dura ace hub
 

I am having an issue with my front hub. I repacked the bearings like a month ago and everything was running fine (except I might be missing some balls, I have 11 in each side of the front and 9 in each side of the back. I think it should be 12 and 10 but am not sure, anyone mind opening their hub and counting). The problem is that the hub is oozing grease. It is just coming out right between the dust cap and the cone on the bolt.

After some hard off-road riding the bike was all dirty and the hub was a little loose which I figured was the issue, but I cleaned it all up and re-packed it yet again, and now only after about 6 miles I look at the hub and see grease starting to squeeze out again, and the hub is perfectly tight this time.

Now I know there isn't a "seal" for dura ace hubs, but is there something I can do about this? Is there a particular reason for the grease leaking? I put a lot of grease in there cause everyone always says you can't have too much. Is it just excess grease and I don't need that much?

that's normal just wipe it off.

Actually, you can have too much. If you get hold of some of the large bearing catalogues, the do mention this. Apparently with too much grease in a ball type bearing, the balls just cut a channel through the grease, and very little refresh of the grease occurs on the rotating elements, leading to premature wear. Mercedes specifies less grease for the service of front wheel bearings than you might be tempted to put in them if you didn't read the specs.

Grease is basically oil with some soap added to give it the consistency required. There's a lot more to it than just this, but what matters is the kind of grease you use. Some will liquefy at remarkably low loads and temperatures. While desirable in some applications to achieve the desired refresh on the elements, this won't be good in other situations. All I can suggest is that next time, you make sure you are not loading the bearings excessively when you adjust them, and try other bike wheel bearing greases until you get one that works for your riding conditions. Also, don't jam them quite so full.

Hard off-road riding?
These are track hubs?

Jeez, I missed that part.

And I am 20 years old and can't afford another bike, so if I am going swimming and the only way to get there is up 5 miles of loose dirt and rock path, I am riding my track bike. It puts no real stress on the hub, a lot more on the rims yes, but the hubs will be more than fine with regular servicing, which I do.

Has anyone tried to add an O-ring or something on the outside of the dust cap to help keep the grease in?

And I will try different grease too as was suggested, I am not using anything particularity special right now.

:roflmao2:

Soap won't make oil thicker..

If you can't afford a beater bike, then you should at least get a cheap set of beater wheels. Something sealed at least.

I would solve this first, as if you don't have the right amount in there you're probably f-ing up your hub.

Umm ...

Dura Ace hubs huh? May be you can replace the hubs with Formula Hubs. You can probably pay the service fee with the proceeds of selling those Dura Ace Hubs. (They go like 100 bucks each new.) With sealed bearings, you are set for your thing.

... Actually do this fast. Your hubs ain't worth a penny with scratched cones and cups.

Ignore the fear mongers. Those hubs are fine for what you are doing. Overhaul them once or twice a year with quality grease....you'll be fine. Use the grease in moderation and it won't squeeze out when you ride.

I dont think any of the posters could be considered a "fear monger". Dont overreact.

But the fact is, DA track hubs are not the best choice for "hard off-road riding" nor are they meant for it.
I think what people are suggesting is that they cost too much to waste in that manner. Hence the suggestions of sealed and less expensive hubs.
Maybe someone should start a thread asking what the best track hubs are for hard off-road riding. :lol:

Seek and ye shall learn... This is just one of many websites containing basically the same info.

http://searchwarp.com/swa3953.htm

I like how you took the time to repack your bearings twice, but never bothered to count the bearings before hand.
My instinct tells me the bearings should be 10 front, 10 rear, but I've never dealt with DA hubs.

Metallic soap is very different than just, "soap".

Yes, I should have added a single word to my original post. Surely you didn't think I meant dish soap, or Tide?:)

Do what you want, they're your hubs...In Europe the bike mechanics use waxed thread to "seal" loose ball hubs. Just stick one end in the grease and wind it into the open space until it fills the void. Not really waterproof, but it keeps the majority of the dust out. My hubs ooze for a few rides after repacking, I think the heat here contributes...I just wipe the excess off until they stop.

The proper number is as many as you can fit.

9 per side rear
10 per side front

I wouldn't bet your life on that instinct, because you would have died. The balls are a different size in the front (smaller) than the rear (larger). And the issue was that I never counted the bearings the very first time I took it apart which was just days after I got them. I counted them the second time but I wasn't sure if they were still all there at that point since I work on carpet and all it's easy to loose small things.

I might try that waxed thread though, could help keep the grease in and the dirt out.

I'd also suggest a cleaner surface than carpet. There's no point repacking your hubs if they is even the slightest chance you are going to have carpets threads or dust in there. Even a sheet of paper would serve you better.

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830647954.pdf


http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830647971.pdf