Modern Vespa

Another question. How do I get the hub off on a VBB front assembly? I have taken off the 22mm bearing cover, then removed the 22mm nut from the end of the axel. Now what? Press it out? Hit it?

Thanks all,


Charlie

Take a look at the following exploded diagram.

http://www.scooterhelp.com/manuals/VBB1T.parts/34.jpg

Notice part number 2021. There are 2 small screws that secure the brake drum to the hub. So first remove the wheel. Then remove the 2 small screws. Then the brake drum should come off with little difficulty. Good luck.

Thanks for the diagram, it's very useful. I still need to know how to get the shaft out. I have the drum off so I'm looking at the hub face with four studs on it. This is attached to the axle and has bearings at each end. Do I just press it out? From the non-stud end?

Part number 17436 on the diagram.

Thanks,

Charlie

On the side of the fork opposite the studs, is a large nut (part 2019). It's made of stamped steel, I think. Remove that. It's a dust cap of sorts. Beneath that is the nut the holds the axle in place (2443). I don't recall if it has a retaining cap or cotter pin. I suspect that it should have some method of keeping it from backing out. I hope this helps.

Thanks, dust cover and nut are removed. Speedo gear is also removed. Now what? Pull, push, tap, beat out the axle?

Thanks,

Charlie

If you have a dead blow hammer, I'd give a few taps with that. I also have a 5/8" brass rod that I use on occasion. Just don't make any steel-on-steel contact. You'll wind up ruining something. I don't recall my rusted Allstate's axle giving too much trouble.

I'm probably being overly cautious but I want to do this right so I don't damage anything.

Killo, have you removed a VBB axle by tapping it out? I cannot find anything online about how to do it and some sensible strength tapping hasn't yielded any movement.

Anybody else? Has anyone removed a VBB axle? There must be some info somewhere?

Thanks all,


Charlie

I'm also stuck in the middle of a total fork tear down... i have no idea how to get out the axle and axle bearings....

nothing online or in the books...

totally stumped

1973 sprint

sebastian

This diagram should be how most of them come apart. If you can't tell from the diagram how it works, take it to a shop and get it done professionally. Ask if you can watch while they do it so you know how it goes back together.

http://www.scooterhelp.com/manuals/VBB1T.parts/34.jpg

Check on scooterhelp.com for your particular model.

Remove the brake shoes. Two ends of the axle: Nut side, wheel side.

You need two short pieces of 2x4.

Place the hub, with the threads of the hub nut up, on two short pieces of 2x4. One on each side of the wheel-side surface, as close to the center as possible.

Put the hub nut back on, castellations down, threaded so it is even with the end of the shaft. Now you have a big surface. You are going to hit it with something.

I use a piece of wood to cushion the blow and I use a large ball peen hammer. You are going to drive the axle through the hub bearings.

When it is as far as the hub nut will allow it to go thru, remove the hub nut. It should not take much more to get the axle through.

You will need to build up your 2x4's to get it all the way through.

Jim

I'm not sure about all that, but for future searchers:

I figured out how to take the axle out of the front hub assembly.. is was fairly easy...

after removing the drum brake by taking of the castle nut and tapping off the drum with a nylon hammer, i exposed the cone shaped front of the axle... moving to the other side of the axle i remove the dust cover which revealed a 22mm bolt on the back of the axle... this can't be loosened as it moves with the axle...

that was my problem....

so what i did was i replaced the castle nut on the cone side of the axle with a piece of metal acting as a "pin" ... i took my two wrenches and viola! off came the back bolt...

the rest was easy... i just tapped the axle out....

hope this helps a fellow newbie....

sebastian

ps. has anyone ever installed a new indian copy fork on their sprint? if so i have questions...

Glad I found this thread. I was going crazy trying to figure out how to get my front brakes off and found out on a different thread that the axle has to come out. Spent hours banging the crap out of the thing trying to get it out. It's only been 6 years since the scooter was built so I'm surprised it was so difficult. I tried to be careful and not mess anything up, but I ended up screwing up a couple of the threads. Going to call around to some machine shops tomorrow to see if it can be fixed with a tap/die. Worst case scenario, I get a new one for $30. Anyway, just wanted to say that appreciate all of your tips!

Hi Charlie, I am facing with this issue now, like to ask how you did it before? Thank you.

I had to beat my axle out. It finally let loose flying across the shop. I had to use a sacrificial shaft so I would not beat up the threads on the axle. I used a big piece of Aluminum round stock. I also used a spare axle nut turned around. It ruined the axle nut, but it was worth it. You can also just buy another nut and use that. I had a person hold the handle bars when I knocked it out. Hope this helps. Scott

Hi Scott,

Yup. I beat the axle out today as you did and had the break shoes replaced. Thank you all for the help.

Steve

Hey Steve: glad It all worked out for you. As the ol saying goes, "get a bigger hammer" good luck!