how to adjust front wheel
#2
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Moves side to side as in freely wit a hard limit to this movement that is not brake rotor related? Then the first I think of is a loose hub bearing. With this the hub shell, and the spokes/rim unit, will slop about the axle. So if the axle is securely in the drop outs then this is a common point of movement. Removing the wheel from the fork and holding the axle in hand then wiggling it can often produce the same movement, al be it to a lesser degree as the axle spans a smaller distance from bearing to bearing then the rim is from the bearings.
Other possibilities are a not fully tightened axle in fork, the QR is loose. Or a really worn our fork bushing. Extremely loose spokes. A headset that's really loose and the not seeing the real movement. Andy
Other possibilities are a not fully tightened axle in fork, the QR is loose. Or a really worn our fork bushing. Extremely loose spokes. A headset that's really loose and the not seeing the real movement. Andy
#3
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Here's a pretty good how-to on adjusting your cones, which is what it sounds like you might need to do. It's a pretty easy job. You might need to purchase a new wrench (a cone spanner), but I have also done it with standard tools.
https://bikemagic.com/how-to/mountai...our-cones.html
https://bikemagic.com/how-to/mountai...our-cones.html
Last edited by ecnewell; 05-10-17 at 10:09 PM.
#4
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here... another vid, too... and i turn the screwdriver to the wide side when popping seals out, but typically leave the seals in to avoid damaging them...
to TEST my work, i spin the wheel , then lay the axle on my fingers, but don't pinch-hold the axle ends... if the wheel spins ok, without the axle turning on my fingers, it's good... if it turns on my fingers, then i need to loosen it a touch... I check for play by tugging the axle to one side, then wiggle up and down... no play, no "spin" on my fingers?... put it back on the bike, and ride! ANY glitchy, notchy feeling? it's either still dirty, or you missed a pit in the cone, on a ball or three, hub race surfaces, or the axle is bent... spin the axle while watching the ends... ANY up and down motion indicates a bent axle..... SOME cheap chinese hubs actually have THREADS that were cut so badly/sloppily that the cone/jam nut interface allows the CONE to become off-centered! those same hubs come from the factory with next to no grease, and sometimes with the cone/jam nut torque so loose that the cones will back off! seen it way too many times..... sigh...
to TEST my work, i spin the wheel , then lay the axle on my fingers, but don't pinch-hold the axle ends... if the wheel spins ok, without the axle turning on my fingers, it's good... if it turns on my fingers, then i need to loosen it a touch... I check for play by tugging the axle to one side, then wiggle up and down... no play, no "spin" on my fingers?... put it back on the bike, and ride! ANY glitchy, notchy feeling? it's either still dirty, or you missed a pit in the cone, on a ball or three, hub race surfaces, or the axle is bent... spin the axle while watching the ends... ANY up and down motion indicates a bent axle..... SOME cheap chinese hubs actually have THREADS that were cut so badly/sloppily that the cone/jam nut interface allows the CONE to become off-centered! those same hubs come from the factory with next to no grease, and sometimes with the cone/jam nut torque so loose that the cones will back off! seen it way too many times..... sigh...
Last edited by maddog34; 05-11-17 at 12:02 AM.





