Clicking sound and a wobble

zeeple · 09-30-2008, 11:57 AM

Ever since I bought my bike there has been a slight wobble on the front wheel. Observing the wheel as I am going down the road I have noticed that there seems to be a number of side to side bends in the rim and I figured this was just because the wheel is out of "true".

However, recently one person asked me if I was certain that it was not a problem with my bearings. This made me wonder a little. Another symptom I have observed is a clicking sound that comes from the front wheel while I am pushing the bike forward in neutral (with the engine off).

What does the clicking sound typically indicate? Any ideas?

hsartteacher · 09-30-2008, 02:28 PM

I would also have the tire checked; it may be worn unevenly. This could cause the wobble?? Or the rim it self, as mentioned.

Speedzter2000 · 09-30-2008, 07:46 PM

Sounds like bearings to me. Put it on the center stand and check it out.
The tire may be out of balance. Do you have spoked wheels? You'll know as soon as you spin it around. If it clicks, usually that is indicative of bad bearings.If you have drum front brakes, check that out as well. You won't know until you investigate! Good luck!

David 1 · 09-30-2008, 08:00 PM

75 Suzuki
That may be spokes.
Prop up the front and spin the wheel. Some bikes have noisy brakes. Pull the caliper if you know how, then spin. If the noise is still there it may be bearing.
Also hold the wheel at 2 sides and wiggle. Bad bearing will show looseness and wobble.
But get it taken care of right away and don't ride it like that til it's fixed.
dc

zeeple · 10-01-2008, 11:59 AM

Thanks for all the responses. I am thinking about trying to replace the bearings myself (if that is the problem). Does anyone know if this is something a novice mechie can pull off or is this something better left to the pros?

The wheel definitely has spoke and I am guessing that they are warping the wheel. I am going to try my hand at truing the wheel too since there is no one in the Seattle area that does that as a service (at least that's what the Suzuki shop says).

Unfortunately the bike doesn't have a center stand, so I am not sure how to get the front wheel off the ground yet.

zeeple · 10-01-2008, 12:06 PM

Another question. I can still order the bearings, so I am wondering which are the correct ones:

25-1: B1 12X32X10 BEA
25-2: B1 12X37X12 BEA

I could take the current bearings out and measure them I guess but I am not sure if any of these numbers actually correspond to measurements.

Dan631 · 10-01-2008, 12:26 PM

Here in AR we have a bearing and supply store. See if you have something similar where you are. Take the bearing to them and they can measure it and match it.

Wheel truing can turn into a real mess if you are not careful. You'll notice that your wheel has inside and outside spokes. Look at the hub and the spokes that lace from the inside out are "outside" spokes and the ones that lace from the outside in are the "inside" spokes. The outside spokes are the ones that pull the rim left or right. The inside spokes pull the rim up or down(they control the "hop"). Wheel truing isn't about tightening spokes. You may have to loosen some and tighten others to get the desired results.

mydlyfkryzis · 10-01-2008, 09:37 PM

If its a spoked wheel, it could be the spokes are loose. Get the wheel trued. You true a spoked wheel by tightening the spokes properly.

09-30-2008, 11:57 AM	#1
zeeple 1983 Honda FT500 Ascot, 1975 Suzuki TC100 Blazer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 131	Clicking sound and a wobble Ever since I bought my bike there has been a slight wobble on the front wheel. Observing the wheel as I am going down the road I have noticed that there seems to be a number of side to side bends in the rim and I figured this was just because the wheel is out of "true". However, recently one person asked me if I was certain that it was not a problem with my bearings. This made me wonder a little. Another symptom I have observed is a clicking sound that comes from the front wheel while I am pushing the bike forward in neutral (with the engine off). What does the clicking sound typically indicate? Any ideas?

10-01-2008, 09:37 PM	#8
mydlyfkryzis Gadget Freak Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 339	If its a spoked wheel, it could be the spokes are loose. Get the wheel trued. You true a spoked wheel by tightening the spokes properly. __________________ 1991 CB750 Nighthawk 1976 CB360t

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09-30-2008, 02:28 PM	#2
hsartteacher I Ride Like A Girl Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,526	I would also have the tire checked; it may be worn unevenly. This could cause the wobble?? Or the rim it self, as mentioned.

09-30-2008, 07:46 PM	#3
Speedzter2000 Wrench. Ride. Repeat. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New York Posts: 240	Sounds like bearings to me. Put it on the center stand and check it out. The tire may be out of balance. Do you have spoked wheels? You'll know as soon as you spin it around. If it clicks, usually that is indicative of bad bearings.If you have drum front brakes, check that out as well. You won't know until you investigate! Good luck!

09-30-2008, 08:00 PM	#4
David 1 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,460	75 Suzuki That may be spokes. Prop up the front and spin the wheel. Some bikes have noisy brakes. Pull the caliper if you know how, then spin. If the noise is still there it may be bearing. Also hold the wheel at 2 sides and wiggle. Bad bearing will show looseness and wobble. But get it taken care of right away and don't ride it like that til it's fixed. dc

10-01-2008, 11:59 AM	#5
zeeple 1983 Honda FT500 Ascot, 1975 Suzuki TC100 Blazer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 131	Thanks for all the responses. I am thinking about trying to replace the bearings myself (if that is the problem). Does anyone know if this is something a novice mechie can pull off or is this something better left to the pros? The wheel definitely has spoke and I am guessing that they are warping the wheel. I am going to try my hand at truing the wheel too since there is no one in the Seattle area that does that as a service (at least that's what the Suzuki shop says). Unfortunately the bike doesn't have a center stand, so I am not sure how to get the front wheel off the ground yet.

10-01-2008, 12:06 PM	#6
zeeple 1983 Honda FT500 Ascot, 1975 Suzuki TC100 Blazer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 131	Another question. I can still order the bearings, so I am wondering which are the correct ones: 25-1: B1 12X32X10 BEA 25-2: B1 12X37X12 BEA I could take the current bearings out and measure them I guess but I am not sure if any of these numbers actually correspond to measurements.

10-01-2008, 12:26 PM	#7
Dan631 Paramedic Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Wynne, AR Posts: 870	Here in AR we have a bearing and supply store. See if you have something similar where you are. Take the bearing to them and they can measure it and match it. Wheel truing can turn into a real mess if you are not careful. You'll notice that your wheel has inside and outside spokes. Look at the hub and the spokes that lace from the inside out are "outside" spokes and the ones that lace from the outside in are the "inside" spokes. The outside spokes are the ones that pull the rim left or right. The inside spokes pull the rim up or down(they control the "hop"). Wheel truing isn't about tightening spokes. You may have to loosen some and tighten others to get the desired results.