Help! Can't get rear tire off?

[packbuckbrew]

Followed these steps:

Removed brake caliper
Removed lower rear shock bolt
Jacked up spider so wheel is just touching the ground
Took belt off sprocket
Removed rear axel

Jacked up a little higher for clearance

Tire seems still attached, spins normally, will not come off

I know I am probably forgetting something stupid, please help.

What did I forget?

[gln2]

Lamonster did a video on that. its in the forum under how to.

[packbuckbrew]

Lamonster to the rescue!

Little tip for the idiots like me out there.

If you have a hitch, mine was installed by the dealer so I did not know this, there is a long bolt that goes through the axel that retains the hitch. This, my friends, is not the axel. Thanks Lamont, your website and willingness to help those of us less gifted makes this hobby far more enjoyable for those of us who are weekend warrior mechanic wannabes.

Another tip Lamonster gave me is to remove the nut on the left side for the link rod to the rear shock sensor. Otherwise, when the swing arm swings down it can bend the part holding the sensor like I did. OOPs.

[packbuckbrew]

I think the order of tasks to get the rear wheel off the 2010 RTS with a hitch is:

1. Remove the rear brake caliper, two nuts, see shop manual and you will need to disengage the parking break to do this.
2. Remove the lower nut on the shock sensor link rod on left side
3. Remove the lower shock bolt, I found this hard to do with the belt guard on so I removed it to get better access
4. Remove the retaining bolt (errrrrrr. not the axel) that holds the hitch on
5. Remove the hitch, this will take a few whacks with a rubber mallet to get off, you do not need to remove anything else other than the long bolt that goes through the axel to get the hitch off.
5. Jack the spyder up and remove tension from the belt and it will slip off easily
6. Remove the axel bolt.
7. Remove the rear tire.
8. Crack a cold beverage of your choice, a gatorade for me.

Lamont, let me know if I left any steps out, but I think this covers it. Now to get a new tire.

[Lamonster]

Think you got it Bro

[Rotaxer]

I think the order of tasks to get the rear wheel off the 2010 RTS with a hitch is:

1. Remove the rear brake caliper, two nuts, see shop manual and you will need to disengage the parking break to do this.
2. Remove the lower nut on the shock sensor link rod on left side
3. Remove the lower shock bolt, I found this hard to do with the belt guard on so I removed it to get better access
4. Remove the retaining bolt (errrrrrr. not the axel) that holds the hitch on
5. Remove the hitch, this will take a few whacks with a rubber mallet to get off, you do not need to remove anything else other than the long bolt that goes through the axel to get the hitch off.
5. Jack the spyder up and remove tension from the belt and it will slip off easily
6. Remove the axel bolt.
7. Remove the rear tire.
8. Crack a cold beverage of your choice, a gatorade for me.

Lamont, let me know if I left any steps out, but I think this covers it. Now to get a new tire.

Don't forget to remove the clips from the caliper bolts, never seen these before.

[Chupaca]

that was a trip from start to finish...love those..means the site works..!!