjustment has all ready been made, but this keeps them from loosening and getting lost.

[erkishhorde]

When you DO adjust this, you loosen the bolts, make your adjustment, tighten the axle, then TIGHTEN THE ADJUSTER BOLTS. Nothing changes with the axle, the adjustment has all ready been made, but this keeps them from loosening and getting lost.

Or shearing off. Or having the adjuster plate find it's way into your sprocket/ chain.

[avizpls]

Exactly true.

on a related note:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=38533.0;topicseen

[erkishhorde]

Oh, I dunno if it's the case for all model year monsters, but on my m900 the left and right end cap are not interchangeable. I know, I mixed them up somehow and the chain ground off part of it. 

[Speeddog]

The caps for the steel swingarms appear to be interchangeable, at least on the ones in my shop.

Caps for aluminum swingers are not interchangeable.

Caps for steel and aluminum are different.

[lazylightnin717]

I'm on an '02 S4 and unsure at the moment whether it is steel or aluminum. I can check when I get home. I suppose I can check if the one cap that I still have fits the other side. Anyone know where I can get some nice billet caps or even cheap used ones?

[Speeddog]

'02 S4 came with an aluminum swingarm, and the caps are definitely not interchangeable.

[lazylightnin717]

The swingarm is definitely aluminum. I also wanted to check and see for myself if the one cap that I do have would fit the other side. This is what I found

1. The cap seemed to fit. Since I couldn't bolt it on, I mocked it up and it fit flush on all sides and looked like the bolt would have lined up.

2. The bolt is a bit ridiculous. Looks like it's an M8 1.25 with threads about 4.5 inches in length. It is also the equivalent of a standard grade 8 which is going to make it a pregnant dog to drill into and extract. Also makes it hard to find.

3. Took a closer look at the bolt that broke and it appears to still be threaded through the aduster which makes me feel a little better about riding it in this condition.

I guess that I am curious what would have caused the bolt to snap in the first place. I understand that hardened bolts are frickin' tough. We hang multi-million dollar stage equipment at work with complete faith in hardened bolts. Hmmmmmmm?

[ducpainter]

Ducati part 779.1.037.1A

That bolt shouldn't need to be drilled out.

Download the pdf parts manual and you'll see how it works.

BTW the end caps are listed as different items left and right.

[erkishhorde]

IIRC the reason why the caps aren't interchangeable isn't because it doesn't fit. It will fit just fine on the wrong side. The problem is that the cap has a slight lip that sticks out pass the swing arm. On the chain side, this hangs out enough to catch the chain and throw sparks/ grind the cap.

[Speeddog]

Clarification:

Left and Right caps will interchange as far as fit to the swingarm goes.

Right hand cap will not clear the sprocket bolts when installed on the left side.

The bolt will be impossible to find in the usual hardware stores.
It's drilled and tapped for a small 'safety' bolt on the inside end.

No need to drill it out, at least from the standpoint of the head being broken off.
It may be frozen in the threads of the axle block, but likely not.

That bolt being threaded into the axle block provides no security whatsoever if it's head and the cap are gone.