How To Fix Loose Wobbly Wheel Hub

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button 🛑 and click the notification bell ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy

[@lloydgeemail80]

Me too man, a little play gives the bearings stress free play..

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@Henry Rutkowski These are real bearings.

[@EdRandall66]

@@RJTheBikeGuy I think he meant, sealed ball races, like in roller skates, skateboards, cars, trains, washing machines - instead of these fiddly loose balls & cones.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@EdRandall66 I know what he meant. His comment suggested these aren't "real" bearings. Very condescending. The majority of bikes out there have these kind of bearings.

[@EdRandall66]

@@RJTheBikeGuy I didn't think his comment was condescending, I thought it was a genuine question - and I have the same one. Do you know the answer (pretty please)?

[@ChinoZ32]

I have both new and old bikes. I am extremely grateful for these valuable skills in repairing older bikes, this helps me so much. You are a very valuable addition to the biking community. Thank you.

[@AOZMONSTER]

I've been rebuilding my own bike parts for 10 years now and you just changed my life. The vice is the third hand I've never had.

[@cherriberri8373]

I can never find a vice that can grip hard enough without destroying what it holds. Maybe it's just because I'm constantly working with super rusted crap

[@ChuckD59]

Another textbook repair. Well done RJ. As a past bicycle wrencher I wanted to add a couple advanced tips. One was already mentioned by @Falko that being the idea of leaving a slight amount of play on the axle before clamping the quick release. Then, if you do it right, the clamping of the QR squishes the cones together just slightly enough to bring them into perfect contact with the balls. Not too tight to bind, and not too loose for any play. There's a fine balance between the initial setting of the cones and how much is too much to clamp the QR down. You can pop the QR nut and damage the skewer threads if you over do it. Don't ask how I know... The other tip is if you're reusing your ball bearings (balls, actually. The entire set with the race and cones is technically the "bearing"), it;'s good practice to keep each side's balls separate since each set has worn into the shape of their race and cone. It's really a trivial thing to be concerned about, but still good practice with only a possible upside. And I will not give up my secret sauce recipe for lubrication. But I will say it includes a moly (MoS2) infused marine paste with one or two drops of 3-in-1 oil to break down the viscosity a bit. But that's all I'll say.

[@nathanmciver6496]

Lmao! They really know how to sell that! As soon as I heard (unrelated) QR, I thought of some douche bags who pretend they live within plastic wrap while eating food made from syringes! Bullshit!!!! Who's being singled out because of stupidity that day!

[@0xsergy]

Why not just use regular marine bearing grease?

[@ChuckD59]

@@0xsergy I've found it to be a bit too viscous by itself. It's not meant for finely tuned bearings and it seems to get even thicker as the temps drop. And I wanted the benefits of the molybdenum.

[@0xsergy]

@@ChuckD59 Definitely gets thicker but i have no issues even in canadian winters. the ice on the road slows me down far more than the bearings dragging ;). i do like the idea of getting some moly in there though, that helps.

[@ChuckD59]

@@0xsergy Yeah, I'm in New England, US. I get it.

[@recstoppauseplay]

Thanks RJ, I wanted to service the front wheel on a Cannondale and the rubber seals on the cones were new to me. Your videos are so great for working on bikes at home, extending the life of the machine without generating unnecessary expenses!

[@billincolumbia]

I knew exactly how to do this, but watched the video anyway, because you just make great content.

[@Hitch179]

Me to 🙂

[@NadeemKhan-lt7no]

And for that, I think you are a good human being :-)

[@robertogomez-re1ut]

Me too

[@lentner3]

Me too, 😂

[@freedomwon2004]

Thank you RJ. Revisiting your video 2 years later.

[@Mclovinthedank]

You have helped me many times with fixing my bike issues, thanks RJ!

[@boatman222345]

Good video on replacing, repacking, and adjusting wheel bearings. That said there was one very important step left out: inspecting both the bearing race and the bearing cone surfaces to ensure that they are not pitted, scored or otherwise damaged. If either of these surfaces is in any way damaged installing new bearings will be for naught as they will quickly be damaged by the pitting or scoring of the races or cones. Replacing damaged cones or inner races may require the assistance of your local bike shop if your don't have either the tools or knowledge required.

[@ddahstan6876]

Dang, I am seeking out my priceless bike guru who always steer me in the right direction. Great explanation and tips. Can't thank you enough!! ❤❤🎉

[@kc3718]

Thank you, I don't often have the confidence and knowledge to do these things and I don't have anyone to help me, so you are truely benevolent for doing this.

[@rcchronicles25]

I can't thank you enough for this video, I've been on for two days till I saw this. Now it's sorted and running beautifully 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@mikeosinski50]

Just ordered a Park Tool Spoke, Bearing, and Cotter Gauge - SBC-1 for my tool box. 👍 Thank RJ

[@rogerdevero8726]

RJ, Very Well Done. Simple, Direct and Well-filmed. Kudos and Thank You - John 3:16

[@MrCharlesEldredge]

Thank you for this great video. I don't have much mechanical experience and I was riding my bike this morning and noticed some odd sounds. After wiggling the bike while riding I noticed the sound was coming from the front wheel and with the wiggling it started wobbling and I could see the problem was with the "wheel hub"(I had no idea what to call it until I saw this video)and I assumed it had to do with the bearings(that part I knew). I made it home though! And now, after watching this video I have the confidence to buy the parts I need and fix it! Yippee!

[@dwaynegreen1786]

I was surprised to find my axel was loose, this video will help me to make my adjustments. Thank uoh for sharing your knowledge.

[@athishmarutharaj6001]

thank you thank you thank you. u deserve more than 300k subs honestly. A bike store mechanic told me that should replace my hub and I only rode my bike for about 5000km.

[@kalijasin]

The hub on my bicycle wheels had ceramic ball bearings so they fell right out. I only had to tip the wheel over after taking out the cup. A couple where still stuck in the hub though. There was some grease holding them down in place. I got them out with a set of tweezers. The ceramic ball bearings is the new thing now. Supposedly the ceramic ball bearings are more round, smoother, and have a lower friction resistance. I did check the size of them so I can get a new set. I didn't have the special park tool though so I used the screw/drill gauge that I already had. I just put the ball bearing in whichever hole it fitted in. It looks like they are 1/4". Nevertheless, I did get the hub overhauled. After I got it all back together I thought I did it wrong But after watching your video it looks like I did it exactly as you did. Which is a relief because now I wont have to take it all back apart again and redo it all. Thanks RJ. 😀

[@stephenstevens6573]

Still, after all these years, this simple Job is one of my favorites!

[@retro8919]

Need to do this to my sons bike. So clear and concise! Thank you!

[@charlesbass4505]

As always RJ, you are a wealth of knowledge for low-cost fixes. Thanks.

[@NomadJan]

Amazingly concise and thorough video tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@JeffManseau]

Thank you so much good sir this seemed so daunting to me but your video made it approachable I just swapped my bearings and it's going better than it ever did. You're a Savior!

[@freedomwon2004]

Thank you RJ. Your videos are so helpful. I refer to them on a regular basis.

[@timromano7085]

Excellent how-to video. Perfect close-up photography and clear explanations of what is important to know.

[@marci_assetto]

I had a wobbly hub on my dirtjumper that i bought 1 year ago i did a lot of tricks on it but after landing a bunny hop the axle broke in half :D Turns out one of the balls of the bearing was missing now i know why it clicked quietly every time, i didn't hear it while riding only when doing maintenance and truing. Thank you now i know how to repair it :DDD

[@SuperMarkito1]

The best guy to watch video about bike fixing tutorials. Always your video help me to maintain and fixing my bike. Thanks a lot!

[@bartenveronique]

When I do this job, I always check the cones. When a wheel wobbles, very often the cones are worn too. If so, you definitely need to change them as well. And I can tell from experience that finding the right size of cones is harder than finding the size of the ball bearings.

[@bartenveronique]

@@myvicariouslife4012 I don't have an online source where to find the right size. But what I do have is a variety of cones in stock. Some bought new (they don't cost much) and some I retrieved from old hubs. This way I can always find one that fits.

[@brettyasu]

Thanks RJ! Clear and concise. Easy viewing as well to see what you're doing and no random stories that make the video 2 hours long! Thanks! Subscribed!

[@AntPorr]

Thank you RJ. Always informative. I've got parts sitting in Evapo-Rust right now, because of you. 👍

[@ajkauly3682]

Very useful video,thanks! One thing could be emphasized is the ensuring of locking the cone/locknut on the side not apparently loose. it was mentioned to make sure they are tight, but was shown with hand doing that, whereas it should be wrench tight, just as much as the nut/cone side being taken apart. This singular potential flaw of procedure is the source of many future slippages of adjustment, even after a hub is overhauled ! (often appears the first time a wheel is taken off for fixing a flato or transporting, more so on solid axle wheels. One can even start the entire procedure with the act of ensuring tightening the side which is NOT seemingly finger loose! RJ THANKS AGAIN for your body of educational work !

[@lwdw6655]

I just want to thank you for all the help of your videos you gave me the confidence to do all the work on my bike my fount wheel was to tight and with your help i got my wheel moving free again i just want to thank you so much

[@mauritzallberg7302]

Just want to say, so happy for your Chanel, i learn so much, i restore shimano rsx shifter whit help of your videos.. you are the best, i think u should show your face and say hello to your fans...in every video..the best to you handyman

[@Drago0900]

My Zektor 3 has been sitting for a while (3 years) and the grease ran dry, thanks to you I was able to repack and replace the bearings in the front hub. I’ll have to do the rear hub when I get my cassette tool in. I will probably watch your bottom bracket video as well on how to replace that awful thing. Front hub in the meantime feels great, and has never been better. No more grinding.

[@stevephla]

Very good tutorial for a common issue.

[@harrisp584]

Thank you for your detailed repair video, my front hub is very similar to this one so I found this extremely helpful. A lot easier than I thought it would be and it felt good to do it myself. Subbed!

[@animalred3274]

Bro you just fixed my wobbly tire, one of my ball bearings fell inside the axil “chamber” causing my axil to move. This is only my second ever bike at 26, my first bike was stolen when I was 12 and just never got another one until now. Thank you!

[@yourboyvic]

was experiencing the same thing on my bike, happy to have found this video, will do this tonight, what creates the wobble? thanks rj, subbed

[@MattRose30000]

I have recently started to buy and salvage trash bikes, and this channel has become invaluable for me. Because other channels usually only talk about replacing components with brand new ones, or using their official branded tools.

[@jorjito5587]

So glad I can repair my fiancés bike instead of replacing a wheel! Than you for the information!

[@jeffs5519]

Thanks so much for the detail on sizing and acquiring ball bearings! Great info explained well as always.

[@daveys_gaming_corner]

Just bought a mongoose fat tire for $45 and the rear tire was wobbly thank you for the info on the adjustment!

[@cvirkus37]

i have had a bad wheel wobble on the rear wheel of my bike for a while now, i've replaced the whole drivetrain with a new one but it's still there, now i know how to fix it though by watching your informative video, thanks so much, i'm subscribed to your channel my good friend ! ! ! ! ! ;-) lol

[@SanchoSanto]

This is exactly what I need to do to revive an old bike. Hopefully the back tire won't be too difficult. Thank You for the tool list. It really helps to find all the tools I will need.

[@garynugent2560]

Love your stuff RJ, you're the Justin Guitar of bike repair ❤

[@BSS22193]

This is very good video showing how to overhaul the front wheel bearing on a bicycle.

[@DCTaylor281]

Thanks for posting this! Helped me with my latest single speed build I’m doing on my channel!

[@ethan_scooters2462]

Mines still loose?? Lol

[@brokenbolts8308]

@@ethan_scooters2462 worked for me.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Then you did something wrong.

[@jrez3430]

Excellent video of a common issue. Keep up the great work RJ.

[@leon_sad_long]

Hey man, Great video on explaining what the issue might be and how to fix them, it's easy to understand and very easy to follow. Thanks for the guide!

[@singletona082]

Considering I'm about to do a one year servicing on my bike. This is real good to know. Thank you for the video

[@trevorholbrook1172]

Hi RJ, would you agree with Park Tools, that when adjusting a hub bearing that is on a quick release axle, that the cone nut should be tightened, then back off a 1/4 turn so there is very slight movement of the bearing, which makes allowing for the flexibility of the hollow tube axle. The bearings Will then tighten up when the axle is in the dropouts using the quick release nuts. Looks like I should have read ChuckD59’s comments first , as he has said the same thing.

[@jurikristjouw]

Nice vid, thanx for sharing. It appears you might have the dust covers the wrong way around, if you google cup/cone you will find that the hollow part is on the inside (i guess to hold the grease and not touch the bearing itself). The comments help a lot also! I did not know the compression when using quick release and hence you must leave a little play on the bearings

[@NoahNobody]

There's nothing as satisfying as fixing your family bikes. I replaced a broken gear cable for my son's new second hand bike and it felt great.

[@wishbone9478]

Great video, It's really clear to watch and understand. 💯%✌️ Am new to bike repairs, Man from Ireland says thanks. 🍀

[@lceci9798]

You made this very simple. I feel confident I can do it myself.

[@kankaskank]

Thanks for all RJ, Of great usefulness what you share.... thanks to you I keep my bike very well adjusted, Greetings from Tijuana Mexico

[@lewismaynard4]

Top video my man. I learned a lot. Thanks for your step by step simple instructions. Top man. 👍

[@sunndrac]

This reparation makes a world of difference, the bike is faster and easier to pedal after that. It's what I take the most care of when overhauling a "new" bike in my stable.

[@lewismaynard4]

Brilliant tutorial my friend. Learned a lot from u. Keep up the good work.

[@dujeklanac1639]

Hey, what grease are u using, and what kinds of grese can i use??

[@abdulrahmanreciteation]

Hey quick question I tightened my inside of my wheel and it’s a bit stiff to spin but if I loosen it it will wobble again

[@edwinromilly4645]

Great filming & clear,precise..etc Eternally Grateful for your videos🤔👍👍

[@MrPrajitura]

So the problem is the ball bearings going bad? I have a lot of play on my front wheel on my Colnago 29er, will go in and take a look. Cheers

[@williamvan909]

Out standing videos 👍👍👍 buddy good information to know how to do The bearings .

[@NativeSonSF]

Perfect solution and explanation. Thank you!

[@alexmurphy2907]

Perfectly eyplained and showed how to fix such issue. Thanks.

[@InCountry6970]

Nice repair, thanks. I never saw a spoke pattern like that ? I have always done two over one under on my spokes. Does your hub flex back and forth with that pattern ?

[@sncpapa]

Thanks for this great video. Question: why is it important for the quick release lever to go on the non-drive side of the front wheel?

[@orange-peeler]

thank you for all these details through the process, like checking for tightness! this is super helpful :)

[@duncandee2514]

RJ killing it again with another awesome video 👍

[@philbaton8181]

Thanks for such an easy to follow, step by step video. Are there certain bearings you would recommend for a 27.5 inch rear tire? I have a Mongoose Ardor X1 if that matters at all

[@jack002tuber]

The quick release will compress the axle a little, so I put the cones in slightly loose and when you put it on the bike they compress a little and are just right. Also, when you tighten the locknut onto the cone you want to recheck the fit, sometimes the axle turns with the cone, sometimes it doesn't

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

That is why I used the vise to hold the opposite side, along with the cone wrench, so the axle wouldn't turn.

[@jack002tuber]

@Certyfikowany Przewracacz Hulajnóg Elektrycznych I have seen this firsthand. Many times.

[@mathias5171]

Thanks for making this so clear and simple!

[@ligmuhnugs]

The cups in the wheel I'm working on are damaged but not replaceable. I replaced only the ball bearings and left the damaged cups and the wheel is completely silent now. It may only last a year, but this repair is cheaper and easier than rebuilding the wheel with a new hub.

[@TanveerAhmed-gl5jk]

Top video.learnt a lot . Thanks for uploading. Briliant.👍👍👍

[@Arcturus-0.05]

To learn from my mistake, there are dust caps that are not removeable, so be EXTRA careful when trying!!

[@gilligan-No.700]

Nice video buddy, thanks for this Information 👍

[@NeonNanoTech]

Is it possible to replace slightly larger bearings as long as they fit and work properly?

[@showbizwisconsin8350]

Thanks for the video, although for people looking for a quick fix, just simply tightening the cone works fine.

[@guitarfreakfalko]

Hi, did you ever think/talk about bearing grades? Ive seen bearings that were only case hardened or such a bad quality (out of round) you couldnt realy get a good cone adjustment. With quick release hubs i tend to leave a little bit of play in the cone adjustment, so the compression of the axle from the skewer, takes the slack away. You can test the cone adjustment outside of the frame, by using e.g. two big M12 nut as a makeshift. Tho you need to be aware of that when finaly mounting it in the frame, because you dont want it to be wobbly/loose. So i guess its not a good thing to do, for technical inexperienced users. What problem could possibly occur with magnetized bearings?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Generally bikes have grade 25 bearings. Magnetized bearings attract metal bits as stuff wears.

[@leifcian4288]

Well magnetized bearings will attract small metal particles that will wreck the hub racers apparently. Yeah I think you have to match similar hardness to hardness bearings, racers/cones if one parts harder it will wear the other down, presumably not good to mix different bearings I suppose... Not sure what a good way to test metal hardness would be, you do get a sense of different types of metal and fabrication quality after going over enough bike parts huh.

[@guitarfreakfalko]

@@leifcian4288 Well i wasnt talking about similar surface hardness, just that there are cheap bearings out there, that are only case hardened wich can squish like a gummball under pressure, in contrary to fully hardened balls wich should be able to take much more pressure. The difference in hardness in metals might be a part of the problem but it also has to do with different sizes of surface area. A cone is more prone to fail of abrasion then the ball bearings or the cup because it has the smallest surface area.

[@Bikeops2021]

@@leifcian4288 As RJ said, Grade 25 is accurate to 25/1,000,000 of an inch. Less expensive ball bearings maybe grade 300, which are less round, at 300/1,000,000 of an inch. ... A steel ball-bearing is likely to be over a Rockwell C of 60. Ceramic ball bearings can be a Rockwell C of 75, much harder than the steel races!

[@derekhobbs1102]

I bolted some 50mm square tube to base of my vise so I can put roasting tray under it, less chance of ball bearings getting lost.

[@freedomwon2004]

Great idea. Thank you

[@rivnuts7398]

I use one of those magnetic parts dishes not only to catch but to retain all those loose bearings.

[@evanswinford7165]

Magnetic tray. If you use a proper cone wrench you don’t need the vise. Much cheaper too.

[@el_micha]

@@evanswinford7165 Can u recommend some? Maybe even forged ones? I tend to find only pressed steel or punched from steel ones which look overpriced for their quality…

[@evanswinford7165]

El Micha I have used the same Sugino cone wrenches for years. Park Tools also. Just buy the Park tools if you can’t find others. They have good kit. You should have 13-19 mm open end wrench set. Some bike tools can’t be substituted for you just gotta pay the price. Don’t cheap out.

[@simonpowell2559]

Little tip: getting that fine adjustment between cone and balls can be tricky. Over tighten cone a touch. Put lock nut behind it and back off the cone, not tighten the lock nut usually a much quicker job.

[@tacticalceo685]

Nice video as always RJ .

[@ManuelManuel-ct1gp]

Nice 👍 much love from Serbia♥️

[@thatguyjimbo]

thanks for making this video it really helped me do some maintenance work!

[@Giove83]

I’m also very glad you made the point about over tightening because that’s what I did and they was grinding

[@PaulChapman1bz]

A ring spanner on the lock nut and cable tied to a couple of spokes is a sufficient alternative to the bench vice for those who don't have one. Like me.

[@jrev80]

Worked perfect for me! Great video!

[@SuperMoz1986]

That's one handy vice. I need one for doing my rear hub.

[@belturbet4]

thanks for the demo, very well presented

[@randommountainbiker9305]

My front wheel has been having a similar problem lately (although way less wobble than what you have had). I have had my bike for nearly a year now so I don't really see the point in replacing bearings just yet. Could I achieve a fix by just tightening the nuts that keep the hub in place, thanks.

[@SamLTate]

Yes that'll be fine. Bearings should last a good few years (like 3-10) unless you get some real grit and moisture in there, so just do this procedure but instead of replacing the bearings, just clean them up and give them fresh grease :)

[@randommountainbiker9305]

@@SamLTate Awesome thankyou

[@humanbeingfromearth]

Good video, thanks for uploading

[@politics1492]

what was the blue grease that is used on the ball bearings though?

[@stephenwhite5444]

Awesome video! Hey do you have a good source for replacement dust caps? I need to rebuild a set of vintage Suzue hubs and I want to lightly clean and polish the race. I'd like to know I can replace the dust covers in case they get damaged during removal....can't find them anywhere!

[@Envy701]

Many thanks for this video. My son and his friend tried to fix a puncture and manged to pull apart the internals of the hub. Now I know how to fix it oh and purchase bearings that they lost 😅

[@inuktittussen2164]

my sons bike, the back wheel is very hard to spin. im not sure what it is, I think I will try and clean bearings. thanks!

[@Elixir-re8yl]

thanks man this can of forgotten bike fix tutorial is what I'm looking for. now a days its always buy new one.

[@miroslaf123]

Nice video, for what is that spring used, doe the spring go on frame?

[@cameroneshleman4833]

Just curious. Could I take my front rim and swap the cassette onto it with the other parts from the rear rim. Like a swap or are the front and back different. Appreciate all the time you take for these videos

[@cirosmserpico3832]

Hello, I know this is not the best videoto ask, but I've seen in the past your videos, a lot! and now I couldn't find the more appropriate. my question is: could you go from a Shimano TA hub to a QR? considering we have 2 hubs could we swap the axle in order to have a "new" hub made by the TA hub + the axle from the qr hub?. I saw the overhaul for the shimano different freewheel body and I found it very helpful and technically amazing. Thank you for your reply and for sharing your experience.