I actually never had the plastic dust guard removed from the pumpkin, but by the same token, I may have bumped the dust guard crooked whilst finagling the wheel onto the pumpkin or knocked it ajar while scrubbing the wheel with a cleaning brush. If the dust guard is excessively deformed than it's a $19.00 replacement or use a scalpel for less. A month ago when I had the rear wheel off, I noticed the circumference of the 'aluminum caldera' for lack of a better term of the hub had developed a roughened surface. Specifically where the dust guard overlaps the wheel. Just sumpthing that you take note wasn't there previously. Moreso with the fraying on the dust guard's edge becuz it wasn't there just last month. Been wondering if I should pay more attention to the memo. Anyways, I rubbed some Belray grease around the wheel's mating lip (a month ago) to no avail if the two problems are related at all.
Perhaps the fraying on the dust guard is an indication that the pumpkin's collar isn't in straight as it should be and the off kilter causes the dust guard to rub against the spinning wheel where it shouldn't. Pic below for newer forum members who may be following the discussion.
im think its from prying it apart over the years . screwdriver pry marks ??
You mean at the rectangular access opening at the bottom of the dust guard. Myself, I haven't used a screwdriver to separate the pumpkin from the wheel hub. The fraying on the dust guard is recent. It wasn't there last month when I had the rear wheel off.
[To separate the pumpkin from the wheel, I've followed the recommended method of partially pulling out the rear axle shaft from the wheel's right-side to clear and gain enough space to slip out the rear brake caliper bracket and spacer on the wheel's left side .... then push the axle shaft back into the left swingarm hole and thread the axle nut back on some. With extra wiggle room and the axle still holding the wheel aligned to the pumpkin, it's easier and a more civilized way to push the rear wheel supported by the axle shaft to the left-side of the bike to disengage it from the pumpkin without the wheel fighting gravity. True, in rare cases, you still might need to use a screwdriver at this stage, but there was a hazard with using a screwdriver that if you stuck it in too far the tip of the screwdriver may press the oil seal below the pumpkin's surface instead of properly seated flush with the surface of the pumpkin not any deeper. I recall this compromises the oil seal.]
