Caged BB bearings

[chillyuk]

I am giving my bike a thorough grease up.

The bottom bracket has caged bearings. Which way round do they go back, flat face of the cage against the cup or the axle cone? I cannot find a definitive answer online anywhere, and I didn't notice when I took them out.

While having it out I have measured up to order a sealed unit so that is why I am not bothering to walk a mile to the LBS for ball bearings, and as he is also a car parts shop I exepect he will only have caged ones anyway!

Thanks for any advice.

 

[tyred]

Take one cup in your hand and set the cage into it. If it turns freely without catching, put the spindle in and try and rotate. It should be reasonably obvious when you study the parts. If it's the type of cage I'm thinking on, it should have a sort of flat side which should not face the cup as it would catch on them. this will expose the inside of the balls which will then run on the cone of the spindle.

Personally, I'd throw the cage away and replace with loose bearings. It will last longer. A good thick grease will hold everything in position until you re-assemble. I'd expect it to take 11 1/4" balls on each side.

 

[chillyuk]

Thanks Tyred. I did find some photographs which showed the flat side of the cage against the spindle, which is the way you say.

I agree about throwing the cage away and fitting balls, which is what I would normally do, but as it is only for a few days before the sealed unit arrives it hardly seems worth it!