What size front axle and where to buy?

[User]

 

[Colin_P]

When it comes to axles, just measure the diameter and the length. There shouldn't be any issues with thread pitch and cone shape / bearing size on a bike of that age... but you never know.

What may be tricky is the diameter measurement unless you have some vernier calipers. Best thing to do, obviously, is take it down to your bike shop and get it matched.

 

[lpretro1]

You will need to get right pitch of thread as well as axle size - older ones are different to today's

 

[Colin_P]

[QUOTE 4079110, member: 45"]Thanks. How?[/QUOTE]

By taking the old axle down to the LBS and matching up.

You could of course use a thread pitch gauge to measure the old axle.

 

[tyred]

Looks like standard Raleigh fare with no lock nuts so will be 5/16" diameter although I am not sure what thread type they used as I have never had to replace one.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Might check with bike shop. It looks like the nuts have been replaced, maybe the nuts are the problem, and not the axle. Either way, they may be able to
a-Get you an axle
b-Get new nuts
c-Tell you what the thread pitch and type would be. Then you could get a new axle , or tap the old ones carefully to refresh the threads.

 

[tyred]

[QUOTE 4079134, member: 45"]Yup, you're right. Just been reading Sheldon. No flats on the cone on one side. I might just salvage this one. It's not too bad.[/QUOTE]

Just pay attention to how you fit the wheel. The fixed cone goes to the right, tighten the right hand wheel nut and make final bearing adjustment with the wheel in the forks before tightening the left hand nut whilst holding the cone with spanner/pliers.

If it's fitted with the adjustable cup to the right hand side, there is a danger the rotating wheel can tighten the cone and wreck the bearings.