How to Open an Ambrosio Front Hub

[HLaB]

I've borrowed a front Ambrosio hub of a mate, I've ended up borrowing it longer than I meant too With me its done circa 1150miles since I borrowed it at the start of Jan. Its performed particularly well and I had been impressed. With cleaning (babywipes) and polishing (nothing other than a cloth), the same as I've treated every wheel before and its been spinning almost indefinitely when in the stand. I had a particularly wet salty ride on Saturday but after cleaning it performed well once more almost spinning indefinitely again. It then got another exposure on Sunday to the salt/ wet roads, after which it got cleaned again and again spun almost indefinitely. It didn't get used yesterday and this morning when I woke up it was almost solid. How do I open up Ambrosio Hubs to look ? And if need be where can I source new cartridge bearings (I can't see anything on the net but I'm probably looking in the wrong place ).

 

[Theseus]

A simple google brings up plenty of suppliers ... e.g. this lot. I can't remember if it was them I got my last set from, but any supplier will do and they appear to have OK feedback.

Take out the old bearings and measure a few key dimension (inside diameter, outside diameter, width) to specify the correct ones. You probably need to get ones with a plastic or metal shield to protect the ball race.

When I replaced mine, I took the old ones out by supporting the hub shell so the axle was vertical and tapping the top end of the axle the ease the lower side out. Turn over and repeat. To put back in I used a couple of large washers and the track nuts to gently press it all back together. Mind you I was doing this on a solid axled hub with track nuts. Not sure how to do it on a hollow axle with QR.

 

[brockers]

Ambrosio hubs are, AFAIK badged-up Novatecs, stripped of the paint. Take a look here, especially at the exploded diagram of the A171SB and see if any of that looks familiar. Harry Rowland or other wheelbuilders use Ambrosios, so it might be worth giving them a bell to see if they can supply you, or point you in the direction of new bearings.

 

[accountantpete]

I'd start by seeing if the ends (where the QR skewer goes through) accept a hex bolt. If so - a turn anticlockwise with a hex bolt in each end should do the trick.

 

[HLaB]

Ambrosio hubs are, AFAIK badged-up Novatecs, stripped of the paint. Take a look here, especially at the exploded diagram of the A171SB and see if any of that looks familiar. Harry Rowland or other wheelbuilders use Ambrosios, so it might be worth giving them a bell to see if they can supply you, or point you in the direction of new bearings.

Thanks that looks exactly like it, I'll try and take the lock nut out tomorrow (today insomnia pah) and hopefully the rest of it'll come apart then.

 

[snorri]

HLaB, Ambrosia hubs have no serviceable bearings, they are packed for life with creamed rice.


IGMC

 

[HLaB]

HLaB, Ambrosia hubs have no serviceable bearings, they are packed for life with creamed rice.


IGMC

LOL

 

[HLaB]

I couldn't get the hub open but given its only borrowed, I was probably too gentle with it; but I think I've probably marginally loosened it and it seem to be running better now spinning near perpetually and when it eventually slows down, rotates backwards :-)

 

[fossyant]

If they are like Formula and cartridge, you can pull them apart. Remove locknuts from one side, then you'll need to tap the axel through to the other (hammer) - this pops the other bearing out - this can wreck the bearings though if not careful. You'll then need to tap the other out.