Benjamino

I recently replaced the caged bearings in my adjustable Bottom Bracket with loose bearings under the advice of a LBS Mechanic and the Sheldon Brown website. Installation went smoothly as I was using fairly thick grease which held the bearings in place during the install, but the adjustable cup is now threaded in further than it was before and as a result the locknut is fully threaded on to the cup. Did I do something wrong, or do I need a slightly longer spindle?

vpiuva

This doesn't sound like a problem

I'm assuming what you're saying is that the adjustable cup is now fully threaded into the BB shell and you can not install and/or tighten the lockring. That sounds like you've used the wrong size bearings.

A change of spindle length will not solve your problem no matter what the issue is.

A pic might help if I'm just not getting it.

Retro Grouch 

Are you sure that you got the exact same size balls as were on the original? It sounds to me like you might have gotten some that aare a little smaller.

Cadfael

I am assuming the OP has done a typo and means the lockring is NOT fully threaded onto the cup?

If your BB is a standard one, you may need 1/4 inch ball bearings, it does sound like your new bearings are to small. Line up four together and check there is four to an inch.

Benjamino

Sorry for the typo, the locknut is not fully threaded. The LBS said that they were 1/4 inch when I asked if they would be compatible with my BB. 11 do fit neatly in a circle in the cup. It is a mid 80's Nishiki with the original BB. We both assumed that it would be a standard size. Maybe I'll have to take her in and have them look at it. Thanks for the replies.