My right balance wheel wobbles and makes a metal grinding sound…
08-23-21, 09:42 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
My right balance wheel wobbles and makes a metal grinding sound…
How do I make it stop? At first I tried tightening the cone against the lock nut (like I did a couple years ago when installing a thru axle, cones and loose bearings on my adult trike) and then realized only one side had a cone. I thought it was missing… so the company sent me a new wheel. I installed it Saturday Night, and rode 46 miles Sunday and Monday. Today it became loose and making the same metal grinding noise (I noticed it sooner because my ears were just cleaned so I can hear better). I examined both balance wheels still mounted + the original replaced wheel. They appear to have one of those cages for bearings, but only on one side. I tightened the original right balance wheel a week ago, but it only stayed tight for a couple miles. Then the company sent me a replacement wheel that only rolled smooth ~30 miles. How do I tighten the right balance wheel so it stays tight like the left balance wheel?
On my trike, I tightened the cone on both sides to the hub (after I greased it and inserted loose bearings) and then held the cones with a cone wrench while tightening the lock nut with an open end wrench. This setup only has a cone on one side with cage bearings, and just a lock nut on the other side. What technique is used to tighten so the wheel stops wobbling on the axle and making a metal grinding noise?
Side with cone
Side without cone
Electra @ Surf City Shore on way home...
Kit package
Stabilizer rear view
On my trike, I tightened the cone on both sides to the hub (after I greased it and inserted loose bearings) and then held the cones with a cone wrench while tightening the lock nut with an open end wrench. This setup only has a cone on one side with cage bearings, and just a lock nut on the other side. What technique is used to tighten so the wheel stops wobbling on the axle and making a metal grinding noise?
Side with cone
Side without cone
Electra @ Surf City Shore on way home...
Kit package
Stabilizer rear view
08-23-21, 10:04 PM
#2
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The cone should have a lock nut that prevents it from loosening or tightening. The idea is, tighten the cone to the tension that prevents wobble but doesn't bind or grind, and then tighten the lock nut against it. If you don't have one, take the wheel to a bike shop and see if they have one that fits.
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08-24-21, 02:07 AM
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Your stabilizer wheels appear to almost equal to a typical front wheel that would be used on a 16' bicycle or possibly a jogging stroller other then your wheel is only 20 spokes,
Looking at the pictures of the sides of your wheel (on the yellow box) it looks like I can see locknuts on both sides.
One side (2nd picture) it looks like the cone dust cover or plate is missing (locknut looks like it is set deeper) which would explain your metal grinding sound.
You should easily be able to compare it to the other wheel.
Also look at 1st picture below to see the assembly, you may have non-caged bearings instead of loose bearings but that shouldn't matter.
2nd picture is an assembled axle less the hub and bearings.
Last picture is an assembled 16" wheel from a child's bike, you can see the resemblance to your stabilizer wheel.
Looking at the pictures of the sides of your wheel (on the yellow box) it looks like I can see locknuts on both sides.
One side (2nd picture) it looks like the cone dust cover or plate is missing (locknut looks like it is set deeper) which would explain your metal grinding sound.
You should easily be able to compare it to the other wheel.
Also look at 1st picture below to see the assembly, you may have non-caged bearings instead of loose bearings but that shouldn't matter.
2nd picture is an assembled axle less the hub and bearings.
Last picture is an assembled 16" wheel from a child's bike, you can see the resemblance to your stabilizer wheel.
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Last edited by JoeTBM; 08-24-21 at 02:40 AM. Reason: to add additional information and clarity
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08-24-21, 07:34 AM
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Being that you are at the beach, is sand getting blown up into the bearings and you are simply hearing the sand getting pulverized by the bearings? Eventually that will wear them out sooner, but your mucking around with them might be making that happen faster.
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08-24-21, 10:15 AM
#5
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The cone should have a lock nut that prevents it from loosening or tightening. The idea is, tighten the cone to the tension that prevents wobble but doesn't bind or grind, and then tighten the lock nut against it. If you don't have one, take the wheel to a bike shop and see if they have one that fits.
Your stabilizer wheels appear to almost equal to a typical front wheel that would be used on a 16' bicycle or possibly a jogging stroller other then your wheel is only 20 spokes,
Good to keep in mind. The left wheel makes a mild sound... might be sand.
Looking at the pictures of the sides of your wheel (on the yellow box) it looks like I can see locknuts on both sides.
One side (2nd picture) it looks like the cone dust cover or plate is missing (locknut looks like it is set deeper) which would explain your metal grinding sound.
You should easily be able to compare it to the other wheel.
Also look at 1st picture below to see the assembly, you may have non-caged bearings instead of loose bearings but that shouldn't matter.
2nd picture is an assembled axle less the hub and bearings.
Last picture is an assembled 16" wheel from a child's bike, you can see the resemblance to your stabilizer wheel.
Looking at the pictures of the sides of your wheel (on the yellow box) it looks like I can see locknuts on both sides.
One side (2nd picture) it looks like the cone dust cover or plate is missing (locknut looks like it is set deeper) which would explain your metal grinding sound.
You should easily be able to compare it to the other wheel.
Also look at 1st picture below to see the assembly, you may have non-caged bearings instead of loose bearings but that shouldn't matter.
2nd picture is an assembled axle less the hub and bearings.
Last picture is an assembled 16" wheel from a child's bike, you can see the resemblance to your stabilizer wheel.
Thanks for the helpful pictures! I was wondering why the original wheel and replacement wheel each only had one cone... I'll attempt using both for a complete assembly...
Last edited by beach_cycle; 08-24-21 at 10:28 AM.
