Is this Campagnolo bearing cage defective?
04-25-21, 01:13 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Is this Campagnolo bearing cage defective?
I picked up a used Athena threaded headset that looks to be in pretty good shape. When I installed it, I heard the faintest grind when I turned the fork, even though the motion was pretty smooth. I was trying to figure out if something could be wrong, and as I was inspecting all the pieces I noticed that the bearing cages had some non-smooth looking bits of metal sticking out.They are pictured below, circled in red and one is pictured up close. I count several of these little "tags" on both cages.
I am assuming that these little jagged edges/tags are not ideal. The thing is, they don't appear to be the result of lots of use. Instead, they look to me like they have been their since the piece was constructed, perhaps due to not properly stamping out the cage.
Do you think these edges will cause performance issues? I am considering removing the bearings and filing away the rough bits before returning the bearings to the cage.
I am assuming that these little jagged edges/tags are not ideal. The thing is, they don't appear to be the result of lots of use. Instead, they look to me like they have been their since the piece was constructed, perhaps due to not properly stamping out the cage.
Do you think these edges will cause performance issues? I am considering removing the bearings and filing away the rough bits before returning the bearings to the cage.
Likes For bargo68:
04-25-21, 01:26 PM
#3
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,592
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3854 Post(s)
Liked 6,448 Times
in
3,188 Posts
04-25-21, 01:30 PM
#4
Dedicated Detritus Dodger
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Fairfax, California
Posts: 470
Bikes: Some mighty fine ones at that!
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 191 Post(s)
Liked 603 Times
in
247 Posts
^^^ true enough^^^
Seriously tho, if the pics are after a cleaning, those bearings look a little rough. They need another round with the mineral spirits, but I would replace them with new, loose bearings.
Seriously tho, if the pics are after a cleaning, those bearings look a little rough. They need another round with the mineral spirits, but I would replace them with new, loose bearings.
Likes For bargo68:
04-25-21, 02:05 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3462 Post(s)
Liked 2,825 Times
in
1,994 Posts
Redeemable with effort- I too would just go free and cage-less. One could be fixed with a round file, the other would take more effort.
bag them, set aside and go loose.
bag them, set aside and go loose.
04-25-21, 05:43 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Bloomington, IN
Posts: 2,936
Bikes: Paramount, Faggin, Ochsner, Ciocc, Basso
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1295 Post(s)
Liked 1,882 Times
in
1,132 Posts
My advise is to remove the balls and replace then after filing down the defective edges in the cages. My normal procedure for cleaning caged bearings is to remove and replace the balls with new ones. In doing so I can remove any debris from the cage and start fresh with everything new. A pair of needle nosed pliers and a twisting motion will make the removal easier for ball removal. The new ones should press in place with finger pressure. HTH, Smiles, MH
04-25-21, 08:42 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: City of Angels
Posts: 4,867
Bikes: A few too many
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1360 Post(s)
Liked 2,175 Times
in
1,180 Posts
You could also go "commando"....Just sayin.
Best, Ben
Best, Ben
__________________
"EVERY PERSON IS GUILTY OF ALL THE GOOD THEY DID NOT DO"
Voltaire
Voice recognition may sometimes create odd spelling and grammatical errors
"EVERY PERSON IS GUILTY OF ALL THE GOOD THEY DID NOT DO"
Voltaire
Voice recognition may sometimes create odd spelling and grammatical errors
04-25-21, 08:54 PM
#8
Disraeli Gears
Weight weenies don't need no stinkin' cages. You can add more balls (good) without, but don't overdo it -- fill to "fit" and remove one ball. Sutherlands is usually pretty good about how many to use for each type of assembly/mfgr too.
04-26-21, 04:37 AM
#9
Senior Member
Likes For big chainring:
