Zipp 77 Front Hub Problem
10-18-20, 09:08 AM
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Zipp 77 Front Hub Problem
Hello,
I have a set of Zipp 202's with the 77/177 hubs (non-disc brake). The issue I am having is with the front hub (77). When I secure the QR with a reasonable amount of pressure there is some lateral play in the hub much like what one would feel if the preload needed to be adjusted on loose cup-and-cone bearings. However, the bearings in this this particular hub are sealed cartridge bearings with no way to adjust the preload. According to Zipp the bearing preload is set at the factory. I can get the lateral play to stop but this requires having to tighten the QR skewer very, very tight--almost to the point of not being able to close it (at least very, very tight for my scrawny climbers' arms).
It should be noted I've had the wheels for almost two years, I am the original owner, and I don't recall this being an issue in the past. However, I wasn't really paying attention in the past so this could be totally normal. Despite all this the bearings do roll "forever," when the bike is the stand and I spin the wheel, and they are super smooth and quite.
Any thoughts?
I have a set of Zipp 202's with the 77/177 hubs (non-disc brake). The issue I am having is with the front hub (77). When I secure the QR with a reasonable amount of pressure there is some lateral play in the hub much like what one would feel if the preload needed to be adjusted on loose cup-and-cone bearings. However, the bearings in this this particular hub are sealed cartridge bearings with no way to adjust the preload. According to Zipp the bearing preload is set at the factory. I can get the lateral play to stop but this requires having to tighten the QR skewer very, very tight--almost to the point of not being able to close it (at least very, very tight for my scrawny climbers' arms).
It should be noted I've had the wheels for almost two years, I am the original owner, and I don't recall this being an issue in the past. However, I wasn't really paying attention in the past so this could be totally normal. Despite all this the bearings do roll "forever," when the bike is the stand and I spin the wheel, and they are super smooth and quite.
Any thoughts?
Last edited by mrblue; 10-18-20 at 09:30 AM.
10-18-20, 09:12 AM
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I suspect fresh bearings would change the end play. What type of QR skewer are you using? Exposed cam or the older enclosed design? Andy
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AndrewRStewart
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10-18-20, 09:23 AM
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Last edited by mrblue; 10-18-20 at 09:30 AM.
10-18-20, 09:37 AM
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Cartridge bearings can spin smoothly yet still have excessive end play. Those QR skewers suffer from the reduced clamping pressure all exposed units do. Maybe trying an internal cam style before doing anything else? Last bit I'll add is that minor end play in your hubs is not wrong and shouldn't do more then bother a preconceived notion. Andy
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AndrewRStewart
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10-18-20, 06:39 PM
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Cartridge bearings can spin smoothly yet still have excessive end play. Those QR skewers suffer from the reduced clamping pressure all exposed units do. Maybe trying an internal cam style before doing anything else? Last bit I'll add is that minor end play in your hubs is not wrong and shouldn't do more then bother a preconceived notion. Andy
10-30-20, 08:47 PM
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Cartridge bearings can spin smoothly yet still have excessive end play. Those QR skewers suffer from the reduced clamping pressure all exposed units do. Maybe trying an internal cam style before doing anything else? Last bit I'll add is that minor end play in your hubs is not wrong and shouldn't do more then bother a preconceived notion. Andy
Any thoughts? Are cartridge bearings supposed to be this annoying?
Last edited by mrblue; 10-30-20 at 08:50 PM.
10-30-20, 11:04 PM
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I tried replacing the bearings. I did not use Zipp bearings, per se. Instead I used some other, less expensive, 6803 bearings. I replaced the bearings and pressed them in "hand tight." This did not alleviate the lateral play issue. So, I pressed the bearings in a just a little (less than 1/8 of a turn of the bearing press handles) tighter. This totally got rid of the lateral play. However, now the bearings are all grindy, indicative of being too tight.
Any thoughts? Are cartridge bearings supposed to be this annoying?
Any thoughts? Are cartridge bearings supposed to be this annoying?
