Bike Forums - How are hubs supposed to feel?

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- - How are hubs supposed to feel? (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/617606-how-hubs-supposed-feel.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by awesomejack (Post 10317632)

I'm cleaning my bike thoroughly, so I took my front wheel off and the quick release out. Now, when I spin the locknut on both sides of the axle, it doesn't go... smoothly. It feels like there are tiny little millimeter increments that the hub spins in. And it feels like there's alot more resistance than there should be in bearings.

Its a 2009 Trek 7.3FX that I bought in april. There's no labels on the hub and all trek's site says is "Alloy front hub, Shimano RM30 rear hub".

Are hubs supposed to spin very freely by hand? Should they feel perfectly smooth?

They're supposed to feel smooth off the bike, with you holding the axle ends and letting the wheel spin. If you hold the wheel and turn the axle, it does not need to be perfectly smooth, although smoother is better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by awesomejack (Post 10321117)

Aw come on guys, now that I took it apart and see how a hub works, I totally don't need a cone wrench. Hold left lock nut with a wrench, take off right locknut with wrench. take off right cone. Pull entire axle out the left side. But I do see the value in having a $6 cone wrench to save the bit of hassle using needle nose pliers to hold the cone while tightening the locknut. The tool will last a lifetime, so its all good.

All of you were right, the cones were just too tight. I loosened them a little, and it feels much better. The axle had no side to side play before, but now it has just a tiny tiny bit.
I decided I'm not going to regrease them. I didn't take the bearings out and I just slid one cone off to look inside.

Thanks for all your help guys.

Jack, like I said , haha, frikkin needle nose would work.
As for grease it isn't all the same. The best now is red grease spec'd for disc brake use, it will take any heat and is multi vis on temp for auto wheel bearings. It is waterproof too. Ace hardware sells one.
Below are the specs but it comes in an Ace tube or LMX, I don't remember. it's a little sticky to use.

Paper towels and a stick.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/ite...icants-_-4YKW9

Anyway this stuff covers about any greasing job I can think of.
It's cheap too.
bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by awesomejack (Post 10317922)

guess I'll be hittin up my LBS tomorrow to get a quote on cone wrenches or a hub check.

thanks for all your help guys.

Get two of these cone wrenches and you will be good for most cone work. $8.89 delivered.

It is listed as a pedal spanner wrench, but fits most cones too.

http://www1.dealextreme.com/producti...ku_26272_1.jpg

...and then wait 2 months for the package to arrive from deal extreme.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bionnaki (Post 10325861)

...and then wait 2 months for the package to arrive from deal extreme.

True that. If you order now, you should have it by spring.