Wheel bearing?
Discussion
My front wheel started moving a bit side to side earlier on. I've had a quick look and if I tighten the two bolts either side on the wheel the movement stops but if I do them too tight it doesn't spin? But if I leave them finger tight it'll just work its way loose again... How do I fix this?
You can do if you like. It's probably full of loose bearings though so be careful. Nothing wrong in taking them all out, cleaning and greasing them and putting it back together.
There should be two bolts. A thin inner one and a lock ring. Hard to see from the photo is that is what you have got.
There should be two bolts. A thin inner one and a lock ring. Hard to see from the photo is that is what you have got.
You will need a pair of cone spanners to tighten these properly. Behind that front nut that you can see there is the cone that sits against the ball bearings. The cone has two flats on it so you can hold it still whilst you tighten the front nut against it (to lock it in place). A cone spanner are thin and will slide into the gap behind the front nut.
On your hub the bearings inside are loose. If you undo the bolts and remove the axle, the bearings are likely to fall out, so I wouldn't recommend this. To be honest just take it down to you local bike shop. They will probably tighten them for a fiver, or replace the bearings and regrease the hub for £10-£15. Probably worth doing before winter anyway.
On your hub the bearings inside are loose. If you undo the bolts and remove the axle, the bearings are likely to fall out, so I wouldn't recommend this. To be honest just take it down to you local bike shop. They will probably tighten them for a fiver, or replace the bearings and regrease the hub for £10-£15. Probably worth doing before winter anyway.
This:
http://sheldonbrown.com/cone-adjustment.html
might help. Or this:
http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/tech/fix/?id=howfix...
Cone spanners are not too costly, and provided you haven't ground down the bearings, or pitted the cone nut, all you'll need to get the job done will be a tube of (bike-specific) grease from your LBS. That, and a little patience to get the cones adjusted right on re-assembly. The cones and the ball bearings are easily, and cheaply replaced - the only show stopper is if the bearing cup (where the balls sit, inside the hub) is damaged. Then, you'll probably need a new hub/wheel. If you do decide to regrease the hub bearings, make sure to do the disassembly somewhere where you won't loose the ball bearings. They are the very devil to find if they escape.
Oh, and this:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=16...
has a good image of the comparison between a nice clean cone and bearings, and one that is pitted/worn and in need of replacement.
Hope I've been of some help. Bikes. Not as complicated as you think!
http://sheldonbrown.com/cone-adjustment.html
might help. Or this:
http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/tech/fix/?id=howfix...
Cone spanners are not too costly, and provided you haven't ground down the bearings, or pitted the cone nut, all you'll need to get the job done will be a tube of (bike-specific) grease from your LBS. That, and a little patience to get the cones adjusted right on re-assembly. The cones and the ball bearings are easily, and cheaply replaced - the only show stopper is if the bearing cup (where the balls sit, inside the hub) is damaged. Then, you'll probably need a new hub/wheel. If you do decide to regrease the hub bearings, make sure to do the disassembly somewhere where you won't loose the ball bearings. They are the very devil to find if they escape.
Oh, and this:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=16...
has a good image of the comparison between a nice clean cone and bearings, and one that is pitted/worn and in need of replacement.
Hope I've been of some help. Bikes. Not as complicated as you think!
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