Quick help! Front wheel (doesnt roll well)

ls1cameric · May 12, 2006

I noticed last night after giving my bike a once over for this weekends ride that the front wheel is pretty "frictiony" when you freely spin it. It's like theres no lube and it's metal against metal.
What exactly do I need to do? Could the bearings be shot? How much do wheel bearings cost? OR do I just need to grease something? If I need to grease it, what kind of grease?

Kasjok · May 12, 2006

Maybe your front break is on? If thats not the thing then it`s your bearings. Get the wheel off and check if your bearings are ok, there`s not much of a point to grease them. They are realy cheap so just buy yourself new ones.

ls1cameric · May 12, 2006

Kasjok said:
Maybe your front break is on? If thats not the thing then it`s your bearings. Get the wheel off and check if your bearings are ok, there`s not much of a point to grease them. They are realy cheap so just buy yourself new ones.

Well it's definately not the brake. I'll just go pick up some new bearings after i get off work.

ls1cameric · May 12, 2006

okay, called around and nobody has them in stock untill monday. Am i going to screw anything up if I go riding this weekend w/ shot bearings? I'm only riding trails for a few hours tomorrow. Will I be cool unitl monday if i ride?

Kasjok · May 12, 2006

I don`t think there`s going to be any major damage. The biggest(and the only?) risk is that bearings will start spining in their paces, holes(sorry, i don`t know hot to say it in english).

ls1cameric · May 12, 2006

Kasjok said:
I don`t think there`s going to be any major damage. The biggest(and the only?) risk is that bearings will start spining in their paces, holes(sorry, i don`t know hot to say it in english).

So I'll only really dammage the bearings if anything. Right?

dezryder · May 12, 2006

If the bearings seize, you can plan on a new axle if your very far out when it happens. Did you just try dealers for the bearings? You should be able to find them at a bearing house...in stock and cheaper.

ls1cameric · May 12, 2006

dezryder said:
If the bearings seize, you can plan on a new axle if your very far out when it happens. Did you just try dealers for the bearings? You should be able to find them at a bearing house...in stock and cheaper.

I called every dealer in austin and no one has them. I did call one place and the guy said that i can bring them in and he'll see if he has any that will match. (didnt have the part # on hand)

I'll have to take the wheel off tonight and see if thats actually whats causing it. When I spin it, it might make 2 revolutions and then stop but it's making that metal to metal sound when its spinning.

And where/what is a bearing house?

dezryder · May 12, 2006

I think you're on the right track with thinking it's bearings. If you get the bearings out, you can take one to a bearing house, (A biz that sells all types of bearings...look in yellow pages under bearings)and they can match it by the numbers on the bearing or by measuring. And at a significant savings over your yamaha dealer.

ls1cameric · May 12, 2006

dezryder said:
I think you're on the right track with thinking it's bearings. If you get the bearings out, you can take one to a bearing house, (A biz that sells all types of bearings...look in yellow pages under bearings)and they can match it by the numbers on the bearing or by measuring. And at a significant savings over your yamaha dealer.

I checked around and the only place in Austin is a mojor corp that actually makes/distributes the bearings. I'll see what i can come up with. I actually ordered some but they said they wont be in until next week. Maybe i can get lucky and find some tonight locally.

rmc_olderthandirt · May 12, 2006

I would recommend at least taking the bearings out, inspecting them and re-packing them. If the bearings look okay, no pits or scarring, then you should be fine for a weekend.

If the bearings look bad, all pitted or obviously damaged then I wouldn't ride. If the bearing siezes then the axel will be damaged, and you might end up walking home. Note that if the bearing totally goes you won't be able to tow the bike so if you are in a place where you can't get your truck/trailer then you might be in a world of hurt.

dezryder · May 12, 2006

I didn't check these out...but found found five doing a google search. Here's the link:

http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Bearings+Dealers/S-TX/T-Austin/

ls1cameric · May 15, 2006

Well after all of the hastle and searching for bearings, I took the front wheel apart Friday night and noticed that it wasnt the bearings at all. They are in perfect condition, seems like I still had an excessive amount of mud caked on the axel and my brake pads are rusted. Thats what is actually causing most of the noise. I cleaned everything and put it back on, now the wheel will spin for minutes instead of seconds but I still have the annoying metal to metal noise as most of it is comming from the brake pads.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get that to stop sqeaking?

Quick help! Front wheel (doesnt roll well)

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