Dura Ace bearings? ( DA 7400 bottom bracket)
#1
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Dura Ace bearings? ( DA 7400 bottom bracket)
Hello all,
I'm working on a Dura Ace 7400 bottom bracket and I'm looking to replace the bearings. I was at my LBS yesterday (without my parts) and was looking around at what was offered. They pretty much told me that there really isn't any "quality" bearings I can get. They mentioned ceramics but that's not what I had in mind. So is there any bearings I should be looking at and any I should be staying away from?
Thanks for any and all responses. They will always be most welcomed.
I'm working on a Dura Ace 7400 bottom bracket and I'm looking to replace the bearings. I was at my LBS yesterday (without my parts) and was looking around at what was offered. They pretty much told me that there really isn't any "quality" bearings I can get. They mentioned ceramics but that's not what I had in mind. So is there any bearings I should be looking at and any I should be staying away from?
Thanks for any and all responses. They will always be most welcomed.
#2
Banned
.. as a Loose Ball cup and cone BB you just need to get a set of fresh Bearing Balls of same size
[typically 0.25"]
[aside]Decades ago, I got a thousand grade 25 in a small bag At an Industrial Bearing Supply stores*
rather than Bike shops, for my own use, (* LA/Long Beach there will be several)
but working in Bike shops the ordering of a plastic jar of them is convenient ,
and they come with the rest of the parts orders.]
NOW, If the races on the axle , and the cups in the frame are unDamaged..
to determine this, you have to clean them
and inspect.
leave the right / fixed cup in place, unless damaged, it does not have to come out..
[typically 0.25"]
[aside]Decades ago, I got a thousand grade 25 in a small bag At an Industrial Bearing Supply stores*
rather than Bike shops, for my own use, (* LA/Long Beach there will be several)
but working in Bike shops the ordering of a plastic jar of them is convenient ,
and they come with the rest of the parts orders.]
NOW, If the races on the axle , and the cups in the frame are unDamaged..
to determine this, you have to clean them
and inspect.
leave the right / fixed cup in place, unless damaged, it does not have to come out..
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-29-13 at 11:53 AM.
#3
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Grade 25 1/4" steel balls should be a stock item at any decent bike shop. If your shop doesn't have them, it's time to find a better shop.
#5
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Hello all,
I'm working on a Dura Ace 7400 bottom bracket and I'm looking to replace the bearings. I was at my LBS yesterday (without my parts) and was looking around at what was offered. They pretty much told me that there really isn't any "quality" bearings I can get. They mentioned ceramics but that's not what I had in mind. So is there any bearings I should be looking at and any I should be staying away from?
Thanks for any and all responses. They will always be most welcomed.
I'm working on a Dura Ace 7400 bottom bracket and I'm looking to replace the bearings. I was at my LBS yesterday (without my parts) and was looking around at what was offered. They pretty much told me that there really isn't any "quality" bearings I can get. They mentioned ceramics but that's not what I had in mind. So is there any bearings I should be looking at and any I should be staying away from?
Thanks for any and all responses. They will always be most welcomed.
Shop around and buy a bag of Grade 25 1/4" balls (confirm size), and load them loose using the grease to keep them home until the spindle is in. Grade 25 is way better than necessary, but the difference in cost is small enough that you might as well go 1st class. The retainer doesn't serve any function save for ease and speed in assembly.
As said above, leave the left cup in place, and simply clean the inside thoroughly.
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FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
“Never argue with an idiot. He will only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.”, George Carlin
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
“Never argue with an idiot. He will only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.”, George Carlin
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#6
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The "bearings" are the bottom bracket and spindle themselves. All you need is a set of 1/4" balls, and some grease. I can't believe that the shop didn't have these for you, and ceramic balls would cost you more and not help since it's the races (spindle and cups) that wear, not the balls.
Thanks everyone for the feedback. Most helpful!
#7
Constant tinkerer
The shop saying there aren't any "quality bearings" and suggesting ceramic says they have no idea what they're talking about. Go to a different shop.
I buy grade 25 balls on ebay, I got a 150 count bottle for $10 or something. Enough to do several BBs and hubs.
I buy grade 25 balls on ebay, I got a 150 count bottle for $10 or something. Enough to do several BBs and hubs.
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LOL, FB works on his bikes upside-down 
Hang on, it's FB here...
/googles manual page
Yeah, what I said
...No, wait - that could be some sly old-timery workaround to avoid adjusting the BB again.
Damn you, FB!
/shakes fist
One day!

Hang on, it's FB here...
/googles manual page
Yeah, what I said

...No, wait - that could be some sly old-timery workaround to avoid adjusting the BB again.
Damn you, FB!
/shakes fist
One day!
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Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
Last edited by Kimmo; 10-30-13 at 07:24 AM.