Regreasing BB30 bottom bracket

[MrGrumpy]

Ok not started this yet but the time will come where I will need to give this a wee overhaul. Any potential problems or is it a case of unscrew the cranks, remove both crank arm and spindle and clean. Before adding some light grease to the bearing surfaces ?

 

[GrasB]

Sounds about right but make sure you know the torque setting for the cranks & have a reasonably accurate torque wrench.

 

[Smurfy]

It's a sealed bearing isn't it? What do you gain by taking it apart, unless the bearings need replacing.

 

[MrGrumpy]

Just wanted to make sure there was grease on interface between surfaces, I do much the same with the headset bearings on my bikes even though they are sealed bearings. Stops things seizing up ?

 

[GrasB]

It's a sealed bearing isn't it? What do you gain by taking it apart, unless the bearings need replacing.

Separate the them which breaks any oxidisation between the parts & apply a thin layer of grease to help prevent this in the future. This way you don't end up trying to take out the BB30 bearings with the cranks if they need to be separated at some point.

 

[tincaman]

Definately worth pinging the seals off and see how much grease is in there too. I use loctite 641 retaining compound for assembly which I found in our COSHH cabinet, its coats the bearing outer surfaces but still lets you disassemble easily, you may still use the same stuff where you are?

 

[MrGrumpy]

Yep got some if that in our cupboard.

 

[02GF74]

It's a sealed bearing isn't it? What do you gain by taking it apart, unless the bearings need replacing.

sealed bearing are a double edged sword - the seals keep water out but once water gets it, the seals keep it in,... and yes, it does happen, rather too easily.

so worth prising the seals off with a small jewellers screwdriver, and repacking with grease. In cases where corrison has occured, wash th bearing out with paraffin then repack. I have successfully rejuvenated trashed bearing (Roval wheels and BB30) but not always successful.

 

[NormanD]

Clean out your bearings (the bearing seal comes off easy) and pack them with some of THIS (advised by a Edinburgh co op mechanic) I did this two years ago and my bearings have been silky smooth ever since, I did stripped down and check the bearings last week and they are still as good as the day I packed them, so no need to re-grease them .. it really is great grease

 

[John the Canuck]

^^^^^^ Norman

also highly regarded
Rock and Roll Web Bearing Grease

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/rock-n-roll/super-web-grease-4oz-ec037201

using it in all my hubs, BB, headset etc