Bicycle Mechanics - Ultegra BB 6500 Post-Install Question

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cokes&spokes
01-19-04, 07:40 AM
I installed a new Ultegra 6500 BB in a Lemond Zurich frame. The axle seems to be running a little rougher than it did before the install (there seems to be a little more compression on the bearings).
With the crank arms on, it seems real smooth though. I tried loosening the cartrige from the drive-side after loosening the opposite cup and then retightening it just snug. Then I retightened the opposite cup with same result. Is this a normal situation (i.e. something like a break-in period will be needed) or could this slight roughness cause damage to the BB?

tommy2pants
01-19-04, 07:55 AM
I installed a new Ultegra 6500 BB in a Lemond Zurich frame. The axle seems to be running a little rougher than it did before the install (there seems to be a little more compression on the bearings).
With the crank arms on, it seems real smooth though. I tried loosening the cartrige from the drive-side after loosening the opposite cup and then retightening it just snug. Then I retightened the opposite cup with same result. Is this a normal situation (i.e. something like a break-in period will be needed) or could this slight roughness cause damage to the BB? Maybe the BB shell needs facing.If it's not square,it can put a bind on the BB. However that just typically causes increased resistance,not roughness.Tighten the driveside properly and try not quite so tight on the nondrive side and see what happens. Didn't you like the answer you got somewhere else?
cokes&spokes
01-20-04, 09:07 PM
Maybe the BB shell needs facing.If it's not square,it can put a bind on the BB. However that just typically causes increased resistance,not roughness.Tighten the driveside properly and try not quite so tight on the nondrive side and see what happens. Didn't you like the answer you got somewhere else?

I liked the answer I got somewhere else and thanked that person for their
assistance and I thank you for yours. Do you know if the "hydrolic" resistance
on the axle should differ at all from what it is before the tightening process?
Can you quantify that say on a 1-10 scale with 1 being the resistance before
installation. I haven't replaced one of these before so I would find this info
very helpful. Also if the resistance where such that I could feel the bearings
rotating through the axle somewhat, what might the likelyhood be that I would
damage the unit. The unit spins real smooth with the cranks on but I was wondering if that can be misleading.
Again, Thank you for your help!