My wheel is really loose but I can't get the hubs any tighter (I'm tightening the nuts that stick out of the hub) Any suggestions?
it's a quick release, BTW
it's a quick release, BTW
Any other ways to tighten hubs?
- Thread starter freeridekid
- Start date
I don't know anything about your mechanical knowledge, so I'll explain this assuming that you don't know anything about it (don't be offended). Judging from your brief description, it sounds like you're tightening down on your lock nuts rather than your cones. Check this picture to see what I mean:
There are some good instructions here: http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_hub.shtml.
Enjoy!
There are some good instructions here: http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_hub.shtml.
Enjoy!
the axle should spin freely in the hub with no play. This usually means tightening it down untill it stops, and then backing off 1/2 turn.
This is assuming you have the cone-wrenches of course. You'll need 13 and 15mm to work on shimano hubs, and a 17mm box-wrench to remove the locknut.
And there is no other way to tighten your hubs, but what is probably happening is that you are not tightening the locknuts against the cones, so the stuff keeps moving on you.
This is assuming you have the cone-wrenches of course. You'll need 13 and 15mm to work on shimano hubs, and a 17mm box-wrench to remove the locknut.
And there is no other way to tighten your hubs, but what is probably happening is that you are not tightening the locknuts against the cones, so the stuff keeps moving on you.
oh yeah, i forgot about that from my bmx days. thanksrvlacich said:I don't know anything about your mechanical knowledge, so I'll explain this assuming that you don't know anything about it (don't be offended). Judging from your brief description, it sounds like you're tightening down on your lock nuts rather than your cones. Check this picture to see what I mean:
There are some good instructions here: http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_hub.shtml.
Enjoy!
It's a tricky procedure... tighten up the cones, tighten the lockrings against the cones and the cones might back out a tiny bit, they might wind up a tiny bit, you have to trial and error a few (or many) times. Once adjusted properly, which is more than just tightening the cones, they shouldn't pose any problems for a while. It's a job you really should learn to do yourself, but spend at least a weekend on it, be patient, and learn to get a feel for the procedure.
OMG i hate this! now the hubs either tighten up or unwind when i spin the wheel on the bike and the cranks spin when you spin the wheel forward w/o pedalling. if you pedal backwards, the chain just bunches up on the front deraillur so the rear sprocket just doesn't spin. What now? I got the cone to a good point and tightened the locknut onto the cone w/o letting the cone turn. I don't know if this is how it's supposed to work, but the locknut on the sprocket side of the hub won't loosen on the axle. please help 
the bunching your getting in the rear hub is usually associated with a gunked up busted freehub. for the nuts that adjust the cones, if they are to loose to stay on unless they are jacked, try some A. lock lite (blue) or, plummers teflon tape on the threads to keep the nut in place.freeridekid said:OMG i hate this! now the hubs either tighten up or unwind when i spin the wheel on the bike and the cranks spin when you spin the wheel forward w/o pedalling. if you pedal backwards, the chain just bunches up on the front deraillur so the rear sprocket just doesn't spin. What now? I got the cone to a good point and tightened the locknut onto the cone w/o letting the cone turn. I don't know if this is how it's supposed to work, but the locknut on the sprocket side of the hub won't loosen on the axle. please help
~SGD
The locknut and cone should be tightened against each other, I can't see the need for threadlock compounds unless it's a badly designed cartridge bearing unit. But anyway, sounds like your freewheel is dead, time to take it to a shop I think, and see what can be done... you might be up for a new hub, which given your dramas, isn't entirely a bad thing.
Just a note with open ball hubs, if you let them run too loose/tight for any amount of time, you smash the bearing surfaces and pit them up, making proper adjustment impossible from then on.
Just a note with open ball hubs, if you let them run too loose/tight for any amount of time, you smash the bearing surfaces and pit them up, making proper adjustment impossible from then on.
Indeed... as much as I like giving advice for bike repairs online, some things, such as bearing adjustment, require a professional touch, so that it gets adjusted properly and doesn't lead to longterm dramas.
And even the best home mechanics are going to struggle to fix bung freewheels.
And even the best home mechanics are going to struggle to fix bung freewheels.