First go at packing a hub

I got my wheel back – the hub in pieces. There is pitting on the hub cups and on some ball bearings, so the hub does need replacing. So much for the “service” 6 weeks prior! 6 weeks is a long time, but it was on road riding only since my chain broke after being serviced and I lost a couple of links so have not been keen to have it off road. That will be the last time I go to Penny Sport Cycles (Christchurch) for any maintenance.

A new wheel is cheaper than a new hub and wheel rebuilding. Crazy! So I decided I had nothing to loose repacking the hub myself and delaying the inevitable. A quick check on the Shimano website and I can only find an exploded diagram, no instructions. Worst than that, I had 2 extra pieces than the diagram! A google search did not yield a brilliant solution either. The best I found was these two articles: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/hubs.html and http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cone-adjustment.html.

So after a lot of looking I think I got it all sorted and then did a quick trip to a different cycle shop for some grease and cone tool. About an hour later I have the wheel back on my bike. There is some play in the bearings and it definitely is not as smooth as I remember it. Not too sure how much that is the pitting or my lack of experience. I decided to leave it as it is for the time being. The play is not noticeable when riding, although there is a noise when under a decent peddle load. Think I will ride to work for the week checking the play and see how it is then.

Things I learnt

• PSC is crap for maintenance. The smallest 2 rings on the cassette were loose before and after the service which I took as normal. I did not need the tool to take the cassette off; I undid it with my hands. And after doing it back up the rings are not loose.
• If you have never taken the hub apart, do not undo the freewheel (drive or cassette) side, best to leave it all together on the axle. There is little reason to take those bits off, and at least you will know it is positioned right on the axle to be even on both sides.

11. December 2005 »

Written by Cameron » 11. December 2005 » Tagged as