Tightness of cones / crunchy bearings

shin0r

Hi

I fitted new disk brakes and rotors to my bike yesterday. Went out for a shakedown and my front wheel was rattling a bit, and had lateral movement across the hub. Got back and took the wheel off, one of the hub cones (hubs are shimano) was loose.

I tightened the cone and span the wheel; the rotation was "crunchy". So I loosened the cones slightly, tightened up the lock nut a bit and put the wheel back on. Now I have no lateral movement and no crunchiness.

However; should I be able to tighten the cone fully with no crunch when rotating the wheel? I was under the impression that the cone should be as tight as possible, and the bearings do all the work. I had a quick look at the bearings; they appear to be spherical and there is no detritus loose inside the hub. Should I replace the hub or is this "crunchiness" normal?

cheers

Sam

nicklouse

read the how to on park tools. No they should not be tight. it does sound like you need to clean and grease the bearings.

supersonic

I agree wuth nick, a strip and regrease is needed. Also you are way off on how to adjust the cones, you might have done more damage than good.

shin0r

Just followed the park tools guide, I wasn't far off. It's all going fine now!

cheers

Sam