Squeaky wheel

Message

Amdonim · #1 Unread post by **Amdonim** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:37 am

I noticed Wednesday on a trip that my front wheel has started squeaking intermittenly. The speed of the squeak is directional proportional to the speed I'm driving, but it doesn't always happen. It's fairly loud to boot, as I can hear it over my engine/wind etc...

Is this something i should be worried about, or a sign that I need to do some sort of maintenance? BTW, I don't think it's coming from the brakes because it doesn't vary at all when I use them. Thanks in advance.

BuzZz · #2 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:01 am

I would get the front wheel off the ground somehow to see if it is tight and binding or loose and wobbly. My concern would be the wheel bearings either seizing or having the rolling elements fall out. Both things could suck in a big way at speed.

While the wheel is up in the air, check the brakes for any drag, as well as any loose fender mounts or such to see if that's the cause.

I'd check it out, locking the front wheel while riding will suck in all kinds of ways.

#3 Unread post by **Wrider** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:58 am

Agreed, get it up in the air and check your bearings, brakes, and fender mounts.
And no, that does NOT mean doing a wheelie while checking all of those things...

Amdonim · #4 Unread post by **Amdonim** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:12 pm

Thanks for the tips, I'll try to get my bike lift up here to check it out, if I can make the damn thing fight my bike. I'm still not quite sure how yet, because the oil pan sticks out below the frame rails. Oh well thanks for the tips.

Amdonim · #5 Unread post by **Amdonim** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:33 pm

Actually I may drop by the shop tomorrow. What is the bolt called that runs through the front rim? I'd like to ask them if it's torqued to spec.

coffee_brake · Sun Nov 15, 2009 3:41 pm

Axle. That's your front axle. Checking the front bearings is only going to take a minute.
If you have a friend, you can have him pull the bike over on the left side (with the weight on the sidestand) until the front wheel comes off the ground. Then, you grab the rim and try to wobble it back and forth. You will feel it and hear it if the front wheel bearing is bad.

Without said friend, you can put a bottle jack under the engine (with usually a little piece of wood to distribute the weight and the bike IN GEAR) to get the front wheel off the ground; and test it that way.

Wheel bearings are cheap and not hard to replace. I like the brand AllBalls, I've never had a bearing not fit right or fail with them. I use their neck and wheel bearings. They are sealed bearings but I always pull off the seal and pack in more grease before install.

Amdonim · #7 Unread post by **Amdonim** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:31 am

Well, I propped it up, and the wheel had no play, so I guess it's not that. I guess it might be the brakes. I replaced the front pads a few months ago, and they've been a little noisy.