Brompton front wheel poor bearings

[Tinpotflowers]

Was servicing a three speed Brompton today age is about 15 to 20 years old.

Noted that the front bearing was slack with side play.

I attempted to adjust but it was either a case of the bearing being gritty or with side play.
I assume that the bearing is shot, but I do note many new Brompton bearing on the front are often adjusted poorly and that it is difficult to rotate the spindle by hand when out of the frame.
NB the front wheel is the old original type
https://www.google.com/search?q=brompto ... WRIec-_qbM

[Brucey]

similar criticisms could be levelled at many cup and cone hubs.

If you want to know if it has really worn out (rather than just dirty) you need to take it apart and perhaps take some photos.

cheers

[Tinpotflowers]

similar criticisms could be levelled at many cup and cone hubs.

If you want to know if it has really worn out (rather than just dirty) you need to take it apart and perhaps take some photos.

cheers

What type and size of bearing would be required as replacement?

[Brucey]

IIRC 3/16" balls would be the most common sort in a front hub, but you won't know for sure until you get it apart.

cheers

[Gattonero]

Was servicing a three speed Brompton today age is about 15 to 20 years old.

Noted that the front bearing was slack with side play.

I attempted to adjust but it was either a case of the bearing being gritty or with side play.
I assume that the bearing is shot, but I do note many new Brompton bearing on the front are often adjusted poorly and that it is difficult to rotate the spindle by hand when out of the frame.
NB the front wheel is the old original type
https://www.google.com/search?q=brompto ... WRIec-_qbM

If the bike is about 20years old the hub is like the current "standard" one, very old Brommies would have a 3-piece steel front hub (and steel rear Sturmey, for that matter). All of them, except the "superlight" front hub that ruins on cartridge bearings, would use 3/16" ball bearings.
Annoyingly, those hubs they are like many other industrial grade hubs: set way too tight from the factory! So you may have the cones that need replacing too, and those can be found in some shops (they are for 5/16", or 7.9mm, axle) so you will need to search around.

Had the hub been properly adjusted, it would have lasted forever, I've seen many that passed the two decades of daily use and still been good.