Bearings gone or wheel dead?

[Easytigers]

Hi there,
Get a terrible grinding noise when freewheeling from the rear wheel (Shimano 7spd - bearings not sealed). Not knowing much about it I presumed it was the bearings. Took it into my LBS and asked them to replace the bearings. Few days later picked it up...Guy said that he'd packed a lot of grease in as there didn't seem to be any in there (oops!). I said thanks and paid the £10. Got home and it's still making the noise! Does it sound like he replaced the bearings or just greased them? If he did replace them and I'm still getting the noise does that mean the wheel is dead?
Russ
Can't get back to shop as the guy is now on holiday for a couple of weeks...

 

[raindog]

Are you sure the noise is coming from the rear wheel bearings? Noises on bikes are notoriously difficult to pinpoint. If the lbs has greased and adjusted the bearings, then they should be ok.

edit - typo

 

[accountantpete]

If the noise is just ocurring when you freewheel it sounds like the freehub is the problem not the hub bearings.

You can easily check the hub bearings by taking the wheel off and spinning it in your hands - the feeling should be smooth without any grinding.

If the bearings are ok I'd take the wheel off and lie it down with the cassette nearest the floor and then try to dribble some oil into the freehub and see if that solves the problem.

 

[Alien8]

If it really didn't have any grease in the hub, and you've been riding it around like that, the cones (replaceable) and or hub may be worn. You should be able to easily feel this if you (with the wheel out) spin it and hold the axle ends. Is it a screw-on freewheel or a cassette? If it's a freewheel take it off and see how it feels. Screw-ons aren't particulary good at keeping the rain etc out so if you've been using it through the winter then it may be that (you can regrease the bearings in screw-ons with a bit of faffing about).

 

[Easytigers]

Thanks...will be having a proper look at it over the next few days to see if I can pinpoint exactly what is wrong. Thanks for the pointers...just hope I can sort it myself (trying to get away from taking it to the LBS whenever I hear the slightest squeak!)
Russ