Wheel Bearings

gary.hounsome

Hi all, i recently had to cut short a ride as the bearings on my front shimano wheel were making a racket.

I have took the old bearings out and replaced with new and greased up, now i need to adjust them so a little play is felt however at the moment having only initially put it all back together when i spin the wheel whilst holding the axle i can feel a rough grinding.

When i now think about it i did notice slight indents in the cones where the bearings sit.
I understand this could be pitting and could be a problem? Is it likely this why they are grinding?

majormantra

Yes. Once the cones are pitted or scored the hub will never run smoothly. Doesn't mean you can't keep using it, the actual drag is small in the scheme of things.

Replacement cones can be bought but for cheaper hubs it's often not very economical.

buckles

Get a Weldtite QR axle & cone set, £8, job done

freddiegrubb

Re. weldtite gubbins, any more info. available ?

buckles

They sell them at my LBS and at Ev*ns, that's all the info I have...

freddiegrubb

Thanks for the prompt reply , I will go on the evan's w/site for more info. I like to store this kind of info. in the head for future ref.

munzy

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Weldtite-Holl ... 2a2e935d00

and front:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Weldtite-Holl ... 27c4f0a0e7

cycleclinic

Weldite is rubbish please do not use this stuff. The cones are not that hard or even smooth enough. certainly not up to Shimano standards. The best axles apart from Shimano are Wheels Manufacturing they have rolled threads and made from steel that is unliekly to break. Wheels Manuafcturing cones are Dura Ace standard, none of this is cheap but you get what you pay for. I would not put Weldite into the cheapest hub let alone something half decent. For Cup and cone hubs good quality cones and grade 10 balls really do make the hubs last longer with reduced chance of pitting the shell. Also you do need ideally a cone that has the same profile as the originals, wheels manufacturing make a very large range of cones.

gary.hounsome

Thanks for the replys, i think id better change the cones as well then!

buckles

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-whee ... s-dept856/ <--- Shimano axle assemblies available here

gary.hounsome

thanks buckles, cant see a R500 front axle set there, have found it on madison but not available, they do have RS10 though would that be compatible with my R500 front? they are both 108mm

pinno

The thing about wheel bearings is that you have to get everything pristine clean before assembly.
The kitchen is a great place to do it. I tiny bit of swarf or contaminent can wreck both bearings and cones. The other key point is not to over stress the tension of the bearings nor under stress it. There should be no play but at the same time, it should feel free and spin easy. Examine the cones with a magnifying glass for pitting, uneven wear and deep grooves. Take your time.

I have noticed many a time people with the lid of a grease pot whilst doing any sort of work, which is a magnet for dust and debris.