Play in rear wheel

[Keith Willoughb]

I noticed a clunking as I rode yesterday. I finally found
out it was due to the rear wheel - there's a few mm of play
in it. Before I take it all apart - is this likely to be a
hub problem, or an axle problem? And am I likely to be able
to fix it (replacing the bearings?) or is it likely to need
a new wheel?

--
Keith Willoughby http://flat222.org/keith/ This is the year

[Ianb]

"Keith Willoughby" <keith@flat222.org> wrote in message
news:87ekp5yu6m.fsf@flat222.dyndns.org...
> I noticed a clunking as I rode yesterday. I finally found
out it was due
> to the rear wheel - there's a few mm of play in it. Before
I take it all
> apart - is this likely to be a hub problem, or an axle
problem? And am I
> likely to be able to fix it (replacing the bearings?) or
is it likely to
> need a new wheel?
>
> --
before you get too involved in tweaking bearings etc, is
this a Quick Release wheel? I had a bit too much movement in
a wheel and found that tightening the QR slightly made
enough difference (but do not overtighten of course)

IanB

[Simon Mason]

"Keith Willoughby" <keith@flat222.org> wrote in message
news:87ekp5yu6m.fsf@flat222.dyndns.org...
> I noticed a clunking as I rode yesterday. I finally found
> out it was due to the rear wheel - there's a few mm of
> play in it. Before I take it all apart - is this likely to
> be a hub problem, or an axle problem? And am I likely to
> be able to fix it (replacing the bearings?) or is it
> likely to need a new wheel?
>
> --
> Keith Willoughby http://flat222.org/keith/ This is
> the year

My problem was the hub, so I took it to local LBS
specialist who fixed it for a few quid. Done 400 miles
since, no problem.

--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net (http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/)

[Pete Biggs]

Keith Willoughby wrote:
> I noticed a clunking as I rode yesterday. I finally found
> out it was due to the rear wheel - there's a few mm of
> play in it. Before I take it all apart - is this likely to
> be a hub problem, or an axle problem? And am I likely to
> be able to fix it (replacing the bearings?) or is it
> likely to need a new wheel?

It's normal for wheels to *flex* a bit at the *rims* when
pressed hard so assuming the problem really is with the
hub...........

If you have cup and cone type bearings, which most hubs
have, you'll be able to adjust the cones to get rid of any
play. Most cartridge hubs can't be adjusted in this way.

See the instructions here: url:http://www.parktool.com/repa-
ir_help/FAQindex.shtml#wheel

and here: url:http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cone-
adjustment.html .....Note the great tip about using two like-
spanners at the same time, a trick Park miss. And don't
forget the quick release skewer has an imporant side-effect
on the bearings.

~PB

[Steph Peters]

Keith Willoughby <keith@flat222.org> of Anarchists for Big Government wrote:

>I noticed a clunking as I rode yesterday. I finally found
>out it was due to the rear wheel - there's a few mm of play
>in it. Before I take it all apart - is this likely to be a
>hub problem, or an axle problem? And am I likely to be able
>to fix it (replacing the bearings?) or is it likely to need
>a new wheel?

Those of us belonging to the category of
fatbirdorbastardonbike are hard on wheels. The stresses we
put on wheels every day eventually weakens them, so they are
more subject to accident damage. Undo the far end of your
quick release skewer, take it off and remove the entire
thing from the wheel. Is it still straight or is it bent? If
bent, remove the axle too to examine its state. I manage to
break an axle every few years. I'm off to the bike shop this
afternoon to get a replacement for the latest casualty.

Steph fatbirdonabike

[Tim Hall]

On Fri, 28 May 2004 11:03:59 +0100, "IanB"
<ianzzbradszzzhawzzz@whsmzithnet.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Keith Willoughby" <keith@flat222.org> wrote in message
>news:87ekp5yu6m.fsf@flat222.dyndns.org...
>> I noticed a clunking as I rode yesterday. I finally found
>out it was due
>> to the rear wheel - there's a few mm of play in it.
>> Before
>I take it all
>> apart - is this likely to be a hub problem, or an axle
>problem? And am I
>> likely to be able to fix it (replacing the bearings?) or
>is it likely to
>> need a new wheel?
>>
>> --
>before you get too involved in tweaking bearings etc, is
>this a Quick Release wheel? I had a bit too much movement
>in a wheel and found that tightening the QR slightly made
>enough difference (but do not overtighten of course)
>

And if not, it's very likely it's just the cup and cone
bearings needing adjustment. Quite simple with the right
tools (open ended spanner and cone spanner). Sheldon has an
article on it.

<http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cone-adjustment.html> (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cone-adjustment.html)

Tim

[Keith Willoughb]

Tim Hall wrote:

> On Fri, 28 May 2004 11:03:59 +0100, "IanB"
> <ianzzbradszzzhawzzz@whsmzithnet.co.uk> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Keith Willoughby" <keith@flat222.org> wrote in message
>>news:87ekp5yu6m.fsf@flat222.dyndns.org...
>>> I noticed a clunking as I rode yesterday. I
>>> finally found
>>out it was due
>>> to the rear wheel - there's a few mm of play in it.
>>> Before
>>I take it all
>>> apart - is this likely to be a hub problem, or an axle
>>problem? And am I
>>> likely to be able to fix it (replacing the bearings?) or
>>is it likely to
>>> need a new wheel?
>>>
>>> --
>>before you get too involved in tweaking bearings etc, is
>>this a Quick Release wheel? I had a bit too much movement
>>in a wheel and found that tightening the QR slightly made
>>enough difference (but do not overtighten of course)

I tried tightening the QR a little, but it didn't help.

> And if not, it's very likely it's just the cup and cone
> bearings needing adjustment. Quite simple with the right
> tools (open ended spanner and cone spanner). Sheldon has
> an article on it.
>
> <http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cone-adjustment.html> (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cone-adjustment.html)

Cheers all!

I don't own the tools needed, so I think I'll take it
to my LBS.

--
Keith Willoughby http://flat222.org/keith/ "New songs and
true songs and songs to bring you"