My 14 4rt rear wheel is really stiff when turning the wheel by hand , this is even if the chain is off the wheel has newish bearings in and everything is greased up well, when I just put the spindle through the wheel with out the brake caliper it spins freely, when I try the spindle through the caliper with out the wheel it spins freely but when I mount everything together how it should it's really stiff , anyone had this before or know where I'm going wrong??

1 hour ago, hgas said:

My 14 4rt rear wheel is really stiff when turning the wheel by hand , this is even if the chain is off the wheel has newish bearings in and everything is greased up well, when I just put the spindle through the wheel with out the brake caliper it spins freely, when I try the spindle through the caliper with out the wheel it spins freely but when I mount everything together how it should it's really stiff , anyone had this before or know where I'm going wrong??

Hard to say really mate. All I can think of is spacers in wrong place or wrong ones.

If you slacken the spindle nut a little does it free the wheel off?

Bent rotor?

Do the bearings actually turn freely with no lumpiness if you put your finger in where the spindle goes and turn ?

If not then the bearings are rotating around the spindle.

Could also be seized piston(s) in the caliper or no free play in the brake pedal. 

Bearings turn freely and I forgot to mention the pads are probably ready for changing so there's plenty of free play there , lineaway you could be right the spindle could be slightly bent maybe ?

If the spacer between the besrings has compressed slightly (I've known it happen) or has not been replaced when the bearings were changed then you will be putting a loading on the bearings when you tighten the nut on the spindle.

I think your right, I've just had another go this morning and I've noticed that it's fine until I tighten the wheel nut up , so what are you thinking fresh bearings and a new spacer in the wheel between the Bearings? 

At least compare the spacer with a new one.  Or it could be that the bearings have not been fully seated in the housing which would have a similar squeezing effect.  Try drifting them in a bit?

I'd put new bearings in as the're cheap as chips. You can check the spacer between the bearings at the same time to see that all is as it should be.

Edited July 23, 20179 yr by cangy1000
Added a bit more

Have you got each spacer on the correct side?

If all works well without the caliper fitted it may have a seized piston holding the pad on the disc. Push pads and pistons back in to free up.