Front wheel on my roadie developed a squeak so I re greased the bearings which has solved this, but the bearings aren't the smoothest and there is a slight occasional catch!

 

now can I leave it as is, it's free wheeling well and there is no play, or do I need to replace? If I need to replace can someone recommend me replacement bearings and the tool I need to remove and fit new bearings. 

I am assuming you have cup and cone type bearings. Have you nipped up the cones a little too keenly. Maybe back them off a touch and see how that runs, as long as you don't have lateral play. If you had a noise coming from the hub it might be they are damaged already, did you take them apart and check them?

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/how-to-service-a-hub-21950/

 

Any corrosion or pitting would indicate they are shot, also check the cups and cones.  You should be able to get replacement from your local bike shop (LBS)

Also look on YT for cartridge bearings

no they are sealed bearings, the type with a rubber dust cover you can pull away to grease the bearings, like this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/brand-x-sealed-bearing-6800-2rs-bearing/rp-prod119283?gs=1&gclid=Cj0KEQiAzsvEBRDEluzk96e4rqABEiQAezEOoKIoFg73p0A8QkY0ESMn8YKHSIlrour1uP_pHakZ3gAaAi4s8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

I believe they need to be removed using a special tool and then new ones pressed back into place

Depending on how tight the bearings are they may just tap out from the inside with a screw driver but it should only be gentle taps otherwise use a bearing puller. The new bearings if you freeze them over night whilst keeping your wheels in the house over night will normally just push in by hand. Even though they are sealed I've always added more grease. 

Rather than trying to talk you through it's worth using the inline resources, scroll down the page of the second link until you see:

Cartridge bearing hubs

Tools required

well there was a list but some sort of protection puts the hashing in 

•  

Also lots of advice on for all sorts of problems:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=40004&sid=bf1001620c6004ba4bc80fe6a3276b1b

 

 

Edited 2 February, 20179 yr by Bud
Bizarre hashes

Just seen this for a home made bearing puller if you don't have access to the real thing.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGflbxGAzwE

As others have said, you dont always need a bearing puller/press, they will make the job easier but if you don't use them alot, it makes the tools un-financially viable to purchase.

 

If you do come to replace them, I recommend SKF/Hope bearings, I always use one or the other on all of my bikes & my customers bikes.

 

 

Edited 2 February, 20179 yr by DarkPeakCycles

IF you have some good external circlip pliers then you can grip the internal race and pull the cartridge out with these. Totally agree with DPC on SKF bearings, don't buy cheap unless you want to the job again soon. If you have the option of ceramic bearings for your size then take the option.

thanks for the advice, I think I would prefer to get the right tool, they don't appear to expensive on ebay, I just need to work out what bearings I have and what tool I need.

Normally stamped on the side, hopefully the one that is visible before you have to pull them out  

52 minutes ago, CWARD said:

Normally stamped on the side, hopefully the one that is visible before you have to pull them out  

 

I'll have another look at some point! May just get my LBS to replace them once the weather improves and they stop salting the roads! Maybe replacing the grease will sort it short term 

If they're running rough then it will only mask the wear but may keep you going for a bit longer. The beauty of the cartridge bearings is that any wear to the races also goes when they are replaced unlike a race and cup setup like Shimano but their own benefits too.

On 02/02/2017 at 11:11, VRS Mike said:

thanks for the advice, I think I would prefer to get the right tool, they don't appear to expensive on ebay, I just need to work out what bearings I have and what tool I need.

 

I would recommend a vernier caliper for double checking the bearing sizes, I've had a few different wheels come to me for bearing replacements and the bearings fitted are a different size to what is stamped on them (mainly on the cheaper wheels)

 

 

On 02/02/2017 at 12:26, VRS Mike said:

 

I'll have another look at some point! May just get my LBS to replace them once the weather improves and they stop salting the roads! Maybe replacing the grease will sort it short term 

 

If you are anywhere near Kingston Bagpuize, I highly recommend Jeff at Bagpuize Bicycles .

2 hours ago, DarkPeakCycles said:

 

I would recommend a vernier caliper for double checking the bearing sizes, I've had a few different wheels come to me for bearing replacements and the bearings fitted are a different size to what is stamped on them (mainly on the cheaper wheels)

 

 

 

If you are anywhere near Kingston Bagpuize, I highly recommend Jeff at Bagpuize Bicycles .

 

Yeah was going to check with my verniers. 

 

Im friends with the guys from ridgeway cycles so will use them. But thanks for the advice. 

Finally ordered some bearings, will hopefully replace them this week. I will also probably order a new wheel set as my current ones seem to flex when I get out of the saddle to put the power down. I'll knock the old ones out and use a g clamp and socket to press the new ones in. 

 

Got my eye on some fulcrum quattros that will go on the bike once the weather improves and they stop salting the roads!

 

I've managed over 350 miles this year

new bearings arrived, fitted to my existing wheels, but then my new wheels turned up and I thought **** it and fitted them to the bike! They are much lighter than my old wheels with a wider rim which seems to be the latest fashion!

 

Will be going out on Friday for a nice ride to see if they make any difference