Sign of a bent axle?

[mr72]

Last night I pulled the front wheel to get the fender off for paint, and while removing the wheel I noticed something troubling.

With the nut off, you can turn the axle by the bolt head on the left hand side. When turning it, the wheel moves as if the axis is shifting. In other words, when I rotate the axle, the wheel kind of shifts, maybe at the tire it moves like 1/4" or less total left to right but it's noticeably moving. It really looks like the axle must not be straight. I can't figure any other reason this would happen.

FWIW the wheel was never binding and spins freely on the axle. Is this likely a bent axle? And if so, how bad is it for me to ride it a little bit until I can get a replacement?

Also, are the axles the same for all years 89-09?

Thanks!

[Big Rich]

The proper way to check is with v blocks and an indicator. But just rolling the axle on a flat surface (with the head hanging off the edge) will show you if it is bent or not.

[sledge]

Like this.

Maximum runout.... 0.075mm, thats 0.003" in old money.

[mr72]

Thanks guys. I'll try that. I have a dial indicator and may be able to press a bicycle wheel truing stand into service to hold the axle.

I ordered a replacement just in case.

[sledge]

Wheel truing stands are for trying wheels.

If you want accuracy and we are talking thousandths of an inch, hundredths of mm here use the recognised methods and kit. If you don't how will you know the figures are accurate?

Ideally you should use matched blocks that are finished ground as a pair and regularly calibrated........but that's not going to happen here.

[Watcher]

If you go to a machine shop they could probably measure it for you for a few bucks or a handshake.  If they don't have V blocks (which I'm sure they would) it'll take half a minute to do in a lathe...