Front Hub Freeing itself??

[Trekrider]

Hi, I put new tyres on my toad bike this week and noticed that the front wheel was not running freely but there was no sideways play.
In advance of getting it checked out I want for a ride this morning and a mile or so in there was a “squeal” from the hub. It only lasted maybe 3 seconds as I was climbing.
I stopped and the front wheel was still not running freely.
This afternoon I checked the wheel and it was running completely freely!!
Can anyone explain?
Should I still get it checked out?
I’m asking because I have an organised ride next Sunday and don’t want any nasty surprises
Thanks for reading

[531colin]

If you can't identify the fault yourself, then yes, you need to get it checked by somebody who can.

disc brakes or rim brakes?

Quick release or through axle?

cup and cone bearings or "sealed bearings"?

[Trekrider]

Rim brakes
Quick release
Re bearings, not sure. How can I tell?

[gaz]

In order of preferene for identifying the hub bearings.

Post a picture of the hub, identifying details and manufacturing markings.
Post the brand/model of the hub.
Post the make, model and year of manufacture of the bike to enable a search for a specification list with the above info.

[Brucey]

nearly all QR hubs are sensitive to applied QR pressure. The practical upshot of this is that if you want to know how the hub bearings really are when the QR is tight and the wheel is in the bike, you need to tighten the QR on something, eg a stack of M10 washers as dummy dropouts.

[mig]

a squeal sounds like the tyre rubbing against something rather than a noise that a hub would readily make.

possible that the front wheel was installed slightly out of line? and has since gone fully home into the dropouts?

[peetee]

It’s possible the front hub bearings were too tight. This can cause severe wear which, in terms of free movement of the hub, is not a linear process because the way in which those bearing surfaces deteriorate is not predictable. They can, for example, grind away at each other creating free play but just as easily the bearings may break apart and obstruct or halt the hub rotating permanently or momentarily.
I suspect the latter has happened to your front hub and the services of a bike mechanic are required.

[Trekrider]

Bike sorted. New bearings fitted.
The mechanic suggested the noise may have been the corroded bearings moving.
Had back wheel checked too and bearings replaced as required.
Thanks all

[Jdsk]

Thanks for adding the answer.

Jonathan