Author Topic: Binding front wheel bearings (550K2) (Read 3467 times)

Gordon · « **on:** January 19, 2006, 09:31:43 AM »

So the other situation is my front wheel hub. At first I thought the front brake was sticking because it was very difficult to rotate the wheel, but after bleeding and adjusting the caliper and MC and verifying that everything was in working order, it turns out it's the hub itself that is causing the problem.

When the bottom fork brackets are snugged tightly around the front wheel axle, the wheel does not want to turn. When I loosen the brackets to the point that I don't feel it's especially safe to ride more than around the block, the wheel spins freely. The forks are set at the exact same position in the triple tree, and everything looks aligned, forks are not bent that I can tell.

Any thoughts?

TwoTired · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2006, 12:48:59 PM »

If I understand your description, you are saying that tightening front axle clamps adds some sort of preload or misalignment?

Have you removed the front wheel to check the clamp surfaces in the forks and the clamp caps for debris or damage?

Have you removed the front axle from the wheel to check for bends or other buggering?

Cheers,

Gordon · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2006, 01:07:41 PM »

No debris in the clamps and they appear to be undamaged. Have not removed the axle to check for problems, though. I suppose that's the next step, but since the weather has taken a turn for the worse it will be a few days before I get to it.

bryanj · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2006, 09:21:39 AM »

The clamps are oppset and need to be fitted facing the correct way, there is an arrow on them when new, also is spindle assembled to wheel correctly?

tgascon · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2006, 10:07:52 AM »

Bryan

Which way should the arrows point?

78 k550 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2006, 02:51:57 PM »

Quote from: bryanj on January 20, 2006, 09:21:39 AM

The clamps are oppset and need to be fitted facing the correct way, there is an arrow on them when new, also is spindle assembled to wheel correctly?

Never knew there where arrow's. I must have got lucky on the 3 I have changed. I'll have to check. Never had one bind but not close 100%.
Gordon,
I have another front setup if you want to bolt it up and check it out?

Paul

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2006, 03:00:49 PM »

Are these "arrows" specific to the 550? Please say yes.

BobbyR · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2006, 04:47:01 PM »

My 78 cb750 has arrows also

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2006, 05:18:42 PM »

Hmm, had them off my K0 several times and couldn't remember which came from which side so I looked pretty carefully. I didn't notice any difference but guess who is headed for the garage? $:-\$

clarkjh · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2006, 06:30:54 PM »

Just checked my forks, the only mark on the caps are a "F" couldn't find any other marks or arrows. 1974 CB550.

James

jtb · « **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2006, 07:09:01 PM »

Gordon, My 750F2 has the letter "F" cast on the clamps. According to the manual, it needs to face the front.

John

Gordon · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2006, 05:28:48 AM »

Well, I just went out to the garage all excited thinking this was going to solve the problem, switched the clamps around, and it didn't make any difference.

Damn, that socket wrench was cold! The problem seems like it has to be inside the hub, but what I don't understand is why it only happens when the clamps are tight? The axle isn't spinning in the clamps when I loosen them, so that's not it. Oh well, I have a couple of days off next week, so hopefully I can figure it out then.

bryanj · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2006, 12:12:56 PM »

Just pulled out the service bulletin from 10/70 and it says that if you look closely at the clamp you will find that one mating surface is markedly higher than the other and that face should be at the front and the front should be tightened up FIRST then the rear. This was reinforced later with the "F" mark and/or arrow. As to the wheel binding when the clamps are tightened there has to be some distortion somewhere causing a "rub" of something

jtb · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2006, 01:22:18 PM »

Gordon, check to make sure that your front axel is not bowed.

bhassell · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2006, 02:21:13 PM »

Have you removed the Brake Caliper completely to be sure you aren't just dragging the Brake Rotor? Seems too obvious, but did not see the question asked. Good luck!

Gordon · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2006, 02:49:18 PM »

Quote from: bhassell on January 21, 2006, 02:21:13 PM

Have you removed the Brake Caliper completely to be sure you aren't just dragging the Brake Rotor? Seems too obvious, but did not see the question asked. Good luck!

The brake caliper has been eliminated as the possible cause of the problem already. This whole thing is basically on hold, though, until at least Wednesday. I'll have to check that the axle isn't warped and everything else is aligned correctly.

Gordon · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2006, 07:33:17 PM »

So guess what? The axle was in backwards!!!!

That's it, nothing else!! Apparently when I had the new tires put on the guy removed the axle and then put it back opposite of how it should be. Never thought of it until tonight after spending a couple of hours removing, re-installing, checking, adjusting, re-packing bearings, and so on. I finally had the bright idea to look at the front wheel on my 750 just to see if there was anything I might be overlooking. BINGO!!

Ah well, at least that's one less mistake I'll ever make again!

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2006, 08:03:53 PM »

Congrats on finding it.

Gordon · « **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2006, 08:08:52 PM »

Thanks, Bob. Of course now that I solved that "problem" I can't get the damn thing to run right! It was doing fine two weeks ago, but now for some reason I can't even run it long enough to get around the block!

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #19 on:** January 29, 2006, 08:10:28 PM »

What's the behaviour like? Not that I would know what to do.

Gordon · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2006, 08:22:06 PM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on January 29, 2006, 08:10:28 PM

What's the behaviour like? Not that I would know what to do.

Eratic idle, won't keep running without constantly adjusting the choke, stops without warning. Still need to change the points and condensers and then synch the carbs. I never even adjusted the timing or point gaps before, because I just wanted to see if it would run, so I'm not really worried at this point.

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Author Topic: Binding front wheel bearings (550K2) (Read 3467 times)

tgascon

bhassell