did you loosen the bolts on the bottom of both fork legs? if so, therein lies the problem. you only need to loosen the bolts on the right fork leg. the bolts on the left fork leg should be tight when you try to remove the axle from the right side. just tighten the bolts on the left fork leg and try again. HTH
Cheers - yes I did loosen all the bolts - am i guessing then the spacer should be held in place by the left lower fork leg bolts? Is the threaded part running into the spacer? Thanks
Yes, you got it. They space is held by the bolts in the left fork leg. Put the axle back in all the way, tighten the bolts on the left fork leg, then loosen the axle again. It should come out this time without moving that spacer.
Also, when you want to put the axle back in for good, screw the axle in, bounce the front end several times against the wall to align them, AND THEN tighten the bolts on the right fork leg.
will do that tonight - i did actually try doing the above first go but wimped out on getting the breaker bar out on the axle nut as i wasnt sure it was right!!