Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Axle direction

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Axle direction

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-28-21, 03:15 PM
  #1  
robertj298 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
robertj298's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,142

Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 677 Post(s)
Liked 459 Times in 182 Posts
Axle direction

Does a bicycle axles direction always have the writing stamped on it facing forward? My bottom bracket adjustable cup keeps loosening even though the lock ring is tight. I’m thinking maybe I reversed the axle in the wrong direction
robertj298 is offline  
Old 07-28-21, 03:43 PM
  #2  
CliffordK
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18350 Post(s)
Liked 4,502 Times in 3,346 Posts
It shouldn't matter.

For hub axles, there may be more threads on the right side of the rear.

For bottom brackets, the right side of the spindle may stick out more (longer from bearings to right).

Do you know what "type" of bottom bracket you have?

French? English? Italian? Swiss? ISO?

French and Italian have right hand threads on both sides. I think this normally has the "fixed" cup on the right (drive side).

I've used Purple Locktite during assembly in the past.
CliffordK is offline  
Old 07-28-21, 03:57 PM
  #3  
robertj298 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
robertj298's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,142

Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 677 Post(s)
Liked 459 Times in 182 Posts
Originally Posted by CliffordK
It shouldn't matter.

For hub axles, there may be more threads on the right side of the rear.

For bottom brackets, the right side of the spindle may stick out more (longer from bearings to right).

Do you know what "type" of bottom bracket you have?

French? English? Italian? Swiss? ISO?

French and Italian have right hand threads on both sides. I think this normally has the "fixed" cup on the right (drive side).

I've used Purple Locktite during assembly in the past.
Shimano 600 cup and cone
robertj298 is offline  
Old 07-28-21, 05:12 PM
  #4  
SurferRosa
señor miembro
 
SurferRosa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,602

Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3869 Post(s)
Liked 6,455 Times in 3,192 Posts
On 95 percent of those I have installed, the bb spindle engraving is read from left (nds) to right (ds).
SurferRosa is offline  
Likes For SurferRosa:
Old 07-28-21, 10:41 PM
  #5  
MudPie
Senior Member
 
MudPie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,191
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times in 92 Posts
Originally Posted by SurferRosa
On 95 percent of those I have installed, the bb spindle engraving is read from left (nds) to right (ds).
+1. Imagine sitting on the saddle, looking down at the bottom bracket. The engraving will read left to right.
MudPie is offline  
Old 07-29-21, 01:03 AM
  #6  
CliffordK
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18350 Post(s)
Liked 4,502 Times in 3,346 Posts
Originally Posted by MudPie
+1. Imagine sitting on the saddle, looking down at the bottom bracket. The engraving will read left to right.
I imagine sitting on the saddle and a seatpost and seat tube and bottom bracket shell being right below me.

I'd carefully clean the offending cup and try the Loctite Purple on it.
CliffordK is offline  
Old 07-29-21, 06:44 AM
  #7  
JohnDThompson 
Old fart
 
JohnDThompson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,777

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3582 Post(s)
Liked 3,395 Times in 1,929 Posts
A reversed axle won't cause the adjustable cup to loosen.

I assume you're tightening the lockring on the adjustable cup sufficiently?
JohnDThompson is offline  
Old 07-29-21, 07:27 AM
  #8  
jccaclimber
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SFBay
Posts: 2,334

Bikes: n, I would like n+1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 133 Times in 108 Posts
My first guess is that the lock ring is not as tight as you think.
Second guess is a large burr on the lock ring that bottoms out before the lock ring seats properly on the frame.
Third and fourth are partially stripped threads somewhere that barely hold and an extremely non square BB shell.

I do not advise using thread locker on bb threads. It shouldn’t be required and can be a real bugger to reverse.
jccaclimber is offline  
Old 07-29-21, 11:13 AM
  #9  
SurferRosa
señor miembro
 
SurferRosa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,602

Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3869 Post(s)
Liked 6,455 Times in 3,192 Posts
In his third (c&v) thread on this subject, he had the bearing retainer in backwards.
SurferRosa is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.