Can you put too many bearings in a hub?
09-19-21, 08:18 PM
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Can you put too many bearings in a hub?
I am rebuilding a 1990 MTB with Deore hubs. If I recall, when I opened it up, out came 9 bearings. When I repacked them, I was able to get 11 in. Should I go back to the 9 or is the 11 ok/better?
09-19-21, 08:32 PM
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9. If you use too many the bearing will bind. Loose bearings should look like there is room for one more but that one can’t fit. 11 is way too many.
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09-21-21, 04:14 PM
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Are you using the right ones? They should be 1/4" in back and 3/16" in front.
09-22-21, 06:22 AM
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https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/s...-M550-1116.pdf
https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/s...-M550-1106.pdf
https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/s...M650-1100A.pdf
https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/s...-M650-1115.pdf
Shimano says 9 on each side of the rear hub(1/4") and 10 on each side of the front hub (3/16") for the 7 speed Deore DX and LX of that era.
https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/s...-M550-1106.pdf
https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/s...M650-1100A.pdf
https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/s...-M650-1115.pdf
Shimano says 9 on each side of the rear hub(1/4") and 10 on each side of the front hub (3/16") for the 7 speed Deore DX and LX of that era.
09-22-21, 08:53 AM
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Sort of a good question. And if you're using the correct size bearings, I don't think you can put in too many to allow for proper adjustment.
A few times I've overhauled a used hub that was new to me, and there's been one bearing too few. Always seem to be a Campy hub, too. Never understood that.
A few times I've overhauled a used hub that was new to me, and there's been one bearing too few. Always seem to be a Campy hub, too. Never understood that.
Give ‘em space. Every bearing in a bicycle should look like it has space for one more bearing but they really can’t take that last one.
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09-22-21, 10:43 PM
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Its an old school thing that applies to many types of old equipment that used bearings and races. As a kid was rebuilding an old 8hp swamp cooler motor that had the brushes and bearings missing from one end of the armature. Guy at the junk yard told me to after cleaning line up 1/4" balls without the grease then remove one and then grease it up to assemble. It worked fine for years.
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09-23-21, 07:46 AM
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There's no good reason to use fewer than the recommended amount, though. "Full race minus one" is what you do if you don't know how many balls are recommended or if you're bad at counting. I don't know why we're on this tangent...
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