Bicycle Mechanics - sevice rear hubs wat am i doing wrong

Hi All,

I've got Deore LX Hubs on the rear, I've just stripped them, cleaned everything out, fresh grease, and put it back together.

However when I spin the wheel the cones tighten and the wheel stops spinning.

I've stripped and cleaned them before but I think I'm missing something simple, can anyone advise?

No pitting in hubs or cones, I'm baffled.

the caps holding the ball bearings in, I have the groove facing inwards? Could I have put them on wrong way round?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Are you using the correct cone wrench and tightening the cone against the locknut? That is what it sounds like to me. I always sort of overtighten the cones just a bit and use two wrenches (one on each cone) and back them off. That sort of makes sure they are tight agaisnt the locknuts because if they arent the cones back off too easily. You did only take the nondrive side locknut and cone apart tight? the drive side cone/locknut should not be loosened unless you need to replace the cone

Are you using the correct cone wrench and tightening the cone against the locknut? That is what it sounds like to me. I always sort of overtighten the cones just a bit and use two wrenches (one on each cone) and back them off. That sort of makes sure they are tight agaisnt the locknuts because if they arent the cones back off too easily. You did only take the nondrive side locknut and cone apart tight? the drive side cone/locknut should not be loosened unless you need to replace the cone

I was tightening by hand with cone and lock nut.

I will heed your advice, use the cone spanners and when correct then tighten with the locknut.

I only undid the non drive side.

you should make sure the drive side cone and locknut are tightened against each other

What he said, doesn't sound like you either put it back together wrong or didn't tighten the cone against the lock nut.

I was tightening by hand with cone and lock nut. I will heed your advice, use the cone spanners and when correct then tighten with the locknut. I only undid the non drive side.

Important to stress that you need two wrenches. One is on the cone and you hold that one steady (don't let it turn). The other wrench is on the locknut and you turn it to tighten the locknut against the cone. Then set the wrenches down and try to wiggle the axle back/forth and in/out. There shouldn't be any noticable wiggle to this test. If it wiggles, then your cone is not quite far enough in. Loosen the lock nut and then hold the lock nut on the other side of the wheel and turn the cone in about 1/4 turn and retighten the lock nut as above and recheck for wiggle. When you have the wiggle gone, hold onto both sides of the axle and give the wheel a spin with your thumb. It should spin freely and there should be no excess noise or odd noise.

Here is a link to the Park Tool website's hub overhaul page.
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/hub-overhaul-and-adjustment

thanks for all the help, it turns out the other cone, lock nut had come loose. I never thought to check this as I never slacken these off, as there should never be any reason.

This explained why when I had everything put back together again the hub came loose.

I knew it would be some thing silly. Feel a little daft!!

Only problem is I have pitted slightly my hubs so they make a small pasting sound when the wheel spins.

Ah well lesson learned, need a new wheel for touring so this wheel can be my city wheel, that way if it goes then I'm not stranded.

they might be just a hair too tight, and setting them a hair looser might get rid of that 'pasting sound' (what does paste sound like?)

you want them /just/ tight enough that theres' no play.

Here is a link to the Park Tool website's hub overhaul page.
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/hub-overhaul-and-adjustment

Great link, the part on inserting a skewer thru the hub outside of the frame was especially appeciated as I had never heard/seen this:thumb:

Between Park's site and Sheldon Brown's site....not much that isn't covered....except HERE on the Forum! :-) Digging out the useful bits IS the exercise!

If you are using the bearings with the retainer, they have to be put in the correct way.. Putting them the wrong way causes the retainer to rub against the cups. The drive side cone and locknut also need to be tightened.