Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the October Giveaway to Win the Qiolor TIGER Retro Electric Bike


Front Hub wobble
#1
Just regreased front hubs on old bike I'm repairing. Old, but not much use. tightened hubs but can't get wobble out of front wheel. Think the hubs are even too tight now, but has about 2-3mm play at full wheel circumference. too much I think. Is this axle wear? I think they are original bearings and bearings and races looked in fine condition. Any suggestions on why play persists.
Alex
  Reply
#2
Alex;

The first thing that comes to mind is that there is one or more balls missing.
Nigel
  Reply
#3
Change ball bearing for new ones, they are cheap... Check cones to see if they are pitted or crack, and races too...

Should have 10 ball per side in the front hub if it's a Shimano one...

Good luck!
  Reply
#4
How old is old? some older bikes did not have locknuts on the cones and had to be tightened up properly on fitting to forks.
watch the hub as you move the wheel, does the movement also happen at the hub? if so, there is something wrong with your hub set-up.
or, Is the wheel buckled, any spokes missing or very loose?
  Reply
#5
Dear all,

thanks for the advice. I've sorted the problem .... For future reference, I put the bearing cages back to front. ie balls facing out rather than facing each other. All good now, but worth learning the result of a simple bit of inattentiveness.
regards
Alex
  Reply
#6
Alex;

That will do it too.....sorry I did not think of that, I do not use cages, and increase the ball count for a stiffer and stronger system.

See: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/bearings.html

On my current project - all the retainers (cages) are no longer in the wheels, headset, bottom bracket.
Nigel
  Reply
#7
I have that problem with the back wheel. Wobble. Would that work on the back ?
  Reply
#8
Should be, as the design of the rear hub is pretty musch the same as the front hub, except for bigger cups, cones and ball bearings...
  Reply
#9
(05-02-2011, 08:41 PM)Becky Wrote:  I have that problem with the back wheel. Wobble. Would that work on the back ?

Becky, if someone has removed the bearing cages and replaced them the wrong way around, as i did, then yes it could be the cause.
In almost all cases, balls in bearing cages should be facing inwards towards each other.
However, you should check more obvious things first ie:
a) Perhaps the cones are loose and just need tightening up. See http://bikeride.com/overhaul-wheel-bearings/
b) Worn bearing or races, or missing ball bearings (Some bikes don't have cages and just use loose individual ball bearings).
  Reply
#10
With all the focus on the bearings and hubs, lets not forget the wheel. Wobble could also mean a wheel that needs to be trued.
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe...Ride Hard...Ride Daily
  Reply
#11
(05-03-2011, 07:38 AM)AlexM Wrote:  
(05-02-2011, 08:41 PM)Becky Wrote:  I have that problem with the back wheel. Wobble. Would that work on the back ?

Becky, if someone has removed the bearing cages and replaced them the wrong way around, as i did, then yes it could be the cause.
In almost all cases, balls in bearing cages should be facing inwards towards each other.
However, you should check more obvious things first ie:
a) Perhaps the cones are loose and just need tightening up. See http://bikeride.com/overhaul-wheel-bearings/
b) Worn bearing or races, or missing ball bearings (Some bikes don't have cages and just use loose individual ball bearings).

Thanks, I will look into it.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
3,445
12-21-2019, 09:55 PM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
34,556
08-11-2014, 04:57 AM
Last Post: daniel1988
 
8,817
05-20-2014, 02:49 PM
Last Post: cny-man
 
8,288
10-26-2013, 08:22 AM
Last Post: 1FJEF
 
20,613
09-04-2013, 10:27 PM
Last Post: jo3yp
 
7,957
05-24-2013, 03:17 PM
Last Post: nfmisso
 
36,363
04-09-2012, 09:38 AM
Last Post: Ratchet

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Schwinn trike NOISE
Today 05:20 PM
Schwinn meridian rear drive axle
Today 04:36 PM
What was your first bicycle?
Yesterday 04:11 PM
Great UK Cycle Camping Map, For E-Bikes,...
Yesterday 05:38 AM
Charging at campground
Yesterday 05:33 AM
Failure to stop at stop sign means $500 ...
Yesterday 05:27 AM
Bicycle enthusiast located in California
Yesterday 04:15 AM
Moving in Style: Beyond Regular Transpor...
Yesterday 01:29 AM
Do you plan or random ride your MTB ride...
11-02-2024 11:43 AM
Cycling is Anti-Aging, But There's a Cat...
11-02-2024 11:36 AM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Jesper
18 posts
no avatar 2. enkei
18 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
13 posts
no avatar 4. Flowrider
12 posts
no avatar 5. Talha
10 posts