My rear hub...it's a worry....

[slowmotion]

Happy New year by the way.

I have a 2010 Specialized Secteur Elite. Last week I gave it a good clean with gentle suds and washed it off with a hosepipe. The hosepipe was never pointed at the bike sideways, just in line with the frame, but I was in a hurry and may have been a bit squirty. Anyway, before I replaced the chain after washing it down, I span the back wheel and there was a strange tinkling, tumbling sound, quite high pitched, and nothing like grinding "end of life" bearing balls. The noise had nothing to do with the position of the wheel. After riding it in the rain today, I span the back wheel again and the noise is getting louder.

What do you reckon? Did I remove too much grease from the bearings when I washed it? Whatever you say, I would be really grateful for a DIY solution.

Thank you.


Edit: actually, could I have just got the bearing compression wrong when I fixed the QR axle?

 

[swee'pea99]

The first thing I would do is check the bearings. Should only take 5 mins to remove wheel, unscrew a cone and check for grease in both sets of bearings. Then re-grease if necessary and reassemble. Very quick 'n easy. Definitely do it before riding again. Easy to put right, big damage quick if you have washed the grease out.

 

[slowmotion]

Thanks, SP.

 

[PpPete]

May not be the hubs. Check the spoke tensions are even on each side of the wheel.

 

[Pennine-Paul]

I've had the very same noises from my rear hub,regreased the bearings and set off and
things were no better,thoroughly cleaned out the cups and bearings and found the bearings on
one side of the hub were more like dice than spheres
Quick visit to halfrauds and some new bearings have transformed it
I'm now blasting up hills i was previously grunting up
Before it started making orrible noises you could'nt tell from spinning the wheel off the bike
that there was anything wrong.....hmmmm
must have been getting progressively worse over the months and I never noticed
Been thinking about upgrading to cartridge bearings on my next wheel
I've had the wheel I've got now just over a year probably done a good 2500 miles on it
Do cartridge bearings last any longer?????

 

[ianrauk]

If they are the original wheels that came with the bike then the bearings are sealed. The hubs are a bit of a bugger to get into rather then if they just had cup and cones.

 

[slowmotion]

I took the wheel off this morning and removed the cassette. Having fished out the rubber washer/seal on the drive side using a couple of pins, I wondered how to proceed. Zinn's book was a bit confusing. I think I should have undone the small grub screws on the outer spacers and slid them out, but I wasn't sure. I'm afraid I just squirted in some chain oil, put it back together and booked it in to the bike shop for a session later in the week.

So much for my DIY efforts. Thank you for your advice.

Edit: Thanks Ian....cross post! I dont feel quite so bad about running up the white flag after your comments.

 

[Nebulous]

I think I probably have the same wheels. They're on an allez - but I can't get into them either. I'm not sure the little hole actually has a grub screw in it - but I'm pretty sure the freehub and the bearings are all shot.I didn't record all my miles, but I reckon they've done about 4,000 in 14 months.

I've been pondering a deal from Merlin cycles for new wheels with two free tyres for a couple of days - and after seeing your post I've just hit the button. Not the fanciest of wheels - I had 10% off that price, but £6.50 for delivery. However the Shimanos at least have cones and loose bearings, so they will be easy to maintain.

 

[fossyant]

Cartridge bearings are a doddle to maintain - provided you know how to get to them. If they start to rumble, you replace the whole cartridge for less than £10 a wheel.

You effectively undo both side retaining nuts (how depends on make), and tap the axle out - this pops the drive side out, then carefully use either the axle or a similar dimension tube, and tap the other side out.

Refitting is similar and just takes mechanical sympathy if you don't have a bearing press

 

[slowmotion]

Cartridge bearings are a doddle to maintain - provided you know how to get to them. If they start to rumble, you replace the whole cartridge for less than £10 a wheel.

You effectively undo both side retaining nuts (how depends on make), and tap the axle out - this pops the drive side out, then carefully use either the axle or a similar dimension tube, and tap the other side out.

Refitting is similar and just takes mechanical sympathy if you don't have a bearing press

Thanks fossy. I took it to the bike shop and paid my money. They said that one of the cartridge bearings was shot to pieces, and they replaced it. I asked how I might do this myself next time. To their credit, they told me. Take off the two outer shaft collars with the small grub screws , one on each side of the wheel ( they are a slip fit), and knock the axle out towards the drive side of the wheel.

No idea what to do next, but I'm getting there...