Front Wheel Bearing Question.

While I was changing Fork Oil and adding Progressive Front Springs and also rebuilding Front M/C and Front Brake Calipher I noticed that my Front Wheel can be pulled side to side 1/16th to 1/8th of a inch with the Brake Calipher removed. Bike is on the Center stand and if I tilt it so that the Front wheel is off the ground and spin it, the Wheel spins free no Wobble. I have never noticed wobble when riding. Is it Wheel Bearing Time?? I noticed the movement when working the front fork up and down when changing the Fork Oil. Grap the top and both of the tire and movement similar to when checking Tie rods on a Car or Truck. Any Ideas? Thanks. Is this normal, and I've never noticed it. Remember Brake Calipher removed, Bike on Center stand. Thanks again.

Does not sound good.
Is it a twist, where the hub is staying stationary, or is the whole wheel sliding side to side by 1/16~1/8" ?
Maybe your missing a spacer?

Just rechecked not sliding side to side but a tilt or tip side to side 1/16 to maybe 1/8th inch.Grap the top of one side and the bottom of the other side and push and tilt of the hub on the axle occurs at least 1/16th inch. What do you think? This does not show up with the Calipher in place.

Oldwolf wrote:

Just rechecked not sliding side to side but a tilt or tip side to side 1/16 to maybe 1/8th inch.Grap the top of one side and the bottom of the other side and push and tilt of the hub on the axle occurs at least 1/16th inch. What do you think? This does not show up with the Calipher in place.

Does sound (feel ) like bearings...the caliper would stabilize movement. The good news is that wheel bearings are inexpensive. The bad news is they can be somewhat a pain to do but are uber easy with bearing driver/remover tool.

In retrospect, the wheel shouldn't tip even with bad bearings...it's like the axle is too small diameter...could this be possible that you have a smaller diameter axle?

Oldwolf, I got mine here for like $18.00 for the complete front and rear set and 5 bucks shipping.

www.ty-coon.com/categories.asp?cat=146

Best of luck,

Mike.