Front Hub wobble

[AlexM]

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

[nfmisso]

Alex;

The first thing that comes to mind is that there is one or more balls missing.

[bobtravers]

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!

[trevgbb]

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?

[AlexM]

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

[nfmisso]

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.

[Becky]

I have that problem with the back wheel. Wobble. Would that work on the back ?

[bobtravers]

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...

[AlexM]

(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).

[JohnV]

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.

[Becky]

(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.