Bicycle Mechanics - Newbie Axle Question.

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MANUALlabor
10-11-02, 07:03 PM
I'm not experienced with hubs at all, but my axle is getting so bent that I have to replace it.
It's a BMX unsealed hub (freewheel of course) and it's the rear.
What I was wondering is if I have to use a rear axle for the rear hub, or if a front axle should work fine..
I have a brand new front axle I can use that I got off an old wheel, but I noticed it is threaded all the way through and that the bent one from the rear isn't.
Will this front axle work fine or will I have to buy another rear axle?


Also, what grease would you guys recommend for my hub?

-Justin

pat5319
10-12-02, 04:09 AM
Get a new one, old ones are usually a "can of worms".

Ride Far
Pat
faith
10-13-02, 07:11 AM
-Justin;

You also might want to check the alignment of the rear dropouts. A bent rear axle may indicate issues with their geometry. As for grease, please use a quality bicycle grease, automotive varieties are not appropriate owing to design temperature range and water resistance qualities. Your LBS (local bike shop) can be an excellent source for lubricants.

MichaelW
10-13-02, 08:28 AM
Rear axles are a bit longer than rear ones.
For a replacement, get one made from Chromoly steel. If you can find a heat-treated one, they are stronger than standard models.
Take your old one to get the correct size.
For grease, get a tube of standard white Lithium grease from a bike store.
MANUALlabor
10-13-02, 09:52 AM
Well I took apart the hub and realized how simple it was.. I cleaned it all out, and regreased the balls. The axle I was using as a replacement worked out fine. It was a good axle, and I'm pretty sure its chromoly, but it was off the front wheel of the bike so I wasn't sure if there would be any conflict there. It worked fine though, I still had enough room for the dropouts, thick chain tensioners, a peg on the left side, and axle nuts.



Originally posted by faith
-Justin;

You also might want to check the alignment of the rear dropouts. A bent rear axle may indicate issues with their geometry.


Luckily my dropouts aren't bent or anything, I bent the axle from a combination of a cheap 3/8" axle and some rough landings on grinds.
My next frame will have 14mm axle slots :)