Wobbly back wheel!

San Marzano
San Marzano Posts: 132
edited March 2011 in Workshop
I've just been cleaning my bike down. I turned it upside down to wipe down the bottom bracket etc an noted that the back wheel wobbles very slightly from side to side if you hold the tyre lightly.

I suspect its a 'free hub body issue' but cant be sure.

What do i need to do and what is the likely damage (to pocket not wheel)

Thanks

Comments

  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,540
    if the actual wheel wobbles it won't be the freehub

    assuming the skewer is tight, then the likeliest is either the bearings are loose, worn to buggery, or something broke

    sticking with the theme of least wallet damage, i'd go for loose

    needs some attention with a spanner, might be a good time to clean/inspect/grease too

    likeliest design is what's called cup and cone, park tools site has a good guide on how to adjust etc.

    http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... adjustment

    if all you do is adjust it, you can do it all from the non-drive side, in which case the only tools needed are a couple of spanners - release qr, loosen locknut, tighten/loosen cone a smidge as required, tighten locknut, tighten qr, test to see if too tight, too loose, or just right, repeat as necessary
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Yup, likely to be loose or worn bearings - what happens next depends on type / model of hub and whether play can be adjusted out or not. The likely worst case scenario is replacing the bearings which won't break the bank unless they've worn so much the hub is knackered - but you would have probably felt/heard that first.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..