I took the front wheel out on the PP to get the tyre changed. All came off easily (as they always do) Now refitting the wheel I'm having a problem getting the axle all the way through. Its goes in to a hard stop about 2cm from fully in. Its at the point where the threaded portion emerges from the LHS fork leg bottom. There are no calipers on at this point and the four axle pinch bolts are removed. With the wheel out the axle passes through the wheel fine. It also goes through the fork bottoms fine. With the wheel in place it stops. I've tried a bit of gentle persuasion but no dice. Is there a special knack to getting the axle back in? Bike is raised on an ABBA stand so no weight on the forks at all. I'm Puzzled.
Are you sure it's not fouling on the LHS wheel spacer, or if having past through that point, perhaps it's not aligned with the LHS fork leg to be able to pass through. Can you see the end of the axle from the LHS? Does it look concentric with the hole in the fork leg?
The axle has gone through the LHS wheel spacer OK. Its also gone into the LHS fork leg OK. It gets to the point it is just about to exit the LHS fork leg but stops just before the threaded part emerges. It looks lined up OK, but is definitely hitting something. I can only see one step in the axle which is the one that butts up to the RHS wheel spacer.
Since you say that the axle will go through both fork legs without the wheel, and also through the wheel then obviously the issue lies elsewhere. I can only summise there is some restriction on the RHS that is not allowing the axle to pass all the way through as opposed to an issue on the LHS, since it almost all the way through that fork leg and any obstruction, lip or burr would be obvious. I daren't ask the obvious so forgive me but I guess I have to...the wheel is definitely in the right way round?
Not sure how I did it but I had the wheel spacers in the wrong sides. Anything I take off the RHS of the bike goes on the right and vice versa. I must have spun the wheel round when I took it out and put the wheel spacers on the wrong side of the bike. Your diagram above sorted it thanks. The wheel goes back in really easily when you do it right! Rookie mistake. Thanks for the help all
Also there is a routine for correctly installing the front wheel research it and follow it as it'll get the forks aligned correctly
