my front wheel moves side to side when i spin it.
I checked the bearings and everything. When i spin it disassembled to the bike, it spins fine, but when it's attached to the bike, it moves side to side. (it causes the rim to touch the brake padS)
Im guessing somethings wrong with the spokes.. Is there a way to find out what's wrong and correct it by myself at home?

This happend to my friend's bike so he took it to LBS and they fixed the spokes and evertyhing waz fine.

Spoke tension may be loose.

is there a way to check that? how should i fix?

There are various web sites as well a bicycle maintenance books with instructions for truing bicycle wheels. You will need a good spoke wrench that fits the nipples closely and a good does of horse sense. Go for it.
If you want to spend some money invest in a spoke tension meter (tensiometer). But you can do pretty well without it. Start with Dr. Google.

Al

I beg to disagree here. A spoke tension-meter, like the Park Tool TM-1, is a very good tool to have if one is learning to true their own wheels. Or, if loose, check this and be able to bring the tension up to the correct range. It's a bit pricey at around $60, but that and a good spoke-wrench are all you're likely to need for wheel work.

I don't want you to take this wrong, but if you are unsure what causes the wheel to run out of true, are you really sure that you are the one who should fix it.

I'm just basing this off of your question, and it isn't meant to be insulting. Trueing a wheel isn't rocket science, and I'm pretty sure anyone can learn to do it, but you might want to watch someone do it, and have them explain to you what they are doing, and what to look out for, before taking it on for yourself.

The last thing you want to do is have the wheel taco on you on a ride.

Agreed - if this is feasible for the OP. Having someone who will sit you down and show you the step-by-step would be fantastic! If this isn't possible, there is enough good written material to learn from. kris cho: Do you happen to have, or can get, another bicycle wheel you could learn on? Armed with literature and a wheel that could be sacrificed (though I doubt you'd wind-up killing it) - this would be the best way to learn and accomplish the task at hand.

In the meantime, start reading. It's not a mysterious secret you're trying to learn. It's a learning-curve to go through. The worst enemy to learning would be to tell yourself that you can't do it.

Truer words were never spoken.

On the other hand, I have learned a whole lot, thru a whole lot of costly trial and error. I have never actually ruined a rim, but I have spent 2 or 3 days cussing when I was learning, trying to get everything absolutely perfect. The first time I removed a rim, for no better reason than to polish the hub, I didn't get to ride for a week, while I was learning to put everything back together.

FWIW, I have never used a truing stand. I used to just bring the brakes in a little at a time while truing the rim.

Lately I have been using a dial indicator.

It isn't my intent to talk him out of it, just for him to make sure that he knows what he is getting into. Of all facets of bicycle maintenance, Wheels give me the most aggravation, and I sort of know what I'm doing.

i just used a cresent wrench to true my spokes. i just did whatever lol. turned the nipples.

now it's better than before.lol

Tighten the spokes on the side that you want to move the rim closer to the brake, and loosen the spokes on the other side. Work with about 4 spokes in the area you want to move and only turn the spoke nipple a little bit at a time (1/2 a turn).