Cant get front hub adjustment right
10-03-15, 08:32 AM
#1
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Cant get front hub adjustment right
I bought a bike and re-greased the front hub but now I cant tighten the cones back up without there being either way too much play in the hub or way too much friction.
The wheel was running freely before I touched it and the hub had no play so I dont understand why I can't get it back that way. The cones and races were in great condition with no pitting. Its a Shimano 105 hub HB-5500.
I've done this job a few times before on other bikes and never had this problem..Do hubs warp out of shape or something?
The wheel was running freely before I touched it and the hub had no play so I dont understand why I can't get it back that way. The cones and races were in great condition with no pitting. Its a Shimano 105 hub HB-5500.
I've done this job a few times before on other bikes and never had this problem..Do hubs warp out of shape or something?
10-03-15, 08:41 AM
#2
smelling the roses
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I've found it to be much, much easier to do if you I use an axle vise, clamped into a bench vise. Instead of adjusting one cone against the other, I am adjusting each individually, with the axle frozen in place.
10-03-15, 09:10 AM
#3
Senior Member
I use a nut large enough to fit over the axle to simulate a drop-out. I install the skewer and close it with tension to get the final adjustment on the left side cone. The should be a slight amount of drag for preload. When the QR is released there will be a small amount of play in the bearings.
10-03-15, 09:21 AM
#4
Really Old Senior Member
Is the axle straight?
10-03-15, 09:55 AM
#5
Mechanic/Tourist
Basics 1st - 10 new 3/16" balls on each side?
10-03-15, 09:58 AM
#6
Senior Member
Adjusting hubs is an annoying, time consuming, do-it-again... and again... and again trial and error kind of thing. Patience and perseverance are the name of the game, as well as acknowledging when good enough is good enough. Any time a hub is giving me a hard time, I have to remind myself that it beats jetting motorcycle carbs...
10-03-15, 10:29 AM
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10-03-15, 10:36 AM
#8
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My technique is to overtighten a little, and then use two cone wrenches on the cones to add some slack. Some rear Shimano hubs defeat this, but the front should be fine
