Workshop for road cyclists: Play in the hub bearing - adjustment and maintenance of hub bearings on road bikes

Hubs from Mavic, Campa, Fulcrum, Zipp, Shimano and others

Level of difficultyfor talented hobby mechanics

TOOLS
- Cone spanner
- Hexagon socket
- soft-face mallet
- Brand-specific bearing tool if necessary, e.g. Mavic spanner

AIDING MATERIALS
- Brand-specific bearing or freewheel grease or oil
- Cotton cloth

TIPS

- Quick release Grinding brake pads can indicate that a quick release is not properly closed. If the axle of the hub is only loose in the dropouts, this can cause serious falls.

- Spoke tension If the brake pads rub against the rim flanks with every pedal stroke despite correct bearing adjustment and a tight quick release, this may be due to insufficient rim stiffness or insufficient spoke tension - this should be checked.

- New condition It is not uncommon for even new hubs to be adjusted too tightly or too loosely on delivery. You should therefore also check new wheels as described in the instructions.

The detailed description for the adjustment and maintenance of hub bearings from TOUR 1 and 2/2016 can be found below as a PDF download.

Adjustment and maintenance of conical bearings

Level of difficultyfor talented hobby mechanics

TOOLS
- Sprocket puller
- Chain whip
- Cone spanner
- hexagon socket
- Tweezers

AIDING MATERIALS
- Bearing or freewheel grease or oil
- Cotton cloth

TIPS

- Grease seals A lot of grease makes mounting easier and seals the bearings. In the case of hub bearings, this only slightly impedes smooth bearing running as the bearings do not move at very high speeds. Over time, some lubricant may ooze out, which you should wipe off.

- Save tool Good disassembly tools for the sprocket fastening nut have an integrated guide. This prevents the tool from slipping, possibly injuring yourself or damaging the tool. On guide-less models, insert the quick release from the opposite side and secure the tool with the nut of the quick release. Once the locking ring has been released, open the quick release so that the ring can be unscrewed.

- Attachment Some axles have tool holders for 5 mm hexagon sockets. For disassembly or adjustment when removed, a hexagon socket inserted from the opposite side secures the wheel against turning.

- Play & smooth running Check that the wheel runs smoothly by hand using the enclosed spacer (nut) and closed quick release. Then reinstall the wheel in the frame and finally check the play.

Downloads:
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