Ultegra rear hub - repairable?

[Twizit]

I've got an ultegra wheelset on my "nicer" road bike. Rear wheel has been serviced once before by my LBS when the cones were a little lose and it had a small wobble (I know, I should learn how to service cones / true up a wheel myself - just haven't got around to learning that bit yet!). When they tightened up the cones they did note that some of them looked a little pitted and might cause a problem in future. Sure enough, when freewheeling it now sounds like the bearings are shot and rubbing in places.

Question being, can I get the bearings replaced in an Ultegra hub, or am I looking at a full new hub? Guess it also depends whether the bearing races are damaged too?

Clearly I'll ask with the LBS, but nice to go into them forearmed with a little knowledge....

 

[HLaB]

If its a cup and cone arrangement the ball bearings can indeed be replaced which will make a difference in the shorter term. However if there is pitting to the cups & cones they will need replaced too or the new bb''s will quickly deteriorate. Ball bearings are easy to get hold of I'm unsure about cups & cones but I last looked for a shimano copy, maybe there is more certainty regarding yours.

 

[accountantpete]

Check on the bearings as it might be something else.

Take the wheel off and remove the QR. Then take hold of one end of the axle at a time and turn it whilst pressing down.

If it feels rough then it is indeed the hub.

The cones can be replaced but it is a big job if the cups are pitted. With the price of some cones these days it might be worth replacing the hub completely.

 

[YahudaMoon]

As up thread says

New bearings in a worn out hub will never be correct if the hub / cone has worn beyond repair. Fitting new bearings will never fit correctly. Your best bet is keep the old bearings in and use the wheel as a spare / shop bike, whatever >>>>>>>>> if it is worn bearings ?

Park tool do a excellent example here on cone / hub wear replacement ideas using a ball point pen

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/hub-overhaul-and-adjustment

 

[Twizit]

Thanks for the replies. Guess it's into the LBS and see what they say. Sounding like a new hub job though....

 

[Tim Hall]

No, from the description the LBS gave:

When they tightened up the cones they did note that some of them looked a little pitted and might cause a problem in future.

Just the cones will need replacing. They'll be relatively inexpensive, like a tenner or so for proper Shimano ones. If you go to the Shimano website and drill down to techdocs, you should be able to find the model of the hub (confusingly Shimano have numbers as well as names for their parts, so knowing it's a Ultegra hub isn't enough. Then look at, for example, St John Street Cycles, hub spares to find the particular cones you need. Or get your LBS to source them. It's not a difficult process and quite satisfying to get right.

 

[Twizit]

Thanks Tim, just the response I needed! Will be chatting to the lbs at the weekend.

 

[cycledane]

My rear wheel has the same problem: there is a slight crunching noise/grinding when the wheel turns. Also, it has a slight give side to side. It is an Ultegra hub. Could advise exactly which part to order. I am not that experienced - but once I have the part, I am convinced I can find a way to replace the bit that is faulty

 

[cycledane]

No, from the description the LBS gave:



Just the cones will need replacing. They'll be relatively inexpensive, like a tenner or so for proper Shimano ones. If you go to the Shimano website and drill down to techdocs, you should be able to find the model of the hub (confusingly Shimano have numbers as well as names for their parts, so knowing it's a Ultegra hub isn't enough. Then look at, for example, St John Street Cycles, hub spares to find the particular cones you need. Or get your LBS to source them. It's not a difficult process and quite satisfying to get right.

I have this problem too, please see above - I can't figure out where to get the part(s) I need

 

[PpPete]

You need the number of the hub, not just the name.
FH-6500, FH-6600, FH-6700 are the most recent ones.
Then go to the Tech Docs bit of the Shimano website to get a drawing with part numbers of all the components.