Yesterday I took my front wheel off my new-to-me 2018 1260 to make changing the front mudguard easier. When I got to unscrew the axle nut it undid rather too easily as I was expecting over 60Nm of torque. Having got the nut off I discovered why - the nut was split down its length! It is made of aluminium, which is the OE spec, as I found out when I ordered a replacement. Why would Ducati specify aluminium for that nut when steel would seem to be the better choice, as that nut is liable to be over torqued, especially when having a new tyre fitted? How many times have you seen a tyre fitter using a torque wrench? I toyed with getting a titanium nut instead which would be more robust, but got to thinking there must be a reason Ducati went to the bother of choosing aluminium for it. Maybe its a way of protecting the threads on the axle as they'd know it is vulnerable to over-torquing and so could damage the threads too and be more expensive to replace and/or difficult to undo. Maybe over-torquing that nut would affect the side load on the wheel bearings? I don't see how it could but I don't know for sure. I'd be pleased to hear the reason if any of you know. In any event, it's a warning to check that nut after a front tyre change. I guess there is not much sideloading on the axle as the pinch bolts do most to grip the axle, so I don't know how dangerous a loose or split nut is, but again, there must be reason Ducati specify 63Nm torque to tighten it.
Not the first front spindle nut I’ve heard of being split and the most common cause is over tightening. 63Nm isn’t much. The whys and wherefores of the nut being aluminium has never concerned me, it is what it is and has been on every Ducati I’ve owned for 25 years. I only ever take loose wheels to the tyre fitter for new tyres, for which he is very grateful I might add and never had an issue when it’s gone into my dealer’s workshop. Andy
Had the same happen on my 2018 1260S a couple of years, only ever been removed and retightened by myself (always to the correct torque setting) or the dealer, I fit my own tyres so it's never even been near a tyre fitter, I actually heard it crack as I torqued it up , so maybe just fatigue. Handy that I had a spare bike in the garage, so I borrowed one off the Panigale until the new one arrived .
They're a tenner plus VAT, might be worth getting a spare just in case. I usually change tyres before a tour, like Kartman I always do my own, having that happen a few days before setting off could be a real PITA.
I tried to take the front wheel off my 1260 before I P/exc it to swap the Oro discs but could budge the front wheel nut, I mean real white knuckles and it wouldn’t move so god knows what the tyre fitter tightened it too last time I got them changed earlier this year
I posted about finding my nut split on my 2014 multi on the forum .. . Can't find it. . Should be on here somewhere.
Given the stock Ali nut split, I’d definitely go for the Titanium replacement. Some people do that anyway as a precaution. I’ve been thinking of getting a Titanium 55mm nut for the rear. Think I’ll get both now.
In my experience having now owned 3 Mutlis, I've never had this problem before, after self - removal and tightening, as well as allowing tyre fitters to do the same on my behalf. Rather unusual I would imagine, that said........
Another reason the nut cracks is the over tightening of the axle pinch bolts. On the older bikes, that even could oval the axle itself and make it a bitch to knock out through the bearings. I've seen one, maybe two of the later axle nuts split. I'd guess pretty much 1 in 3 have over tightened pinch bolts...
Very interesting Nelly. I was hoping you may come up with an insight. No problem with getting the axle out on my bike, so that's good. Any idea why Ducati spec aluminium for that nut? Is it considered to be sacrificial? That could have a bearing (no pun intended) on several of us buying a titanium replacement.
I don't really see any reason not to use aluminium if I'm honest. I wouldn't spend my money on Ti replacements other than for aesthetics or "blinf factor". There's plenty of material to gain purchase on the axle threads, the sleeve is pretty big and there's plenty of material in it. The older bikes, 996 era etc. used an alloy nut that was much less meaty and that's the same torque. I've got plenty of bike come thru the shop still using the originals..... Like many of the issues with the bikes, it's not a "design" flaw or problem as such, it's the organic matter on the end of the spanner
I did change the rear wheel nut on my Pani for a posh Ti one. The Draper (I think) impact socket I used on the OE nut would not fit securely on the Ti nut. I had to buy a stainless steel one from the same supplier as the Ti nut at some cost. I assume this is because the Ti nut has a more exact machined tolerance. I have owned many Ducatis over the years, from 748/996 up to Pani v4 and several in between. Never had an issue with front wheel nut. Always drop the wheels myself.
Or the Ti nut was simply not machined well enough? It's sometimes "perceived" that because it's Ti or some other fancy aftermarket product it's "better". It's not always the case.... A lot of the aftermarket is produced as cheaply as possible and "marketed" up to a premium value. I've had all sorts of issues with expensive aftermarket stuff not fitting properly or working correctly, sometimes dangerously so, over the years. There's a couple of very popular but well marketed, brands I won't even consider selling for that reason. If I wouldn't fit it on my own bike, I'll be damned if I'll sell it to someone just to make a few quid.
I have most definitely experienced high end brand carbon fibre that has been impossible to fit without trimming. This on my s1000rr. A well known and supposedly respected brand.
