As my wheels are off (suspension being rebuilt) I thought I'd check the wheel bearings for any obvious problems. I did this by removing the external spacers, inserting the spindles back in, and trying to wiggle the spindle up/down/back/forth at each end. Whilst the back is tight as a drum, when doing this on the front there is a very slight click to be heard suggesting there's a very slight amount of play. I cannot discern if it's at one end or another... feels equal. HOWEVER - is this even a valid thing to do? Is it only when the wheel is in situ and all torqued up that things become tight? Or, does it suggest that my front wheel bearings are indeed done for?
Spending more time looking this morning, it almost feels like the slight movement is between the spindle and the inner face of the bearings. Holding the inner races with my fingers the wheel spins nicely, no roughness or noise. So, am I looking at a new spindle as well as bearings?!?
If you have put your finger in the the inner race and turned it back and forth and it feels smooth and no signs of corrosion then the next test is put the wheel back in and tighten up then raise up and place hands on the wheel at 3 and 9 o clock and see if it rocks , then at 12 and 6 o clock same again , if there is any play in the bearing this will show it . Spindles will be fine . This how your MOT mechanic would do it
Done that... the bearings are smooth as butter. Forks are absent, being rebuilt, so unable to do that. Consensus seems to be it's only when torqued up between the spacers that everything becomes solid, so a little play between the axle and bearings is normal.
Does your front tyre look ok, wear symmetrical? When my bearings were shot the tyre was scalloped on one side. This was missed by the previous owner, along with a fuc#ing long list of other sh1t on his supposed cherished dream bike he was so upset to have to sell, cvnt!! Sorry, I’m still processing my anger
This^^^ Wheel bearings are cheap and easy to replace. If you suspect they might need replacing then for the cost I would just swap them. Just knock the old ones out with a drift bar, put the new bearings in the fridge overnight and leave the wheel(s) in the house where it's warm. The new bearings should then just drop straight in.
I replaced mine recently. Before I tried fitting the bearings, I found a socket that just fits in the bearing hole in the wheel. I inserted a short extension into the socket & used it to drift the bearings in using a copper mallet. Careful not to damage the seal!
The spacers are real important, if at anytime they have been removed / changed you could be straining the bearings when tightening
