Hub service

[Doyleyburger]

Last night I decided to give my front hub a service. As we are heading into spring / summer I thought it'd be a good idea to clean everything and regrease.
There was a slight rubbing noise coming from the hub before but having stripped down, cleaned and then packed everything back in with grease the noise seems worse and I have slight play in the bearing if I wiggle the wheel. If I tighten the bearings in anymore to stop the play then I haven't got a good smooth spin on the hub.
The grease I used is lithium based used for general automotive applications.
Perhaps the grease is unsuitable but it was what I had in the workshop and considered it to be good for the job ????
The bike is an early 2013 giant defy that has been ridden in all weathers so I'm now wondering if the bearings should be replaced rather than put back in ?
Trying to learn to do as much of my own maintenance as i can but I would appreciate any advice on this one please ....

 

[Cycleops]

It sounds as if the bearings have worn and maybe even the hubs. Unlikely that it's the latter with such a new bike so just try swapping out the bearings to start with.

 

[Doyleyburger]

Cheers @Cycleops
Any idea if the grease I used is suitable ?

 

[Cycleops]

The grease should be fine.

 

[accountantpete]

If you have the traditional cone/bearings combo

1) Lithium grease will be fine. Any grease will do.

2) I would replace the bearings as they only cost a few pennies.

3) The cone and the lock nut are tightened into each other to "lock" everything in place.

4) You set the bearings so that there is a small amount of movement - this is then removed by the tightening up of the QR.

 

[raleighnut]

Last night I decided to give my front hub a service. As we are heading into spring / summer I thought it'd be a good idea to clean everything and regrease.
There was a slight rubbing noise coming from the hub before but having stripped down, cleaned and then packed everything back in with grease the noise seems worse and I have slight play in the bearing if I wiggle the wheel. If I tighten the bearings in anymore to stop the play then I haven't got a good smooth spin on the hub.
The grease I used is lithium based used for general automotive applications.
Perhaps the grease is unsuitable but it was what I had in the workshop and considered it to be good for the job ????
The bike is an early 2013 giant defy that has been ridden in all weathers so I'm now wondering if the bearings should be replaced rather than put back in ?
Trying to learn to do as much of my own maintenance as i can but I would appreciate any advice on this one please ....

You may have left a piece of grit inside the hub housing strip it back down and clean thoroughly ideal tool "jetwash" (I seem to be mentioning this a lot maybe because I've been cleaning the patio with mine ) Then I would probably change the bearings over as well, only cost a couple of quid.

 

[Doyleyburger]

Thanks guys think I will replace the bearings then.
Rather than replace the balls, can I use a sealed bearing at all?
Please excuse my lack of knowledge

 

[accountantpete]

Thanks guys think I will replace the bearings then.
Rather than replace the balls, can I use a sealed bearing at all?
Please excuse my lack of knowledge

No - presuming you have cones and loose/caged bearings. The hub has a race that will accept contact with bearings whereas with sealed bearings that race is within the bearing shell and the outer shell just slots into the hub.