wheel bearing maintance

[busdennis]

getting my giant defy ready for winter and wanted to regrease the wheel bearings as i have never touched them in the year i have owned the bike but the stock wheels have no cone nuts.

does this mean they are sealed units that require no maintance?

 

[BimblingBee]

Quite likely, however stripping axle down and cleaning can help prevent bearing shells/casings seizing.

 

[fossyant]

Not sure with stock Giant wheels, but check there aren't just rubber covers over the cones.

If sealed cartridge bearings, you just knock them out and replace. Cup and cone do need greasing.

 

[accountantpete]

If you do have sealed bearings then all you need to is take the axle off and pop your finger in the hole and turn the central metal ring - it should feel smooth.

 

[asterix]

If you do have sealed bearings then all you need to is take the axle off and pop your finger in the hole and turn the central metal ring - it should feel smooth.

Careful, you are verging on Fnaar's patch.

 

[the_mikey]

It's likely that the giant defy wheels have sealed cartridge bearings, they are unserviceable, so if the bearings feel rough or need a little bit of effort to turn them then the bearings need to be replaced.

Recently replaced the bearings in a set of Fulcrum racing 7 wheels, they were feeling a bit gritty, new bearings sourced and fitted and the wheels are smooth and spin well again.

I used 6001 2RS FAG bearings, your bearings may be different.

 

[migrantwing]

...or just pop the seals (carefully) with a thin, flat blade, clean out and re-grease. Did this with my wheel bearings and they're better than ever. If the balls are pitted/worn out or rusted, though, you may as well replace.