Bearing Cones

[Stephen C]

While carrying out my annual Autumn strip down ready for winter, I noticed that the cones on the bearings were showing some wear (the hub bearing surface was fine). The LBS said that I would have to buy a complete new axle, but they didn't have any Q/R ones. I then decided that I will just upgrade the whole wheel after the winter, but in recent weeks, the front wheel isn't sounding good and I don't think it will last.

Is it possible to buy new cones?

 

[Tim Hall]

Yes. They're all a bit different, mostly due to extra fiddly bits for weather seals and so on. I've had good results with St John Street Cycles in the past - they have eye numbing pages of lots of different ones.

 

[Stephen C]

Thanks for that, looks like I have a fun evening ahead of me!

 

[numbnuts]

When I couldn't buy the cones on there own, I bought the whole hub and just used the cones and bearings

 

[02GF74]

yes you can buy cones. unless you are buying the exact same make, then best take the axle to the shop to ensure the cones fit on the axle. I had several old cones and axles and although they looked identical but would not fit.

 

[Stephen C]

Thanks all for the advice, I stripped it last night and I think the whole axle needs replacing, the whole of one bearing has rusted (not sure how as it was properly greased) so going to give this a try, although I'm not sure of the caged bearings.

 

[fossyant]

That axel and cones has no seals, so expect it to last about 5 minutes in 'weather'. You are chucking £7.99 in the bin.

What wheel/hub is it ?

 

[Stephen C]

That axel and cones has no seals, so expect it to last about 5 minutes in 'weather'. You are chucking £7.99 in the bin.

What wheel/hub is it ?

It's a stock wheel I got with the bike, Joytech hub, I'm surprised it has lasted this long (5000 miles) as it has no seal on it either, just a rubber ring that fits around the locking nut that I pack with a bit of grease. The Halfords axle looks to be a direct replacement.

I only really need it to last the winter before a major overhaul in the spring, so 5 mins might be enough!

 

[fossyant]

Give it a go, but at least try and re-use the seal.

Your other option is to buy a new hub, and strip it. Might not be much more money. I bought a Deore hub just for the freehub part, worked out half the price ?

 

[Stephen C]

It was a cheap bike and the wheels are cheap (already knackered the rear) so a new hub really isn't worth it as I am saving to upgrade the wheels next year, just wanted to get the winter out of the way and possibly keep these wheels as a spare/winter set.

 

[Stephen C]

Fitted the new axle, runs a lot better now, tried to seal it as best I could, hopefully it will get me through the worst of the winter!