Play In Rear Wheel After Changing Tire - Help!

[Bendecho]

Hi,
I'm new to all this and have a new(ish) Ridgeback Motion hybrid that I bought new from my LBS about 3 months ago.

I have just loosened the nuts on both the front and rear wheel, replaced the tires, and tightened it all back up.

The front is fine but the rear now has a fair bit of play in it. I am taking it to another LBS as I no longer trust the original (botched jobs on another bike of mine) tomorrow to see what's up but wondered what your opinions are?

I just want it sorted but not to have to pay through the nose for it as I'm broke!

Please help!

 

[accountantpete]

What should happen is that the wheel is set up with a small bit of play and then the tightening of the nuts squeezes the cone fractionally leaving no play.

You can try tightening the nuts a tad - but if the play left at set up is too much this won't remove it.

It is a 5 min job to correct this.

 

[Bendecho]

Hi,
Thanks for replying. I have tried tightening more but makes no difference. It looks like the axle stays still but the hub(?) that sits over the bearings with the wheel on it (excuse the ignorance, I'm learning!) moves.

I did notice when I had the wheel off and spun the axle with my fingers that the other side bobs around like it's not straight - is this possible?

Either way, you reckon it'll take 2 mins if I take into the LBS tomorrow?

 

[simon.r]

I did notice when I had the wheel off and spun the axle with my fingers that the other side bobs around like it's not straight - is this possible?

Either way, you reckon it'll take 2 mins if I take into the LBS tomorrow?

It does sound as if the hub just needs adjusting slightly - the bobbing around suggests that the cone needs tightening up:

There'll be a cover/seal of some sort over the balls as well (not pictured above). As said above, with the wheel out of the frame this is a quick job. If you want to do it yourself there are plenty of online guides, or ask here. All you'll need is a cone spanner and a normal spanner to fit the locknut.

 

[accountantpete]

Hi,
I did notice when I had the wheel off and spun the axle with my fingers that the other side bobs around like it's not straight - is this possible?

Either way, you reckon it'll take 2 mins if I take into the LBS tomorrow?

The axle should be straight - there could be a bearing missing. As Simon says it is a DIY job if you have the tools.

 

[Tim Hall]

Axles can get bent, especially on freewheel, rather then freehub wheels, as the bearing is further inboard. This means a greater length of axle is unsupported, which gets more leverage and SPANG! gets bent. The best bit of roadside fettling I did was twatting my mates bent axle with a pickhandle I'd found lying around, as you do, and straightening it.

However, looking at the spec of the 2012 Ridgback Motion, it has a cassette hub, so harder to bend the axle.

 

[Bendecho]

Thanks so much for all your help.

I took it to my LBS (NOT the one I bought it from) and turns out the axle was bent. Cost £8 to sort so not bad!

I have a couple of new questions to do with 'upgrades' on my hybrid that are in my new post if you can help there...?