Originally Posted by
mmmdonuts
FWIW whenever I replaced bearings (or balls) on my bikes I have always discarded the retainers. The grease holds the balls in place for assembly.
I wondered about this. Glenn's and some other books warn against trying to put loose bearing balls

in a retainer situation as it can be hard to assemble. Maybe I'll attempt this. Do you then put in the full amount it will take and remove one for spacing?