Front wheel lateral play - bearings? (fulcrum racing 5)

[oliglynn]

Have noticed there's a tiny bit of lateral play on my relatively new racing 5's. They've done ~1000 miles at a guess. In certain positions in its rotation I can wiggle the wheel from side to side at the rim, and it moves positively at the bearings.

Have taken it apart (taken the axle out) and had a look at the bearings (stuck the axle in with the close fitting bush pointing the other way and gave it a wiggle). The bearing on one side seemed a tiny fraction looser (I could wiggle the axle a tiny bit more) - but not knowing much about wheel bearings, was not sure if either of the bearings are shot or not, or whether the axle had come a bit loose or how tightly to re-assemble.

I re-assembled to the closest free-running fit (bearings not compressed), and the play is still there. I don't want to over-tighten it as it gets stiff and I don't know if this will damage the bearings.

Sooo... any advice on how to know if bearings are gone, and how tight to fit the axle would be appreciated!

 

[Cubist]

You'll only really know if you remove the bearings, degrease them and examine them for wear. The race itself may also need checking. Given the price of bearings get some new ones, plus some decent grease and follow this:
https://www.cyclechat.net/

 

[gbb]

If you've done up that 'sleeve' with the flat on it to take up sideways movement, it does seem the bearings are shot.
Make sure there's no wear on that sleeve and the bearings are tight in the hub..
TBF, i'd be surprised if the bearings are shot. I'm just feeling the ones i took out of my R5s, there's no lateral movement.
If you want oli...you can have a pair of my old 'new' ones FOC . They were removed from a new wheelset so they've done a couple hundred miles maximum.

 

[oliglynn]

A very kind off gaz - going to try a couple of things to see if they're ok first, but may come back to you if it turns out that they're shot.


I haven't done up the sleeves with flats that tightly (I assume these are what Cubist's article refers to as cones). The bearings rotate freely. I could have a go at doing them up a bit tighter, but last time I tried it added resistance to the rotation so I backed them off again. Looking at Cubist's link, it seems I have to find a "magic spot" where there's a whisper of play. And I need 3 hands. Seems this is a bit of a black art requiring some trial & error!

 

[oliglynn]

***Update***

after a bit of fiddling to get the right clearance as per that other thread, and doing up the quick release a bit tighter it seems the problem's sorted! Cheers guys!