Bottom Bracket spindle loose 1986 Schwinn Prelude
#26
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,194
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1565 Post(s)
Liked 1,296 Times
in
866 Posts
The pressed metal ring mostly just prevents the end of the spindle from dislodging a ball as the spindle is fed through the bottom bracket upon assembly. Would also keep the balls from falling out prior to final assembly.
Once in place, the spindle holds the balls from going anywhere but around in circles.
This is and never was a precision bottom bracket. It is fine for general use for some thousands of miles, but will always have some roughness in turning because of the surface specification. All is fine here, the bearings should have enough pre-load tightness to their adjustment so that some roughness is felt, yet the spindle should still turn easily with greasy fingers. The surface defects will smooth out under loading. I'm not going by the photos here, where the bearings appear to be grease-coated. A magnifying glass is how I assess the condition of clean balls and races for actual pits.
Once in place, the spindle holds the balls from going anywhere but around in circles.
This is and never was a precision bottom bracket. It is fine for general use for some thousands of miles, but will always have some roughness in turning because of the surface specification. All is fine here, the bearings should have enough pre-load tightness to their adjustment so that some roughness is felt, yet the spindle should still turn easily with greasy fingers. The surface defects will smooth out under loading. I'm not going by the photos here, where the bearings appear to be grease-coated. A magnifying glass is how I assess the condition of clean balls and races for actual pits.
#27
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,514
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2422 Post(s)
Liked 4,396 Times
in
2,093 Posts
The grease should hold them in during the fixed cup installation if you don't whack the installation tool with a hammer (Side note: It's also impossible to do this with an old VAR installer, which would interfere with the bearings). Then you grease up the adjustable cup, grease the spindle and install it, and then hold the spindle against the fixed cup while installing the adjustable cup.
Done.
-Kurt
#28
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 898
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn Sports Tourer plus a " few" more :)
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 211 Post(s)
Liked 199 Times
in
147 Posts
Thank you ALL
Especially Dave , Kurt, Sam.....forgive me if I do not mention your name. ALL the responses were / are helpful
I got the pressed rings OUT !!!!!!
Inside cups looked new !!!!!
Took a screwdriver and had my wife hold down the end to get better leverage !!!
BOTH out in under 90 seconds !!!!!!
THANK YOU
THANK YOU !!
Confirmed by at least 5 expert sources ( thank you bike forum) that ....INDEED.......you do NOT need those metal pressed rings !!!!!
Filled with nice Park tool grease
new ball bearings
Installed
Smooth as BUTTER !!!!!!
I cannot express my gratitude enough for all your help.
Thank you for giving me the confidence as well
Stay/be safe riding my friends.....
Especially Dave , Kurt, Sam.....forgive me if I do not mention your name. ALL the responses were / are helpful
I got the pressed rings OUT !!!!!!
Inside cups looked new !!!!!
Took a screwdriver and had my wife hold down the end to get better leverage !!!
BOTH out in under 90 seconds !!!!!!
THANK YOU
THANK YOU !!
Confirmed by at least 5 expert sources ( thank you bike forum) that ....INDEED.......you do NOT need those metal pressed rings !!!!!
Filled with nice Park tool grease
new ball bearings
Installed
Smooth as BUTTER !!!!!!
I cannot express my gratitude enough for all your help.
Thank you for giving me the confidence as well
Stay/be safe riding my friends.....