Brad W

Hi, first time posting here but have received much information just browsing. My question is I have a set of wheels that are made up with mavic 500 RD hubs. I bought them back in the early nineties and made up with the mavic open pro rims they have been rock solid.

I知 not a high milage rider but there is some miles on these wheel sets. I would like to know if any one has any experience with these hubs or at the very least if anyone knows what size bearings they take. I know they take sealed bearings. I have found a diagram on line that shows an exploded view of the hubs but does not give spec. of whats needed for repair.

The hubs at this time spin great and make no sound and have no wobble to them. I知 just thinking it may be time to service them.

Thanks, Brad

neilG

It's a 6001 bearing. If it ain't broke, my advice is to leave it alone.

Brad W

Thanks neilG for the info. I agree with you, I think I'll let the hubs be unless i have to work on them.

Brad

cascade168

The test to determine if they need to be replaced, or not, is very simple. Remove the axle and spin the bearing with your finger tip. If they feel smooth, they are good. If they are bad, they will feel scratchy/lumpy/loose/or_whatever - you'll know it right away. I'm going to say that over 90% of the cartridge bearings that get replaced in hubs do not need to be.

Brad W

Thanks for the tip. I'll try that this weekend.

Brad

Mr.Toolbox

I'm thinking of repacking mine with fresh grease, have any one done the same, or do you just ride until they fail?
I know how "old" grease typically look based on experience so I'm a bit worried that maybe I'll just kill the bearings right away if I start riding..

SJX426 

Those are great hubs! I have several and they are sweet. If they run smooth, don't fix what ain't broke. Replacing the bearings is better than trying to replace the grease behind the seals.

Crankycrank

I do my sealed bearings whenever I think is a good time to do it. As mentioned if you know the procedure and have the tools just replacing them may be easier but IMO this is a waste. Just carefully remove the seals with a thin blade, spray some solvent to remove the old grease, let the solvent dry out, replace grease, install seals, done, and not worry about your bearings for 2+ years unless you're fording rivers regularly.

ShannonM

Assuming we're talking about cartridge bearings, do you pull them out of the hub or leave them in? I guess I'd just replace them, cuz I'm pretty sure I'd mung the seals up good if I tried to repack them. Unless Mavic, being French, used some oddball size that nobody's made since the Mitterand administration. If they're a standard size, buy some new SKFs and ride 'em until the 2040s.

Fantastic hubs, at least by reputation. (And looks...) I've always wanted a pair. (And that lovely, lovely SSC "erector set" rear derailleur... I don't care how they shift, I just want one.)

--Shannon

Crankycrank

If you can get the seals off without damaging them while the bearings are in place then that's what I'd do. I haven't come across any yet including motorcycle wheel bearings that sit inboard a fair amount that I couldn't pry the seals out without damage.