Removing my front wheel, stuck.

I am trying to do a tire change, and the rear is off. The front calipers are loose, the pich bolts are loose, and I'm stuck. How the heck do I get the spindle loosened? There is a mammoth allen head on the right side, and a post with a hole in it on the left. It looks like I could stick a screwdriver in the post hole & turn. I feel like a moron ( a sweaty, greasy moron that is staring at a new set of Pilot Powers) Help?

[Punkinwing]

Inset 17mm allen wrench into the axle and turn counter clockwise to extract the threaded axle.. (That is if the '00 is the same as the '03)

[Curmudgeon]

This thread is provides some ideas.

Caveat: I don't know the hex size on 2000 model S3s.

[ This message was edited by: Curmudgeon on 2006-08-01 17:22 ]

[Speed3]

Tighten the pinch bolts, then undo the big nut. Then loosen the pinch bolts and pull the axle out the left side. When reassembling tighten the axle, and with the pinch bolts loose, compress the forks to align the lower legs, then tighten the pinch bolts. Result!

Thanks guys. The Allen is a big ol boy, about 1/2" wide. I need to go get one.

Well, Lowes & Home Depot had a 10MM (woopdedoo). I guess my little project is on hold for now.

[tekmoe]

dam that sux man. i am about to do what you just did...probably within the next 2 weeks. ordering the front tire this week. need to get that 46mm for the rear axle nut and a hex socket for the front. i think the front is a 22mm....

[2bugeyez]

Your tool kit should have the correct allen wrench for the front wheel removal. My '01 does.

[02S3]

I bought a 17mm allen wrench at Sears.

[tekmoe]

just checked my tool kit under the seat. no hex socket for the front wheel. :hammer: