This is one of those learn-from-my-mistakes threads.
I ordered a cheap set of front axle sliders on e-bay (Link) which arrived today. At first glance, they look ok. The sliders feel like a cheaper plastic vs Delrin but for $18 I wasn't complaining. When I disassembled it I noticed that it came with a replacement axle bolt that had been drilled out to allow the retention rod to slide through it. Awesome right? Nope. Soon as I felt it in my hand I could tell that it was made of aluminum and a cheap grade at that--the kind that feels like plastic.
I had reservations about using it but figured since I had it I might as well try installing it. Bad idea. I threaded the bolt into the axle tube by hand and then got out the torque wrench. Before even getting anywhere near the 44 ft-lbs of torque the bolt snapped. Luckily, I was able to extract it by taking a pair of needle-nose pliers and gripping the busted piece from the inside while turning it.
Now, I don't expect cheap Chinese products to be of great quality but I am really surprised that they would provide such a cheap-a$$ aluminum axle bolt. IMO it would be very dangerous to use this on a motorcycle--if you could get it on in the first place. I don't have any issues with the rest of the product and may still use it if I can find a properly drilled steel bolt.
I ordered a cheap set of front axle sliders on e-bay (Link) which arrived today. At first glance, they look ok. The sliders feel like a cheaper plastic vs Delrin but for $18 I wasn't complaining. When I disassembled it I noticed that it came with a replacement axle bolt that had been drilled out to allow the retention rod to slide through it. Awesome right? Nope. Soon as I felt it in my hand I could tell that it was made of aluminum and a cheap grade at that--the kind that feels like plastic.
I had reservations about using it but figured since I had it I might as well try installing it. Bad idea. I threaded the bolt into the axle tube by hand and then got out the torque wrench. Before even getting anywhere near the 44 ft-lbs of torque the bolt snapped. Luckily, I was able to extract it by taking a pair of needle-nose pliers and gripping the busted piece from the inside while turning it.
Now, I don't expect cheap Chinese products to be of great quality but I am really surprised that they would provide such a cheap-a$$ aluminum axle bolt. IMO it would be very dangerous to use this on a motorcycle--if you could get it on in the first place. I don't have any issues with the rest of the product and may still use it if I can find a properly drilled steel bolt.