Loose Front Hub

Yarko · Post by **Yarko** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 7:55 pm

Hey guys and gals,
I've come to you from the land of sunshine for advice. I've noticed that my front hub (Vespa Sprint) moves a bit (few millimeters). It's noticeable when I'm idling and on the kickstand. Kind of a shuddering sound. I tried to tighten the big crown nut, the one with the splint, by tapping the crown with a flathead (I haven't the right socket here) and it's on tight. I predict that it's the other end of the axle which has come undone a bit. Here's the caveat: this is part of the front-end assembly I got last summer (more or less straight from India).

I still have the old fork in Edmonton and will extract the axle and bearings from that and have it shipped here.

From diagrams, I see that the other end of the axle has an axle retainer nut. I'll try to get my hands on the right sockets to unscrew the bearing retainer nut and screw the axle retainer a bit.

What do you guys think?

jbcollier · Post by **jbcollier** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 10:21 pm

A couple of millimetres of play is probably normal given Indian bearing quality. Keep an eye on it. If it gets worse, then investigate. Is there a Princess Auto nearby? They sell cheap sockets.

Yarko · Post by **Yarko** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 10:50 pm

There is indeed a Princess Auto here. I have a few spare bearings that fit from my raid on the Top Gear basement, so I can always pop those in if it comes to that. Thanks John, I'll keep an eye on it.

On an aside, another brake switch melted on me and another choke cable snapped. They love doing that. At least I stay busy.

redbike · Post by **redbike** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 4:15 pm

Well, it is a Ve$p@. You might wanna trade up to a more reliable ride...

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 7:12 pm

Johnny Redbike is right, of course -- and of course I am sure he means a more reliable ride, like a Japanese scooter!!!

redbike · Post by **redbike** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:07 pm

I guffaw, sir, at your intemperate remark!

Yarko · Post by **Yarko** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 12:39 am

Just an update, I tried to tighten up the bearing retainer nut and it was on solid. Now that I have a few larger sockets, I can try the main crown nut again. Not too worried and if it doesn't budge, I won't push it.

On an aside, this is on sale:

http://www.probikekit.ca/bicycle-tools- ... 72612.html