hub/axle/fork problem
 

My 2003 jamis ventura's front ritchey hub is having some issues. When checking by hand, the axle feels perfect. Turns smoothly, no play (I know a qr axle should have a bit of play so the qr tightens it down perfectly, but this didnt seem to make sense on this application). when I installed the wheel into the fork dropouts, everything seemed fine. It spun freely, no play. but if I either ride the bike or wiggle the wheel back and forth, play develops quickly. there is also a fairly loud click present when you move the wheel back and forth in its range of axle play.

If I tighten the qr more, the play is gone but the bearings pop (axle too tight) when riding, but still spins smoothly like normal. If i take the wheel off and remount it with correct qr pressure, there is no play until I again wiggle the wheel or ride it.

Is this a bearing problem? I do have a carbon fork. could the fork ends possibly be loose or something? Could this possibly be a quick release issue?

Thanks in advance

Sounds like you need to adjust the bearing cones. I'm not familiar with your particular hub so I can't tell you how to do that. You should be able to find instructions for your hubs on the net or in some publication. Have you tried Ritchey website? The quick release is not used to adjust the bearings. Overtightening (or undertightening) the QR is not a good thing to do.

Al

I just tried adjusting the bearing cones with no luck. I set them like i would any other bearing cone, and I either get it too loose and have play or too tight (?) and have bearing popping. Im thinking I might need to repack the bearings and check for damage.

Since the wheel seems to be OK on it's own, I'd be for checking the fork.

I've got a gauge for checking fork alignment. A work-around would be to fasten a bolt solidly onto each fork leg where the axle goes. The two bolts should exactly align.

A carbon fork isnt going to go out of alignment unless its damaged. If you suspect this to be the case, STOP RIDING it. Check droput alignment per RG suggestion then visually inspect the fork for cracks and tap it listening for unusual sounds. See if one of the alloy dropouts have come unbonded from the carbon legs. Perhaps try the wheel in a different fork. That may give clues in isolating if its a wheel or fork issue.

problem fixed. turns out the qr was at fault. It had such a small distance it was actually clamping at that it was impossible to get the tension set right. It's a very odd qr. clamping it moves the ends of the qr much more than normal. I switched in a shimano and its all good.