Hub Ball bearings
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Hub Ball bearings
Today I opened up my hubs to inspect, clean and grease them for the 1st time in 4 years. I believe I may need to get new ball bearings but are all hub ball bearings the same size?
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It really depends on what kind of equipment you have, but generally the balls are larger at the rear and some of the largest I have found were supporting the rear sprocket of a kiddie bike. As I tend to work at the cheaper/older end of the bike spectrum I notice that the cones tend to suffer more damage than the balls, it often looks like damp settles on one side of the cone and begins to corrode them out in that area if left in one position for several years. The balls generally do not show the same level of damage, but I suggest examining the bearing surfaces carefully, maybe with a magnifying glass, to look for pitting. If they look good, then there is no harm in replacing the balls.
The best thing of all is cleaning, regreasing and adjusting.
#3
Luke
Two things to keep in mind
- Bearing size
- Bearing grade/tolerance specifications
Bearing grades - the lower the number, the better the ball tolerances are, so grade 3 is best and grade 100 is worse etc.
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Buy a digital caliper and measure what you have. These devices are inexpensive and answer a lot of questions. Typically bearing balls are 3/16" front and 1/4" rear, but some hubs don't follow this convention.
Why do you think that you need to replace them? If, after cleaning bearing balls, cones, and cups, you see nice smooth bearing tracks with no chipping or galling, just regrease and adjust.
Why do you think that you need to replace them? If, after cleaning bearing balls, cones, and cups, you see nice smooth bearing tracks with no chipping or galling, just regrease and adjust.
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Also, don't overbuy bearing grade. Grade 25 balls are the most commonly used and are far more than good enough but low enough in price to splurge on. Paying a huge premium for Grade 10 or for ceramic balls is a waste of money for no benefit.
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At $11/hundred or so there is no reason not to stock & replace most bearing balls if you plan to work on bikes.
https://www.bocabearings.com/product...-(100-pcs)-411
https://www.bocabearings.com/product...-(100-pcs)-411
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I'm on both sides.
If you've got fresh bearings ready to go (or you need a break, run down to the LBS to get some), put in new bearings.
If the old bearings are clean and shiny, re-use them.
The only time you need to put yourself out to get new bearings is when the old ones are cracked, pitted, or (heaven forbid) rusty. Then you need to get new bearings if you don't have any. Take a couple with you when you go the your LBS, or measure them carefully if you need to mail-order.
If you've got fresh bearings ready to go (or you need a break, run down to the LBS to get some), put in new bearings.
If the old bearings are clean and shiny, re-use them.
The only time you need to put yourself out to get new bearings is when the old ones are cracked, pitted, or (heaven forbid) rusty. Then you need to get new bearings if you don't have any. Take a couple with you when you go the your LBS, or measure them carefully if you need to mail-order.
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There's actually quite a few sizes. Go down to your LBS and they will have a special ruler to measure them and they probably have what you need in stock.
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OP: Get the park spoke ruler for future such repairs, it has holes for all the sizes of bearings bikes use, which ever hole it barely manages to drop through is the size. When it doubt bring one of each to the LBS and they'll do just that or a good mechanic will just know by sight in all likelihood. Nothing wrong with changing them every few years, even if everything looks good bearings can deform from the pressures on them over time and new bearings will keep everything running smooth.
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Not really true though the quality of the hubs can have an impact as well. Dura Ace and Record come with higher grade bearings because they spin better and can last longer. Although I think ceramic often costs stupid amounts of money spending a little extra on hubs will help them spin a little better.
OP: Get the park spoke ruler for future such repairs, it has holes for all the sizes of bearings bikes use, which ever hole it barely manages to drop through is the size. When it doubt bring one of each to the LBS and they'll do just that or a good mechanic will just know by sight in all likelihood. Nothing wrong with changing them every few years, even if everything looks good bearings can deform from the pressures on them over time and new bearings will keep everything running smooth.
OP: Get the park spoke ruler for future such repairs, it has holes for all the sizes of bearings bikes use, which ever hole it barely manages to drop through is the size. When it doubt bring one of each to the LBS and they'll do just that or a good mechanic will just know by sight in all likelihood. Nothing wrong with changing them every few years, even if everything looks good bearings can deform from the pressures on them over time and new bearings will keep everything running smooth.
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#12
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It's easy to measure bearings with a simple 12" ruler.
Line the bearings up along the ruler.
1/4" = 4 per inch or 8 per 2".....
3/16" = 8 per 1.5" or 12 per 2.25" or 16 per 3"......
Why does something that simple require special measuring tools when just a bit of thought......
Line the bearings up along the ruler.
1/4" = 4 per inch or 8 per 2".....
3/16" = 8 per 1.5" or 12 per 2.25" or 16 per 3"......
Why does something that simple require special measuring tools when just a bit of thought......
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It's easy to measure bearings with a simple 12" ruler.
Line the bearings up along the ruler.
1/4" = 4 per inch or 8 per 2".....
3/16" = 8 per 1.5" or 12 per 2.25" or 16 per 3"......
Why does something that simple require special measuring tools when just a bit of thought......
Line the bearings up along the ruler.
1/4" = 4 per inch or 8 per 2".....
3/16" = 8 per 1.5" or 12 per 2.25" or 16 per 3"......
Why does something that simple require special measuring tools when just a bit of thought......
2. honestly this method never occurred to me. I can just tell by visual now but used the ruler in the past.
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Not really true though the quality of the hubs can have an impact as well. Dura Ace and Record come with higher grade bearings because they spin better and can last longer. Although I think ceramic often costs stupid amounts of money spending a little extra on hubs will help them spin a little better.
OP: Get the park spoke ruler for future such repairs, it has holes for all the sizes of bearings bikes use, which ever hole it barely manages to drop through is the size. When it doubt bring one of each to the LBS and they'll do just that or a good mechanic will just know by sight in all likelihood. Nothing wrong with changing them every few years, even if everything looks good bearings can deform from the pressures on them over time and new bearings will keep everything running smooth.
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A small empty box with an inch marked from one corner, and those balls are not going anywhere.
#18
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What hubs are these? Do the bearings appear pitted/worn?
I’d just clean the hub and bearings and add fresh grease, unless something seems worn (there is play or they feel rough).
I’d just clean the hub and bearings and add fresh grease, unless something seems worn (there is play or they feel rough).
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I'm on both sides.
If you've got fresh bearings ready to go (or you need a break, run down to the LBS to get some), put in new bearings.
If the old bearings are clean and shiny, re-use them.
The only time you need to put yourself out to get new bearings is when the old ones are cracked, pitted, or (heaven forbid) rusty. Then you need to get new bearings if you don't have any. Take a couple with you when you go the your LBS, or measure them carefully if you need to mail-order.
If you've got fresh bearings ready to go (or you need a break, run down to the LBS to get some), put in new bearings.
If the old bearings are clean and shiny, re-use them.
The only time you need to put yourself out to get new bearings is when the old ones are cracked, pitted, or (heaven forbid) rusty. Then you need to get new bearings if you don't have any. Take a couple with you when you go the your LBS, or measure them carefully if you need to mail-order.