Haibike rear axle (not quick release) removal

[No Hurry Harry]

Hi
Haibike seem to have their own thru axle solution on the rear. It has a handle (not a qr lever) on it which I would assume you just undo to remove the rear axle. But it is on very tight at the moment and there is an allen socket in the middle of it. How do I remove it please - do I require an allen key or do I just man up a bit and rotate the whole axle using the handle and pushing really hard on it (feels as though it would need a tap with a rubber mallet to get it to move - or a pipe over the top of it to extend it to apply more torque)? Cheers.

 

[Nealh]

Thru axles are thread on the other end so one has to unwind with the handle/lever, they can be a bit awkward to withdraw and align. The final tightening is still a cam lock operational afaik.

 

[No Hurry Harry]

Thanks - yes I was worried there was extra locking but it just needed a good push. Some thru axles I have used on forks, are initially snugged up using the thread but then use clamps to get extra rigidity - not the case here though. Thanks again.