Where is this play coming from?

[herbanshee]

Finally, we finshed up our first banshee stripping right down to the frame. Just need to put new chain and sprockects on and we're good-to-go! Im hoping to go riding this weekend on mine then re-doing it this winter. The first time I road it down the road I noticed quite a shake from the front left side. I parked it and checked the balljoints for play. I noticed the previous owner had a aftermarket nut on the lower A arm and with the bit of play I put 2 and 2 together and figured "well its probably the lower left A arm". Well I replaced that and the rim (which was bent) that helped a bit but still have the play. So if it just sitting there (tires on the floor) I can rock the tire back and forth a bit. It really looks like the play is coming from the bolt that connects the upper A arm to the frame??? Is this possible? What do you think it could be? Also the whell appears to be slightly toed in. Doesnt the control arm adjustment keep the tires equal or does it actually adjust the "plumbness" of the wheel. Im still learning............

 

Thanks!

 

Audrey

[dishman]

Finally, we finshed up our first banshee stripping right down to the frame. Just need to put new chain and sprockects on and we're good-to-go! Im hoping to go riding this weekend on mine then re-doing it this winter. The first time I road it down the road I noticed quite a shake from the front left side. I parked it and checked the balljoints for play. I noticed the previous owner had a aftermarket nut on the lower A arm and with the bit of play I put 2 and 2 together and figured "well its probably the lower left A arm". Well I replaced that and the rim (which was bent) that helped a bit but still have the play. So if it just sitting there (tires on the floor) I can rock the tire back and forth a bit. It really looks like the play is coming from the bolt that connects the upper A arm to the frame??? Is this possible? What do you think it could be? Also the whell appears to be slightly toed in. Doesnt the control arm adjustment keep the tires equal or does it actually adjust the "plumbness" of the wheel. Im still learning............

 

Thanks!

 

Audrey

Sounds like control arm bushings,or could be wheel bearings

Edited September 29, 2006 by dishman

[csrmel]

ive never had banshee wheel bearings out before so you can take this with a grain of salt.

 

are the front bearings able to be tightend similar to a car? if they are and youre bearings are really lose it would cause that play. take the front wheels and hubs off and have a look at the wheelbearings.

[CFM]

Jack the front end up, or put the whole bike on a stand. With no weight on the front end, you will be in a much better position to see where the play is....

 

If I had to guess, I would say it's the a-arm bushings. The wheel bearings are pressed into the hubs with a spacer inbetween the two and do not get their adjustment from the castle nut. If the bearings have side to side play, then it's the bearing itself that is worn out.

 

With a stock arm setup, the "plumbness" is not adjustable, toe-in is adjusted by the tie rod.