How to Fix a Loose Wheel Bearing on a Bike

[@amitgarg66photography]

I have watched a lot of “how to” videos on KZbin, however, this type of video sets a standard for how to do it right. Keep up the amazing work !

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words!

[@cdrive5757]

I second that!

[@demodemo5146]

Thirded

[@MCL20242]

Quadrupled!

[@johnstrawb3521]

@cjhoyle Yes, it's great work. The step by step explanation, the clear lighting and photography, all contribute to a terrific, informative video. Bravo!

[@noreenhussain7419]

One of the best videos on how to adjust and understand the interaction. Very patient and knowledgable.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[@antmck33]

How thoroughly informative yet unpatronising is this guy 👍🏼 subscribed

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words.

[@eternal864]

@@cjhoyle Hey, I totally agree with the top commenter here, so thank you. Just one piece I learned somewhere else which I haven't tried yet myself because I don't have a cone wrench, so I just leave it here you might find it worthy of considering: someone said that it's better to rotate the cone until it touches on the ball bearings so it makes the so called tight bearing, then move the lock nut close so it touches the cone also. Then, tighten the cone counter-clockwise against the luck nut with the cone wrench while keeping the luck nut still. Supposedly it makes things fall into that fine adjustment in a fewer tries. One have to try it though. Thanks again man.

[@desryan1603]

Whenever I'm feeling down and looking for someone to patronise me, I like to bring a bike into a bike shop and tell them about my efforts to fix it myself.

[@sa.t.2507]

This video is one of the most essential about this topic on KZbin.

[@joelpowell9235]

I was trying to diagnose this exact problem with my son’s bike and you saved the day!! He’s back safely riding again. Thank you so much!

[@cjhoyle]

Nice work!!

[@DWESENTERPRISE]

He must be a teacher... Showing all possible outcomes when doing this. Thanks for that!

[@cjhoyle]

I do enjoy teaching!

[@aslkdjfalsdkjfasldkfj]

You explain things sooo much more clearly than any other bike repair tutorial channel I've watched! I suspect my bike might have a loose bearing, and now I know how to check and fix it if I need to. Thank you!

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear. Best of luck!

[@dannymac5257]

Brilliant and easy to follow instructions... and it worked! Back wheel doesn't move anymore! Best tutorial on KZbin..

[@cjhoyle]

Nice work!

[@JessSpruit]

That was way more helpful than the professional's videos on KZbin. This is the only video that actually makes me understand how the cones work. Thank you!

[@JessSpruit]

Although there is one thing you forgot to touch on that other vids did- Why/when to do both sides vs just adjusting one side.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks! This video was specifically focused on the scenario of a loose bearing, so I dealt with the fact that there are 2 cones and locknuts which might need adjusting from that perspective.

[@knowledgeispower8180]

THANK YOU!! I've watched tons of bicycle bearing maintenance videos but haven't really grasped the idea fully. THIS video finally made me understood the whole process in depth. Good job, you explain things so clearly.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@davidzeto2446]

This guy is the best. Comprehensive and thorough enough to let us know what is going on so we can understand the nature of the mechanics, and what is at the heart of a problem or fix.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@captainkris_]

Been searching everywhere for a bit of straight forward help on this and you're the only one who nails it! Wobbly bike wheel fixed! Thanks!

[@johncartwright4041]

I've just inherited a bike with a sloppy rear wheel. As its been 56 years since I worked on a bike I looked at your video to refresh my memory. You did an excellent job of explaining things. I went to the garage immediately after watching the video and fixed it. Will try it out tomorrow because it's raining cats and dogs in Brisbane Australia at the moment and the bike is a primitive one without mud guards. Liked and subscribed to your channel.

[@cjhoyle]

Awesome, great job! I'm glad the video was helpful and easy to follow.

[@masterpep7218]

Finally, someone explained the mechanics properly. Thank you!

[@cjhoyle]

No problem!

[@jimboate7922]

Great tutorial for tightening the axel, nice to see the explanation on the bearings and cups and how they interact. 👍

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@adp8847]

This is a very good video. Straight to the point and everything was explained very clearly. After I've watched a lot of videos about this, I finally understood how it works. I've been learning a lot from you. Thanks a lot, CJ!

[@cjhoyle]

Nice work! Thanks.

[@errorswillmultiply1697]

That is without a doubt the single clearest explanation of adjusting cup and cone bearings I have ever seen. That bit at about ten minutes in where you talked about how the rotation can be transferred to the different parts was absolute gold to me since I have been struggling to understand how tightening the lock nut sometimes seemed to have the effect of loosening the cone and sometimes tightening it - I haven't found that explained anywhere else; everyone just said, 'Hold the cone in position and tighten the lock nut.' As other people have said, _that_ is how to do an instructional video. Thank you!

[@cjhoyle]

I appreciate the kind words. I'm glad the video was so clear and helpful.

[@streakyfish]

Perfect explanation of everything. Thank you

[@DWESENTERPRISE]

I bought a cheap adjustable wrench off of Amazon. Then I grinded it down to be slim. That way it can get in there. I appreciate your video.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@thongbaxter]

Thank you very much for taking the extra effort to do and re-do and explained it so clearly.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, glad you found it helpful!

[@alicomando1195]

i heard clicking noise in rear hub wheel for a month I Rode my bicycle today Suddenly my bicycle stopped Like breaking force I moved rear wheel it was Tight I moved it In Reverse the Wheel Tire Loosened Up Do you think the loose Cone Bolts and Lock nut Caused This?

[@nothingelsematters8217]

People it's the only vedio on youtube ..that cover the deep problems

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@ddahstan6876]

Dang, this video is Precious! You are just addressing all my current problems with my wheel. I accidently open the lock nuts then tightened them Too Tight that the wheel disn't spin freely when when I mounted it back on. Thank you!😊

[@iamlynch]

Thanks a million CJ for such a clear explanation. I've been fixing basic stuff on my bike all my life but never understood the wheel bearings until now. There's one less wobbly wheel in the world now :-D

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear, nice work!

[@fcv1967]

I am brand new to mechanical hands on repair like this and this video was so easy to understand. I am confident I can repair my own wobbly wheel now.

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear, I hope your repair went smoothly!

[@waltjohnszczepaniak9664]

just fixed my front disc wheel after watching this video. thanks, the 3 other videos I watched were not close to the problem and the solution would have been days

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear that my video was helpful!

[@drewlop]

Fantastic job; many tutorials explain _how_ to do a maintenance task, but your demonstration with the locking nuts and the cone-bearing contact surface helped me understand _what_ I'm doing

[@cjhoyle]

Thank you. My dad taught me that understanding how something works can be much more useful than simply learning a procedure to follow.

[@leplane_]

Thank you thank you! I paid $40 bucks to an old man who just didn't correctly replaced my hub shaft, so I'm learning to do it myself the right way. The 4:06 part, this is such a valuable important tip I couldn't find anywhere else. I was dealing with this situation today, and wondering what was going on (I was under the assumption I needed to tight both cones as tightly as possible, while allowing some play, but not too much not too little) but the bolt became loose after spinning the wheel, because I didn't put these bolts where they should go. Moral of the story. Learn to do this yourself, takes some time but you'll end up with new skills, and save up money ( or avoid getting ripped off like me). Your channel deserves way more subs. Cheers

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear. Nice work! Thanks.

[@Dopeassbikevids]

Finally some one who doesn't use a bike stand,this guy knows his bike's.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks. I'm just a guy working on his bikes at home, making tutorials for other people working on their bikes at home.

[@alexandersylvain1117]

Subbed because of it

[@Dopeassbikevids]

@Alex McRae you answered your own qwestion,it's an exspence not everyone can afford ,the only alternative is making one witch also has an expense,so the only real alternative is working on your bike upside down which is not ideal for deraiuer adjust ment.

[@ImJustLynx]

Bikes*

[@imastar1773]

Yes this is a comment I like to see

[@iainwolstencroft3764]

By far and away one of the easiest videos on bearing tightening on KZbin, thank you

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear it. Thanks!

[@chocolate_squiggle]

One of the best most educational bike/motorbike/car videos I've ever watched. I only understood bearings is what spin things a few years ago (and I'm in my forties), but I didn't realise there was this cup/cone system as well as the press-in types. Your clear shots of the cup and the cone system made it so easy to understand, cheers.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

[@dantevale0]

Thank you. At first I thought I would need to replace the entire wheel. But following this tutorial I was able to fix it in 15 minutes. Thank you.

[@chaparro1097]

don't know if you're a life saver or a money saver

[@BarracudaInfinity]

Finally, the right explanation on why my bike is wobbling.

[@thunderhorse6666]

Thank you bro for showing us the failures when asjusting. Every other channel seems get it perfect the first try which always made me feel like a knucklehead and im obviously doing something wrong.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem. Glad it was helpful!

[@mixpix3ls]

Great video. Helped me fix the wobble in my rear wheel today!

[@thomasb1205]

You have a very clear and concise way of explaining concepts, really enjoyed the video!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@tjn0110]

Excellent video. I am fixing my early 90's CCM bike and this greatly helped me see how the parts go together. The original bearings on mine are due to be replaced ;).

[@photoman2004]

Immensely helpful - thank you! Thought i had a serious problem of failed bearings.. but it just needed tightening up!

[@MrCheropupla]

Been struggling for days with the wobbling and tire hitting the frame. Followed your steps and finally fixed! Thank you sir! 👌🏻👏🏻

[@Priest]

What a well made video, highly professional ! 11:10 , thats exactly what I noticed works the best, when you over-tighten the cone, and then go to tighten the cone and locknut towards each other, the cone loosens just enough to allow axle rotation without wobble

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@lapear6068]

not the most fancy video but the most educational and practical and straightforward no bs video

[@cjhoyle]

haha thanks. I try to focus on communicating the information and avoid the frills.

[@chaknam1234]

thanks for helping a lot! explained detaily which is very rare in all those youtube tutorial videos. Wish all the tutorial video explain stuff like you.

[@angelaf2502]

great vid. straight to the point without fluff. The additional explanations about possible question/concerns are perfect and spot on. Very useful. Keep it up.

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear, thanks!

[@kurtissanstrom791]

Thanks for walking through the purpose of each of the components on the axle.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem. Glad it was helpful.

[@gateCodeKC]

Very comprehensive guide. Thank you for this!

[@alikateum]

Thank you for explaining it so well. I feel confident in fixing my bike after watching this video. You are the best. Keep it up! 👍

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, happy to help :)

[@renaissancedoot9919]

This guy knows how to explain things!

[@jclove8745]

Super clear explanation on a basic bike set-up. Should have many more views and likes. Thank you, C.J.!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@ernestoamesqua4848]

This guy is an amazing teacher! Subscribed!

[@DHPearson1]

Wobbly wheel, watched your video, fixed. The whole world should be this straightforward.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, nice work!

[@ugli88]

Excellent lesson. Wish I'd found this first, instead of watching 8 other videos that didn't cover all the bases as clearly as this!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, glad you eventually found your way to my video!

[@ericajuliana4607]

Or one other video that ended with you messing things up reeeally bad :(

[@RationalMorality]

The part about the cones being too tight fixed my problem. The rear wheel was not spinning freely. Cheers 👍

[@mr.slimjim]

I swear I’ve never actually watched a How To video but this one just took me away

[@bryanrobinson5114]

Such a helpful video. You explained everything so clearly and I really appreciated you double checking the play like you did. It was exactly what I needed to see so I really know what to look for. 10/10 lol

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words. I'm glad the video helped you!

[@richlucero3536]

Watched this after the LBS was out a week for a tuneup. Thank you sir.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, glad it helped you!

[@oxforddon2210]

I watched this video as I thought it was time I learned how to tighten the wobbly front wheel on my 1985 bike. Once I'd started I thought I might as well give it a good clean and grease the parts. The wheel no longer wobbles and is able to spin freely. I should have watched the other video first really but I had already been inspired by this one. I went from not knowing what to do to completing the job in one go thanks to watching this!

[@cjhoyle]

Awesome, nice work!

[@woofbark4475]

Great explanation that even a child could understand. No lingo just a perfect explanation of how to fix a loose axle.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks. I try to make my tutorials so they will be helpful to people of all ages and abilities.

[@bitchoflivingblah]

'Saved the day ' for me as I was able to tighten the cone nut and locknut from the non-drive side of my rear wheel and was out riding within 10 minutes - i had a bike stand !!! Thanks again.

[@cjhoyle]

Great to hear, nice work!

[@mumbles11111]

Brilliant thank you. I will go straight to your videos for any future bike issues

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[@dalethompson4443]

Literally the BEST explaination I've listened to or hear on bike wheel bearings and how to check for them and adjust them. Brilliant.

[@andrewkb5211]

Needed to adjust loose wheel. This video was perfect, subscribed. I will go to your channel first next time I need to work on my bike. Many thanks.

[@cjhoyle]

Nice work! Thanks.

[@robertmaimone8733]

Thanks cj, for showing this old dog, the correct way to adjust the wobble in this old bike from the 90s, thanks again for letting me blow some life into this old MB

[@cjhoyle]

Great to hear, nice work!

[@saqibmomin1930]

Very clear and crisp explanation . Thanks !

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@562randy]

This video is amazing!!!! super clear on everything! Some people just talk and don’t show how

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@uthman2010]

Man I dont think I can thank you enough

[@Daddyderf29]

This man is a true hero bless you!!

[@cjhoyle]

Haha thank you for the kind works.

[@williamrussell2768]

Amazing amazing amazing. Not only did your video actually tell me how to fix the problem I had, you also gave enough other information that I understood how it all work which stopped me messing up!!

[@cjhoyle]

Great to hear! I find that knowing how something works is often much more helpful than simply knowing a procedure.

[@Reall]

You cannot belive how much this helped, thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@Londonfogey]

Very useful, thank you. Saved me a trip to the bike shop.

[@ColbyRocky06]

That was pretty helpful it’s nice when theirs videos I can find that tell me exactly what to do and extra information if I should get that type of tool

[@jerryc7452]

Great video. First time replacing an axle, kept overtightening the cones and pinching the bearings. I've got it right now thanks these instructions. Just for future reference, I picked up a set of thin wrenches from Home Depot that can do the same job as a cone wrench. While it's good to have that specialized wrench, the set has 12 different sized wrenches - 6 sae and 6 metric - so you have a lot of variety for different jobs. Great to have if you work on more than just this one project.

[@cjhoyle]

Awesome. Glad you were able to get it figured out!

[@peter.g6]

Best video on this topic I have found. Thanks a lot mate!

[@markbelden6919]

This is something I've done for years, but its nice to watch a very informative video to see what I've been doing wrong for years!!thanks!!

[@cjhoyle]

haha happy to help!

[@loc9588]

excellent explantion of the how the hub works and what the problem is. thank you

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, glad you found it helpful.

[@007JamieD]

Best tutorial have seen to date

[@ASMRStrike1]

Thank you for this video! I got a free bike (A Cannondale Lefty) from a family member and was noticing the rear hub was knocking around a bit. I started taking it apart watching your video and realized that one of the cones was backwards! I flipped it around and it spins like new lol.

[@cjhoyle]

Wow! Always nice when a repair is as easy is swapping around the direction of the part!

[@LordWayne]

Thank you. I had this problem and I just had to tighten one side per your instructions. It worked great !!!

[@cjhoyle]

Awesome, nice work!

[@rf6497]

Thank you. Thought I had to replace the whole thing. But it was just as simple as this video. So saves me money 😅😁

[@cjhoyle]

Awesome, nice work!

[@thetraveler9]

One of the best videos ive seen really explains how the system works.

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear!

[@silviaarmini1098]

wonderful! I am a two left-handed girl and I could repair my shaking back wheel thanks to your explanation!! I am very grateful.

[@cjhoyle]

Fantastic, great to hear!

[@nawidsied2941]

Explained perfectly normally people explain but don’t say what will go wrong and what to do

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

[@hamsterhuey1497]

Very good explanation and demonstration.

[@cjhoyle]

Thank you.

[@user-rm4wt3kc9q]

Thank you for this great video!! Now i know how to fix the problem on the bike! Very good explanations of how to do this and what problems you can have while trying to fix it😊

[@cjhoyle]

No problem :)

[@dannpett2520]

And btw you are the first video that really helped me. Keep doing this great work man.thanks

[@Melissa-qs8qc]

This video has helped me so much. Your thorough in what you teach and you answered all my questions without me having to ask any. Thanks man!! 🤩

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear! Happy to help.

[@JimTimber]

Very helpful sir ! Thanks for helping me to adjust and fix my bike bearings !

[@andyrodriguez4572]

Best video iv seen for this specific fix great explanation 👏 👏

[@pdbike43]

Outstanding tutorial. Great that you covered ands, ifs, and buts.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I try to cover as many scenarios as possible.

[@mikeraftrey8209]

Great video. I have always found wheel bearings a bit of a mystery, but now I am going to give it a go on my sons 'wobbly' back wheel 🚲 Many thanks

[@cjhoyle]

Awesome. Best of luck with your repair!

[@George_331]

Very nice video, thank you for the explanation on how hub works

[@axquijo306]

Best video on the subject. Really helpful. Thanks.

[@ronskaggs7029]

Well Sir,I really appreciate your video and I thank you very much. I hope you have millions of views

[@cjhoyle]

haha thank you!

[@Dirt33breaks]

Fantastic explanation!! My bike has the same issue and tilts to the left when i accelerate. Now i understand my issue!! Thanks alot!

[@cjhoyle]

No problem! Hope you were able to successfully repair your wheel!

[@Dirt33breaks]

@@cjhoyle i was but not perfectly, o found it near impossible to find the correct size cup and cone nuts for my axle/freewheel hub. Theres some small grinding as my new new cups are slightly too small for the balls. But it works at least lol

[@1barret]

Fantastic Video. Thank you for your clear and concise presentation

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words.

[@bendyprissy]

Thank you for helping me fix the wobble in my front wheel! 3 different bike repair shops & almost $200 did not fix what your free, short video did.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, I'm glad the video was helpful!

[@efirstclast7327]

Thanks for this..my rear wheel was "locked up" and now knowing to adjust the bearings help get it going again. Wheel does not move if it's too tight.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, glad it was helpful.

[@trollking6111]

Best bike repair videos on KZbin.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words.

[@mindmap6710]

Amazingly clear explanation.Great video bro. Thanks a lot. I have exactly same problem. Now I know what to do. Thanks again.

[@cjhoyle]

Awesome, thanks!

[@donnievitelloni3806]

I had a very hairy problem with my back wheel, luckily this video shaved a lot of time off my hands trying to figure out how to fix it. Thank you 🙏

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear!

[@dabronzo]

Great in depth video! Thank you

[@NickW90]

This helped a lot understanding how these hubs work. Thanks

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, happy to help :)