A-class Wheel hub issues
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3
Bikes: Specialized Allez Elite w/ Collumbus Foco Tubing
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A-class Wheel hub issues
Hey Folks!
Recently my Specialized Allez with A-Class rims / hubs has been having some issues with the rear hub assembly. I noticed a slight grinding sound and could "Feel" the bearings while riding a few days ago. I took apart the rear hub and repacked the bearings thinking that this should resolve the issue. After I tightened down the axle the wheel developed quite a bit of side to side play. I tried tightening the axle cones to reduce this. It seemed to work so I went out on a short ride. About 1/2 mile in I heard the same grinding sound and had to head back. I pulled everything apart again to find that the axle had loosened during my ride, so much so that one of the washers had rubbed against the bolt filling the bearing race full of fine shavings. I repacked the bearings again and tightened the axle as tight as possible without making the bearings seize. The play is still very obvious and seems to be in the free-hub body.
Please give your best guess as to what it might be!
Thanks,
Alan
Edit: It is kinda hard to take good pictures of the bearings and the inside in general. As I said before, everything is as tight as It can go without the bearings locking up. That being said the play seems to be localized where I am pointing. (At the base of the freehub body where it attaches to the rest of the hub)
Recently my Specialized Allez with A-Class rims / hubs has been having some issues with the rear hub assembly. I noticed a slight grinding sound and could "Feel" the bearings while riding a few days ago. I took apart the rear hub and repacked the bearings thinking that this should resolve the issue. After I tightened down the axle the wheel developed quite a bit of side to side play. I tried tightening the axle cones to reduce this. It seemed to work so I went out on a short ride. About 1/2 mile in I heard the same grinding sound and had to head back. I pulled everything apart again to find that the axle had loosened during my ride, so much so that one of the washers had rubbed against the bolt filling the bearing race full of fine shavings. I repacked the bearings again and tightened the axle as tight as possible without making the bearings seize. The play is still very obvious and seems to be in the free-hub body.
Please give your best guess as to what it might be!
Thanks,
Alan
Edit: It is kinda hard to take good pictures of the bearings and the inside in general. As I said before, everything is as tight as It can go without the bearings locking up. That being said the play seems to be localized where I am pointing. (At the base of the freehub body where it attaches to the rest of the hub)
Last edited by aduke; 12-27-12 at 02:24 AM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 3,504
Bikes: 2001 Tommasini Sintesi w/ Campagnolo Daytona 10 Speed
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 145 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 35 Times
in
30 Posts
Photo.
=8-)
=8-)
__________________
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
#3
Really Old Senior Member
Remove the axle, insert 10MM Allen wrench and see if FH body fixing bolt is tight.
IF you are hearing a grinding sound, use new bearings.
IF you are hearing a grinding sound, use new bearings.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,589
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 239 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
You said it became loose after you had just repacked the hub.
Possible that during reassembly you didn't tighten the locknuts against the cones well enough; thus loosening up?
sanity check to be safe - you did do this using propor Cone Wrenches, right? (hey some people don't know this)
k then,
dissassemble
check axle, cones, and locknuts for damaged threading that may be causing loosening
check cones and hub races for pitting
Possible that during reassembly you didn't tighten the locknuts against the cones well enough; thus loosening up?
sanity check to be safe - you did do this using propor Cone Wrenches, right? (hey some people don't know this)
k then,
dissassemble
check axle, cones, and locknuts for damaged threading that may be causing loosening
check cones and hub races for pitting
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3
Bikes: Specialized Allez Elite w/ Collumbus Foco Tubing
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I made sure that the cones and locknuts were plenty tight. I also used the correct cone wrenches. I used a 10mm Allen key and made sure that the bolt was tight as well. This all seems very strange so I am going to take it to my LBS to see what they think. I suspect it will end up costing me though.
Thanks,
Alan
Thanks,
Alan
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,717
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5788 Post(s)
Liked 2,580 Times
in
1,430 Posts
It could be that the grinding you hear is dirt in the ratchet mechanism itself. Also if you removed the body, and didn't put it tight enough, or if it was loose before you started, then the freehub's body/hub interface (the spines) suffered some wear. This is usually non-saveable because all the damage will be to the hub shell (analogous to aluminum crank/spindle play).
Once the body/shell connection has any play, chain tension will deflect it, making it worse. Some times (55/50) you can save it with some filler and a very tight nut, but it depends on how long you were riding it loose.
I'd start fresh, pull the body, give it a long soak, and some flushing in mineral solvent, shake it dry and oil it with a sticky oil like Phil's or Chain-L.
Check the shell for signs of wear, and also look for rub marks on the axle about where the nut would line up -- sure signs of riding with a loose FH body. If the shell looks OK, reassemble and rebuild as before, using clean grease for the bearings, (if yours have retainers be sure to out them in right side up). Before assembling the axle tighten the right cone and locknut against each other as tight as you can using 6-8" wrenches (you can't strip it, so don't go easy).
Finish by making cone adjustment from the left, and checking for zero play when in the frame, with QR tight.
If your hub shell splines are damaged, you might save it with a swelling grade of Loc-tite. (Read and follow directions)
Once the body/shell connection has any play, chain tension will deflect it, making it worse. Some times (55/50) you can save it with some filler and a very tight nut, but it depends on how long you were riding it loose.
I'd start fresh, pull the body, give it a long soak, and some flushing in mineral solvent, shake it dry and oil it with a sticky oil like Phil's or Chain-L.
Check the shell for signs of wear, and also look for rub marks on the axle about where the nut would line up -- sure signs of riding with a loose FH body. If the shell looks OK, reassemble and rebuild as before, using clean grease for the bearings, (if yours have retainers be sure to out them in right side up). Before assembling the axle tighten the right cone and locknut against each other as tight as you can using 6-8" wrenches (you can't strip it, so don't go easy).
Finish by making cone adjustment from the left, and checking for zero play when in the frame, with QR tight.
If your hub shell splines are damaged, you might save it with a swelling grade of Loc-tite. (Read and follow directions)
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.