Originally Posted by
erileykc
Not sure why a search of forums thread won't accept "front hub" as a term and wants to instead give me every separate instance of front and hub. My internets skillz are deficient. That aside, my 1981 Raleigh Tourist front hub bearings are worn rather badly yielding a noticeable wobble in the front wheel. Some googling around on the subject seems to be equally divided on disassembling the hub and replacing the bearings plus repacking them against simply replacing the whole thing with a modern alloy wheel. I'd rather keep the original wheel if possible but I'd like a working bike even more. What does the collected wisdom think on the matter?
( I am reposting this from having buried it in the " for love of english three speeds" thread in hopes of getting a response )
Have you repacked and adjusted the front hub? Check for the correct number of balls in the hub too, I routinely find hubs that are missing one or more balls.
I would try replacing the ball bearings unless the cones are noticeably worn. If that is the case look for replacement cones/hub. You can lace a modern hub onto the original rim, but then you have to do some minor fork modifications.
Aaron
