Wheel and Axle Inspection

SAFETY FIRST: Protective gloves and eyewear are recommended at this point.

Raise the front wheel off the ground with a suitable jack or stand. Rotate the front wheel and check for excessive play or roughness. Do the same for the rear.

To remove the wheels see their appropriate topic, either Font Wheel or Rear Wheel.

Inspect the wheel bearings by turning them with a finger. The bearings should turn smoothly without noise, roughness, or excessive play in the hub.

If the bearings have play in them or are rough replace all the bearings for that wheel. Also, replace the bearings if the seal is damaged. See the Bearing Replacement for more information.

Place the wheel on a truing stand and use a dial indicator to check if the rim is out or true. The specifications for the front and rear wheels are the same.

Check for lateral wobble. The service limit is 2.0 mm (0.08 in) or less.

Check for radial hop. The service limit is 2.0 mm (0.08 in) or less.

If the wheel runout exceeds the service limit the bearings may be at fault. If you replace the bearings and the wheel is still out of specification the wheel must be replaced.

Check the axle runout. Place the axle on a set of V-blocks and use a dial gauge with magnetic stand to measure the runout. Replace the axle (either) if the measurement exceeds 0.25 mm or 0.01 in.

Special Tools-

Dial gauge (1/100 mm): 09900-20606

Magnetic stand: 09900-20701

V-block set: 09900-21304

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