Regreased wheel bearings, but...

[Fubar]

So I regreased and cleaned the wheel bearings today for the first time and was pleased with my effort, but having put it all back together there is too much play in the wheels - they now wobble. I was wary if over tightening the cones as it seemed the wheels didn't "free" turn if I did that, but I assume that's where the play is now coming from? Ran out of time so will go over it all again tomorrow, any advice would be useful though. Cheers.

 

[Beebo]

Your diagnosis is probably correct. From my experience you just have to keep making small adjustments until the cones are tight enough to stop the play but not too tight to stop the smooth rotation. It's a fine balance and will take patience.

 

[Fubar]

Your diagnosis is probably correct. From my experience you just have to keep making small adjustments until the cones are tight enough to stop the play but not too tight to stop the smooth rotation. It's a fine balance and will take patience.

Cheers, at least I know I've not cocked it up and it is just fine adjustments - tomorrows' project then!

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

You can make the preload adjustment much easier by stopping the axle spinning while you do up the locknuts - you can do that by either getting someone or something like a vice to hold on to the already tightened locknut(s) on the other side of the hub. If you don't do that, the axle will spin by a random amount in relation to the cone (the position of which in relation to the axle is what you are trying to iterate) every time you turn/tighten the locknut.

 

[migrantwing]

As mentioned above and in the video below, it's one of those jobs that requires patience, luck and time. Sometimes you can get it right first time, sometimes it takes a few attempts to get the preload just right.

Bearing adjustment
The bit you need is around 02:50

 

[accountantpete]

The video is very good. I would just mention that it is important to get all the ball bearings back in the race - sometimes one or two can fall into the hub or go missing when being cleaned

 

[migrantwing]

It is, isn't it. One of the best, and easiest videos to follow and very informative. Indeed, Pete, I lost a few when servicing my pedals a few months back. I'm sure they're in the vacuum now

 

[john59]

ParkTool have a good tutorial on the adjustment of cones using your bicycle dropouts.

John

 

[Shut Up Legs]

[QUOTE 2639705, member: 45"]I hate tightening bearings[/quote]
You mean you can't bear it?

 

[migrantwing]

ParkTool have a good tutorial on the adjustment of cones using your bicycle dropouts.

So simple, but overlooked.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

.....and don't forget that if you have quick release skewers doing them up to the correct tightness often eliminates a tiny amount of play.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

My Dad recently gave me an excellent tip for cleaning excess grease off the bearings, after you've removed them from the hub . He knows very little about bicycles, but he's done heaps of home hardware stuff. He said to put all the bearings into a rag, roll the rag up around the bearings, and then simply massage the rag a bit, unwrap and voila! Clean bearings.