Are sealed hub bearings easily replaceable?
04-11-20, 02:03 PM
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Are sealed hub bearings easily replaceable?
My rear hub bearings on my 85 Sequoia seemed like it was dragging a bit so I took it apart and noticed it had sealed bearings. Are these easily replaced or should I just clean then out and repack with grease? Here's is the bearing with the deal removed.
04-11-20, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by CycleryNorth81
How did you take the seals off?
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04-11-20, 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by robertj298
Are these easily replaced or should I just clean then out and repack with grease?
Maybe you can put something in from the opposite side, and knock them out. Work your way from side to side. It is difficult to know how easily they will come out without being there.
04-11-20, 04:05 PM
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In short answer, you can sometimes clean by flushing and repack. However, you can't get a good inspection on race and ball condition. Its mostly about how it feels in smoothness and judge by feel tolerance.
The good news is, no danger -these are not in a high speed environment and can take significant loads.
Next, these bearings are replaceable, fairly easy and swiftly changed. Can also be done DIY at home without specialty tools or jigs.
Be methodical in the process, setting axle, etc.. Careful not to damage the hub shell, protect it and never put pressure on the inner race of the bearing (outer is where you press). Aluminum hubs are far softer than the hardened bearing and they can sometimes go in so buttery soft using a large C-clamps or slip-joint jaw pliers, socket from the tool box.
Affordable and cheap. Numbers typically are on the seal or on the side of inner race. Cross reference the number (google assist) and then start shopping, select desired grade, etc.. Don't get caught up in buying just two and paying 3 times+ vs. often a qty pack of 6 for say, $9 (save or giveaway the extras to a bike shop). Bearing houses charge considerable for small qty. so I often use Amazon.
The good news is, no danger -these are not in a high speed environment and can take significant loads.
Next, these bearings are replaceable, fairly easy and swiftly changed. Can also be done DIY at home without specialty tools or jigs.
Be methodical in the process, setting axle, etc.. Careful not to damage the hub shell, protect it and never put pressure on the inner race of the bearing (outer is where you press). Aluminum hubs are far softer than the hardened bearing and they can sometimes go in so buttery soft using a large C-clamps or slip-joint jaw pliers, socket from the tool box.
Affordable and cheap. Numbers typically are on the seal or on the side of inner race. Cross reference the number (google assist) and then start shopping, select desired grade, etc.. Don't get caught up in buying just two and paying 3 times+ vs. often a qty pack of 6 for say, $9 (save or giveaway the extras to a bike shop). Bearing houses charge considerable for small qty. so I often use Amazon.
04-11-20, 05:28 PM
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I used a tool like this to remove the cartridge bearings from my Specialized sealed bearing hubs: https://www.treefortbikes.com/ABI-En...CABEgLTw_D_BwE
It will catch the back side of the bearing allowing you to tap it out from the other side with an axle or similar.
It will catch the back side of the bearing allowing you to tap it out from the other side with an axle or similar.
