erbfarm

When the rear wheel on my old Specialized crossroads sport is properly positioned in the dropouts and properly tightened in place, I can move it back and forth about 1/8". what causes this? and how do I fix it? The wheel doesn't have much mileage on it and it's still true and all the spacers are still there, I haven't touched anything on it. I did replace the old 7 spd freewheel w/ a 7 spd freewheel from Nashbar but the spacing on the new freewheel should be the same as on the old one, right? I mean it should be the same thickenss and not take up less room than the original freewheel, right? thanks!

dabac

Sounds like you have some play in your bearings. If you don't want to spring for the extra thin cone wrenches , take it to a lbs and have the adjust the bearings for you.

erbfarm

I've got some cone wrenches, is it fairly easy to adjust the bearings? I've got a few repair manuals lying around

norwood

Yes. Now is a good time to learn.

davidad

When properly adjusted there is a little play in the bearings. It will go away when you close the quick release. The hollow axle will compress .1 to .2 mm taking up the slack.

Panthers007

A properly adjusted hub will, once mounted and the QR engaged, have no side-to-side play. It should also not have any tightness - the wheel should spin freely. This sort of adjustment takes patience and time to find the "sweet-spot." It's a very basic mechanical skill to have, and it gets easier each time you do it.

Tally Ho!

operator

Assuming it's actually a QR and not a solid axle.

Learn how to do bother types here: https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=105

Panthers007

And this nugget for good measure:

https://bicycletutor.com/overhaul-wheel-bearings/

This link is to a video. Adjust your speakers accordingly.

erbfarm

this is the tut I followed and it seems to have worked out ok, I'm not detecting the wobble anymore, thanks guys