Bicycle Mechanics - repacked rear hub w/ (1/4") bearings

just got my b.bearings yesterday and thought Id start repack the front hub
i ordered 1/4" and 5/16" (ooooopsssss)
so I opened the front hub and discovered that the ooops
counted 11 bearings per side so (will order 3/16" from mcmaster soon $3.03 ..100 pack + freight)
but out of curiousity I packed it with the 1/4" and some red n tacky grease screwed it and obviously...
spun it and was amazed how smooth it was spinning compared to before...so

I did a rear hub instead...realized it would be easier using a pen magnet of some sort...hell where can I get that? counted 9 of the 1/4" bearings per side...some red n tacky via cotton swabs prior and after installing bearings (wish I had a syringe of some sort where the hell...) I noticed that applying and putting the bearings on the freehub side wasnt so difficult coz there was a rubber cover obstructing my view of the race...but I did that side last after I screwed in the bolt and the the bearing balls didnt fall through then applied some more redtacky and screwed the cover nut and figured the best torque was by hand (spinning freely...) done

btw...I didnt have a CONE wrench so I had to unscrew using an adjustable wrench and a vise grip wrench adjustable per side --twisting counter clockwse....it kinda scared me coz I would hear/feel the CRACKing of the bolt like it was slipping or something...no worries...pls advise

I'm surprised that you were able to do the disassembly without a cone wrench. I guarantee that the assembly will go easier with a cone wrench instead of kludging it with the wrong tools.

I think you ought to put the same size bearings into the hub as you removed. You shouldn't need to use a magnet to place the bearings. Try a needlenose pliers, it will probably be easier and won't magnetize the bearings.

Sorry to be negative. Please understand though, that any injury caused by bad maintenance will be caused by you and you will suffer the consequences. I try not to push my luck too far.

I did a rear hub instead...realized it would be easier using a pen magnet of some sort...
...(wish I had a syringe of some sort...)

Some consider it very bad to magnetize ball bearings since they will forever attract magnetic debris which is not want you want in a bearing system.
Get a grease gun and some tweezers instead. Use the grease as "glue" and therefore apply it in generous amounts on the races so that the balls will stick when you place them with the tweezer.

--
Regards

thanks guys...
just bought me some used cone wrenches (13-15mm) from the nearest LBS...so no issues for 2 more hubs --just got to order some 3/16" bearings...will get 2 (200pcs)for batch integrity...
thanks for the magnet advice(saw it on bicycletutor)-and yes I did use a long nose but some of them would slip and fall through coz of the slippery grease...I guess the grease is thick enough to put the bearings in place...and yes I might need tweezers but like the rubber covering in the free hub body Id rather use my fingers and get greased to "feel" the bearings into place...easy to wash off anyways vs chain grease but I could still smell the petroleum after washing my hands...its gone I guess after several hand washes...

when you think you've got enough grease in it; put in some more.....:).....

imo....if your grease won't hold the bearings in place; it's either not enough grease or too thin of a compound....

load up a turkey injector (no needle) with grease.............it should do several hubs, bbs and steerers before needing to be re-loaded......

turkey injector...:thumb:
was looking at some grease guns and they are worth 4x a cartidge of grease...Ill just use a stick!
Ill go to wally...they must have these things for cheap...tnx for the idea