John, I know it's impossible to put into words how much play you are experiencing, but if it helps at all many cartridge bearing hub with radial type bearings exhibit a small amount of lateral play. It's not enough to notice when riding or braking, only when you're off the bike and wiggle the rim. Radial type cartridges are preloaded and nonadjustable. While I see WI shows the end being adjustable, other that to snug up the end I don't see any other benefit to it. If the bearings were angular contact type then yes it could be adjusted. As I was writing this I was curious, and sure, that someone has replaced their outermost radial bearings with AC type, and sure enough I found this thread : https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/1074471-swap-radial-cartridge-angular-contact-bearings.html
The relevant reply after many "whys and no you can'ts" from people who have not done it, is #15 ... and watch the video contained in reply #19 for a brief on the differences between radial and AC cartridge bearings. *Thanks* *I posed this question to my wheel builder, Jude at Sugar, and here is what she said about using AC bearings with my White T11 hub:* *Yes, it would be ideal to have angular contact bearings as the outermost bearings in the hub. White Industries doesn't do this as a stock option because it's a lot of bearings for them to manage in inventory. But, as we replace bearings here, we use angular contact bearings which will require an adjustment.* *Then I asked about the preload issue and her response was:* *The locking collar on the non-drive side is actually an adjusting collar.* * So you'll lock down the collar just until the play disappears which is much like doing the bearing adjustment but you will have to be aware of any play in your wheel.So I guess its possible but not clear why its ideal on the outermost bearings.* <https://www.bikeforums.net/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=20665945> The answer to "why" would be longevity of the bearings and the ability to remove any play. You just have to be aware of your preload, like on loose ball hubs. Yay ! On Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 1:28:17 AM UTC-5 John Rinker wrote: > Garth and Jeffrey, > > Thank you very much for your kind replies. Yes, this was my first course > of action when the problem first arose, and while WI contacts at the time > were attentive and wished to help, I recall we didn't really come to a > solution. I do have a conversation in the wings with another knowledgeable > fellow, so I'll see where this one takes me. I contact WI again if > necessary. > > S.Greco, I'll keep you informed should my issue be resolved. > > Cheers, > John > > On Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 10:47:39 PM UTC+9 S. Greco wrote: > >> I have this same issue with one of my M15 hubs. Please post if you get a >> solid answer. >> My LBS recommended new bearings which I bought and installed, but it did >> not fix the issue. >> >> On Monday, January 24, 2022 at 9:33:29 PM UTC-5 Jeffrey Arita wrote: >> >>> John, >>> >>> As Garth advises, I too would reach out to White Industries. I had a >>> question regarding a rear hub awhile ago and they were very helpful. >>> Speaking on the phone in a two-way is, IMHO, always better. They might >>> need to eventually inspect the hub, so that might happen. Either way, WI >>> has been outstanding, at least for me. Good luck. >>> >>> Best regards, >>> >>> Jeff >>> Claremont, CA >>> >>> On Sunday, January 23, 2022 at 3:07:46 PM UTC-8 John Rinker wrote: >>> >>>> Please pardon if this is not the forum for this and kindly redirect me >>>> if possible. >>>> >>>> The rear wheel of my Hunq finds a White M15 that is about 4 or so years >>>> old at its center. Several years ago it developed a bit of play and I >>>> haven't been able to solve the issue. I have adjusted it meticulously >>>> according to White's specifications, but the play resurfaces after a few >>>> kilometers of riding. >>>> >>>> I. have a. new set of bearings for the hub, but before I replace them I >>>> thought I'd reach out to see if anyone might offer a simpler fix. >>>> >>>> CHeers, >>>> John >>>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/8e0eee71-cebc-4843-b0dd-52095b722e8cn%40googlegroups.com.