Caged bottom bracket bearing direction.

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06-09-20 | 11:15 AM

robertj298

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Caged bottom bracket bearing direction.

I had a heck of a time getting my bottom bracket adjusted until I removed the bearings from thecage
and put them back in loose.I thought I had the cage in right so maybe someone can tell me.

This side of the cage was facing into the cup.

This side was facing into the cone. Is this right or did I have it backwards?

06-09-20 | 11:18 AM

alcjphil

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Backwards

06-09-20 | 11:27 AM

clubman

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The side with exposed bearings runs in the cups. Sounds like you had it right.

06-09-20 | 11:29 AM

robertj298

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1vote backwards and 1 vote right lol

06-09-20 | 11:31 AM

robertj298

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Looking at the closeup photo it looks like the center of the cage is chewed up some so maybe that was the problem

06-09-20 | 11:35 AM

oneclick

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Quote:

Originally Posted by robertj298

I had a heck of a time getting my bottom bracket adjusted until I removed the bearings from thecage
and put them back in loose.I thought I had the cage in right so maybe someone can tell me.

This side of the cage was facing into the cup.

This side was facing into the cone. Is this right or did I have it backwards?

Next time, put the cage with balls on the bare axle. That'll tell you which side goes where - if you have it the wrong way the balls will not touch the axle.

And they're supposed to.

06-09-20 | 11:36 AM

clubman

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You can watch RJ take 5 minutes to tell you.

06-09-20 | 11:45 AM

robertj298

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Looks like I had it in right so my cages must have been bad or at least one of them

06-09-20 | 02:57 PM

steelbikeguy

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just in case there is any chance of confusion remaining... here's a photo of one of my Campy BB cups and bearings....

Steve in Peoria

06-09-20 | 03:10 PM

#10

clubman

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????

06-09-20 | 03:34 PM

#11

Ex Pres

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Balls face race.
Cage in cup.

Appears you installed backwards.

Last edited by Ex Pres; 06-09-20 at 03:38 PM.

06-09-20 | 03:40 PM

#12

JohnDThompson

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Quote:

Originally Posted by robertj298

I had a heck of a time getting my bottom bracket adjusted until I removed the bearings from thecage
and put them back in loose.I thought I had the cage in right so maybe someone can tell me.

This side of the cage was facing into the cup.

This side was facing into the cone. Is this right or did I have it backwards?

9-ball retainers generally have the open side facing into the cup. 11-ball retainers have the open side facing the cone on the spindle. It appears you had it backwards. Loose balls always work, so no compelling need to re-do anything at this point.

06-09-20 | 03:49 PM

#13

clubman

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This is too much. Here's the Official Park Video. I've always done it this way. YMMV

Go to 8:03 timecode

06-09-20 | 04:11 PM

#14

canopus

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Quote:

Originally Posted by robertj298

I had a heck of a time getting my bottom bracket adjusted until I removed the bearings from thecage
and put them back in loose.I thought I had the cage in right so maybe someone can tell me.

This side of the cage was facing into the cup. This side faces into the BB towards the other set of bearings. Slide this onto the spindle...

This side was facing into the cone. Is this right or did I have it backwards? This side faces the Crank arm to the outside of the BB. Put the cup over this.

This^

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06-09-20 | 04:37 PM

#15

clubman

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Agreed. Grease the fixed cup race, insert loose balls (I use magnetic screwdrivers) and use finger feel to bed bearings.
My old mechanic mentor always said you can't have too much grease on a traditional BB but it's dealers choice.

06-09-20 | 05:23 PM

#16

robertj298

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDThompson

I didn't know that. RJ The Bike guy didn't give that tidbit of information lol

06-09-20 | 06:31 PM

#17

sd5782

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11 and 9 were different for me too

Robert, I had my 615 apart I think and with the 11 balls in the cage, it fit backwards compared to the 9 ball cage. It was a bit counterintuitive, but just dry fitting and spinning the spindle and cups in hand revealed it.

06-09-20 | 08:10 PM

#18

noglider

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Loose are better than caged anyway.

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06-09-20 | 09:05 PM

#19

Miele Man

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When you put the loose balls in did you add the extra ball or two to fill the circumference? It requires more loose balls that it does with a caged unit.

Cheers

06-09-20 | 09:33 PM

#20

robertj298

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Miele Man

When you put the loose balls in did you add the extra ball or two to fill the circumference? It requires more loose balls that it does with a caged unit.

Cheers

Nope there wasn't enough space for an extra

06-10-20 | 06:05 AM

#21

mech986

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This is the correct orientation of retained bearings in the cups. Remember this and you'll always get it right. From Vintage Campagnolo Super Record Bottom Bracket Review | Cycling Obsession

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06-10-20 | 06:34 AM

#22

JohnDThompson

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Miele Man

When you put the loose balls in did you add the extra ball or two to fill the circumference? It requires more loose balls that it does with a caged unit.

The OP has 11-ball retainers. That's a full complement; no additional balls can be fitted.