Hub bearing replacement
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
There is a good chance the hub's race may be damaged - it's either replace bearings, and cone (if you can get spares) and live with it grumbling, or a new hub. If it's just the cone that's rough, then you are quids in......
What hub is it - as for bearing size - not sure, but most rear hubs use the same size - someone will be along.
What hub is it - as for bearing size - not sure, but most rear hubs use the same size - someone will be along.
Mr Pig
New Member
- Location
- North Lanarkshire
The cups in the hubs are pretty tough so you might be ok. The cones are usually softer metal and get chewed up first.
Take the wheel off and remove the quick release skewer.
Undo the nut on the non-gear side and screw it off. Remove the washer and screw off the cone, as you screw the cone out you'll feel the threaded spindle come loose.
Pull the spindle out from the gear side looking out for ball bearings stuck to grease on the cones and spindle.
Use a small magnetic pen/tool to pull out all of the ball bearings. Count the balls in each side. Clean the balls, cones and insides of the hub with rags and white spirit or de-greaser.
Inspect the cones and hub cups for damage. A smooth track where the balls run is fine but chips or cracks are bad. Balls should be perfect.
Any damage to the balls, replace them.
Any damage to the cones, replace them.
Any damage to the cups and you have a choice!
Damaged cups mean that you'll need to replace the whole hub. However, as the hubs are already damaged, there is no harm in continuing to use them. If you fit new balls and grease the hub might run ok for a good while yet. It's days are numbered but a good clean etc might give you bit more life out of it.
To reassemble, pack the cups with grease and push the balls into it.
When you put the cones and nuts back on you want to lock them up so that you can feel a tiny amount of play. The quick release tightens the cones slightly which takes the play up.
With the wheel tightened onto the bike, rock the wheel from side to side and feel for any play. Also let the wheel spin round, it should be very free and smooth with no roughness or sticking. If the wheel isn't right remove it from the bike and ajust the cone again.
If you need new ball bearings you can get them for a few pounds from any bike shop. Just take the old ones with you and they'll give you the right size.
Take the wheel off and remove the quick release skewer.
Undo the nut on the non-gear side and screw it off. Remove the washer and screw off the cone, as you screw the cone out you'll feel the threaded spindle come loose.
Pull the spindle out from the gear side looking out for ball bearings stuck to grease on the cones and spindle.
Use a small magnetic pen/tool to pull out all of the ball bearings. Count the balls in each side. Clean the balls, cones and insides of the hub with rags and white spirit or de-greaser.
Inspect the cones and hub cups for damage. A smooth track where the balls run is fine but chips or cracks are bad. Balls should be perfect.
Any damage to the balls, replace them.
Any damage to the cones, replace them.
Any damage to the cups and you have a choice!
Damaged cups mean that you'll need to replace the whole hub. However, as the hubs are already damaged, there is no harm in continuing to use them. If you fit new balls and grease the hub might run ok for a good while yet. It's days are numbered but a good clean etc might give you bit more life out of it.
To reassemble, pack the cups with grease and push the balls into it.
When you put the cones and nuts back on you want to lock them up so that you can feel a tiny amount of play. The quick release tightens the cones slightly which takes the play up.
With the wheel tightened onto the bike, rock the wheel from side to side and feel for any play. Also let the wheel spin round, it should be very free and smooth with no roughness or sticking. If the wheel isn't right remove it from the bike and ajust the cone again.
If you need new ball bearings you can get them for a few pounds from any bike shop. Just take the old ones with you and they'll give you the right size.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Wot he said ^..couldn't be arsed typing that lot...
Mr Pig
New Member
- Location
- North Lanarkshire
fossyant said:
Neither could I but I thought someone had to ;0)
Wasn't until I'd finished that I realised there are already better guides on the net telling you exactly the same thing! Duh...
02GF74
Über Member
Mr Pig said:
that is not the whole reason.
the cone race is much shorter in lenght than the race in the cup, also the cone does not move* hence the wear, due to gravity bearing (no pun intended) down on a very narrow section, wears it in one place.
* it is a good idea to once in a while to rotate spiinlel to even out the wear, not that I do that ofcourse, unless I p*tyre and chances are it is in a different orientation.
Landslide
Rare Migrant
- Location
- Called to the bar
If you've loose balls (oo-er!), they're almost certainly 1/4" for the rear hub.
Landslide
Rare Migrant
- Location
- Called to the bar
I'm sure I've ridden worse...
On closer inspection it seems to be buggered. The ball bearings on the drive side have come up lovely and shiny, and the faces inside are fine. But on the non-drive side the balls are pitted and dull, and the cup looks like this-
So it looks like I'll be down to the LBS on Saturday with the bits for them to sort out.
Let this be the lesson for the week -check your hubs more often.
yer 'ub's fooked!
Mr Pig
New Member
- Location
- North Lanarkshire
Landslide said:
Me too ;0) I'd greese em up and travel on. Why not, they're already gubbed!
02GF74
Über Member
if that is surface rust, then polish with some fine wet 'n'dry 600 grade.
if they are pitted then bin.
the sruface will be hardened, once that is worn, the races disintegrate pretty quickly.
as ^^^ said, new ball bearings, about a £ 1, some grease, fit it together and see how it goes.
if they are pitted then bin.
the sruface will be hardened, once that is worn, the races disintegrate pretty quickly.
as ^^^ said, new ball bearings, about a £ 1, some grease, fit it together and see how it goes.
kyuss said:
+1. Just looks a little tarnished.
Are you sure this hub hasn't been out in the rain?
Assemble the cone on the axle and lock it with a nut. Load the bearings in the cup with a tiny bit of Duraglit ( Brasso ).
Spin the cone and balls in the cup with a drill for a couple of minutes.
Clean thoroughly and inspect for pitting.
No pitting - its OK.
