Originally Posted by
FBinNY
This is my regular post as requested by Tom at SKF bearing.
ball bearings refers the complete bearing units, consisting of inner and outer races, balls, and retainers and seals if any. the balls themselves aren't bearings, they're just
balls. Or if you prefer
bearing balls to distinguish them from golf, tennis or cannon balls.
If you search the internet for
ball bearings, you'll find complete bearings, and those who sell them. For the balls search "
bearing balls" and you find companies that sell those.
Sorry for the terminology lesson, but I made a promise, and anyway on this thread it might help save time and direct readers to what they need.
I need both. And as I said in the OP I was hoping to support a shop that helps the forums out. I was also hoping to hear from some fellow forum folks about any shops that would help out a novice more than another because I'm not sure of the bearing sizes. But that's OK, I'm sorry to bother some of you guys. The loose screws site looked promising but I don't see the retainer sets I need: 2/ #64 retainers w/ 9-5/16" balls. I also need a headset set of retainers but haven't been able to ID' them yet b/c they're still in the degreaser. I'll also need hub bearing balls but they're soaking too. The Boca site looks very high tech but they don't even list Schwinn under manufacturers (the S word?). I wouldn't mind going ceramic though as the bearings are of course out of sight and wouldn't compromise originality.