Originally Posted by
EvilV
I'd never put in more balls than the manufacturer did. Why would one think an amateur mechanic knows more about the required number of balls than the designer and manufacturer?
That isn't meant to sound rude - it's just an observation.
No worries, I'd never think such a thing!
Originally Posted by
EvilV
Maybe when they are all seated and the cones are adjusted up, they are binding because they don't have enough room.
Remember, the designer and the manufacturer are not necessarily the same person. Manufacture and assembly can go awry in any number of ways, and when I found shreds of twisted metal in the bearings, I assumed something had gone awry (though not necessarily during manufacture).
The logic is that a retainer maintains the balls at an even spacing, and if the retainer is removed, the balls will travel closer to one another, leaving a large gap somewhere. In general that space will be right where you least want it. So when using loose balls you normally use a slightly higher number than you would if they were in a retainer. Anyway, that's the logic.
When in doubt (i.e. after removing twisted metal, dropping an unknown number of balls on the floor, etc), most mechanics will put in as many balls as will fit comfortably in the cup, and then remove one. After I took the shreds of my ball retainer out of the cup, I had room for two extra balls, so I put in one. I haven't ridden the bike yet --there are other issues-- so I don't know if it's all right.