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Worth replacing cones?

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Old 07-27-18, 08:14 AM
  #1  
MoAlpha
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Worth replacing cones?

Hi,

I can't get the Deore front hub on my commuter adjusted to run free without excessive slop and I assume it is trashed. The best I can do is intermittent binding and an annoying click. I have no desire to replace it and I haven't cleaned it out for a real inspection. However, the cones are cheap and my question is would it be worth ordering and replacing them on the theory that the races aren't completely buggered?

Thanks.
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Old 07-27-18, 08:52 AM
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dsbrantjr
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Originally Posted by MoAlpha
...I haven't cleaned it out for a real inspection.
This would be my first step. You are going to have to open it up eventually.
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Old 07-27-18, 09:21 AM
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The races are as likely as the cones to be completely buggered.
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Old 07-27-18, 09:55 AM
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Dave Mayer
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It takes 5 minutes to pull a front Shimano hub apart for a peek. The total operation of replacing the cones and balls, relubing and reassembly takes about 15.

it takes an extraordinary amount of abuse and neglect to kill the cups pressed into Shimano hubs. The cones and balls go well before this.
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Old 07-27-18, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by nfmisso
The races are as likely as the cones to be completely buggered.
In my experience, the order of pitting goes: balls, cones, cups (i.e. races). I've seen cups remain in tact with pitted cones. Of course, if one waits long enough, cups get pitted as well - eventually.
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Old 07-27-18, 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Slaninar
In my experience, the order of pitting goes: balls, cones, cups (i.e. races). I've seen cups remain in tact with pitted cones. Of course, if one waits long enough, cups get pitted as well - eventually.
Oh yeah, the balls. Thanks.
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Old 07-27-18, 11:20 AM
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Bill Kapaun
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Maybe you have a bent axle?
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Old 07-27-18, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
Maybe you have a bent axle?
Would be surprised, given my diminutive weight and the way the bike is used, but I have to admit it's possible. I will take it out and roll it around a bit.
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Old 07-27-18, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by MoAlpha
Hi,

I can't get the Deore front hub on my commuter adjusted to run free without excessive slop and I assume it is trashed. The best I can do is intermittent binding and an annoying click. I have no desire to replace it and I haven't cleaned it out for a real inspection. However, the cones are cheap and my question is would it be worth ordering and replacing them on the theory that the races aren't completely buggered?

Thanks.
So the question is "is it worth it to order a new set of cones to avoid cleaning and inspecting the ones you have?" Apparently the answer is "yes."
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Old 07-27-18, 08:31 PM
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Open it up and clean it and inspect it. If the cups are pitted the hub is shot. The cones and bass can be replaced. If you do regular maintenance the hub will outlast the rim.
I overhaul mine every 2500 miles.
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Old 07-28-18, 02:18 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by MoAlpha
Would be surprised, given my diminutive weight and the way the bike is used, but I have to admit it's possible. I will take it out and roll it around a bit.
Also check the dustcaps. They can lead to similar symptoms if distorted or not seated properly. Specially if they are metal.
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Old 07-28-18, 02:24 AM
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Originally Posted by nfmisso
The races are as likely as the cones to be completely buggered.
I'm not so sure about that. In my admittedly very limited experience working on hubs, cones tend to take more wear.
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Old 07-28-18, 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by MoAlpha
Hi,

I can't get the Deore front hub on my commuter adjusted to run free without excessive slop and I assume it is trashed. The best I can do is intermittent binding and an annoying click. I have no desire to replace it and I haven't cleaned it out for a real inspection. However, the cones are cheap and my question is would it be worth ordering and replacing them on the theory that the races aren't completely buggered?

Thanks.
So you don't service the hub and don't look... but that doesn't stop you from asking here because someone even more remote from seeing what is going on could tell you?
my advice is to service the hub and replace the ball bearings and see how it goes. while at it, inspect the cones and races.

Of course you also can buy cones for $20 a piece and then what, you still don't clean the and inspect and install them in old and dirty grease?
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Old 07-29-18, 11:29 AM
  #14  
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Any chance the number of bearing balls in one or both races is incorrect? Too few or too many?
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Old 07-29-18, 12:08 PM
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Should I buy replacement parts for a hub I haven't inspected?

Should I adjust the cones on a hub without opening it up, inspecting, replacing bearings and grease?

NO to both.
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Old 07-30-18, 01:31 PM
  #16  
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Personal experience with Shimano hubs... worth every penny to pull it apart and replace the cones and balls. Both are cheap and I've had Shimano hubs last decades without damage to the cup race. The only time I've given up on replacing cones was when I ran into availability issues with pre-built Ultegra wheels. Even then, I started looking for similar part numbers from the EV sheets to try to find replacements.
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Old 07-30-18, 07:45 PM
  #17  
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Cup and cone hubs are highly repairable and rebuild-able. Take a look, may just need balls and cleaning. If it needs cones, that's not a big deal either but should remind you to not let them go so long without service next time.
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