shimano 'do not disassemble warning' - ignorable?

bluechair84

My BB is stiff. Must be why I'm so slow... maybe I should keep it that way so I've an excuse :roll:
I need to disassemble and regrease but should I head the warning? I'm fine with stipping down bearings and greasing them up. Done it to headsets and older BBs but not the shimano external ones.
Any idea why they put this warning here? Will it go back together again if I start prising it apart?

Andy!

well it sounds like it is knackered anyway. Might want to order a spare one just in case.

nicklouse

the bearings are replacable.

companies like BETD do a replacement service for example.

bluechair84

so... If I open it it's likely never to go back together? I'd rather repair than replace. Though I suppose if its stiff it's knackered... and knackering it by opening it doesn't really create any more problems.

I'm off to open it. See what goblins lay inside.

bluechair84

well i just learnt two things,

you most certainly can ignore the warning. load of tosh.
You can't melt lithium grease back into the bearings with your girlfriends hairdryer... Might have to try a homemade injection device using a straw.... and my mouth...

Andy!

which BB is it?

UncleMonty

The warning is there to make you pay another £20 / £30

I service mine although its an FSA, I just carefully lift off the seal, use lots of de-greaser and hot water to flush out all the gunge, leave to dry then pack with grease again. I think the seals are very poor, the first time i did this my BB was only a couple of months old yet full of dirt and water.

bluechair84

'tis an SLX HTII external BB.
Funnily enough, the non drive side was cacked and mucked inside but the driveside was near perfect... just wiped the seals, dropped a little more grease in and back on she went. It's lasted a year and it's a job I don't mind doing.