Classic & Vintage - Old Phil hub has play, any ideas?

I clamped the quick release tight as can be but it didn't do any good. Is it possible that the bearings are worn to the point of causing play?

I'm hoping I can resolve the issue because its driving me crazy not being able to ride my first set of Phil hubs.

Send them to Phil....They will service them for a nominal fee. They'll be like new!

Send them to Phil....They will service them for a nominal fee. They'll be like new!

The "nominal" fee is $40.

I don't think sending them to Phil is a good idea. I live close to Phil but the shipping would still be expensive. 40$ per wheel is pricey. I think it would be better to have a bike shop do it. I can't imagine it costing more than 40$ to do both wheels.

I was just wondering if there was anything else that could be done to remove play.

Phils use sealed ball bearings and the only repair is to replace the bearings. Roger

So you are saying my axle play is the result of old worn bearings? I think this is the case. My guess is that a bike shop should be able to service all for bearings for about 40$. If they are nice they won't charge an arm and a leg for labor.

If it's just a bit of "shake" like a loose ball hub that's just a hair out of adjustment, it's actually quite normal for an older Phil.

If it spins well and is smooth it should be fine. I've had lots of old Phil's that had just a bit of play in them.

If it's gritty and very loose, it's time to press in some new bearings.

Could be a broken axle.

I needed an old Phil hub re-spaced from 120mm to 126mm. Since the hub was not laced it was a minor shipping charge. But in talking to the tech-rep there in Phil's shop, I cannot imagine that they would not let you drop off your wheel for this service since you live nearby. I was very impressed by their friendliness. Give them a call today.

I think it would be better to have a bike shop do it.
I can't imagine it costing more than 40$ to do both wheels.

You mean cheaper.

$5 a bearing+labor - I can imagine it costing more than $40 for both.

it will cost to have Phil do it cause they will use their high-grade and high-cost bearings and they have overhead...but it'll be done to Phil's specs. You can always buy the bearings from a supply house (and cheap Chinese bearings will be...cheap) and do it yourself with a bench vise and some deep sockets. You might not have those things at hand, and if you haven't done it before there's always a risk of mucking up the hub beyond repair. I've gone both ways: I trust my own skills to press in/out bearings, and Phil offers very friendly service to drop-ins but is not cheap.

The way Phil hubs are designed and assembled will allow for some play especially at the rim, bearing wear can also happen, as Phil has been around over 35 years, how old are the hubs?

Some play is nominal, I would measure it, fire off an email to Phil, and get their advice, I might be wrong but I think they only accept unbuilt / no freewheel hubs for rebuild. A walk in situation might be different, but the typical arbor press does not have the throat capacity for a whole wheel.

Double check, but Phil did want a return authorization number to be placed with the goods for tracking. You get that prior to sending them in.