Shimano SLX hub

[PABBY]

I have a rear wheel that was made up by Chain Reaction Cycles, approx 3 years ago (Mavic rim, DT Swiss spokes and an SLX hub). The wheel has lasted well, however, lately when I lift the back wheel off the ground and spin it - the wheel makes a grinding/graunching noise and feels as if there is a lot of friction. I can only assume that the bearings in the hub are going. Probably a daft question but can the bearings in the hub be replaced or am I looking at a new hub, which for the cost would probably mean getting a new wheel ? Any constructive suggestions welcome Many thanks.

[gary71]

You can probably recover it by stripping it out, cleaning everything (don't lose the balls!) regreasing and rebuilding.

It's certainly worth a go before looking for a new hub.

[Jimbo.]

PABBY said:

I have a rear wheel that was made up by Chain Reaction Cycles, approx 3 years ago (Mavic rim, DT Swiss spokes and an SLX hub). The wheel has lasted well, however, lately when I lift the back wheel off the ground and spin it - the wheel makes a grinding/graunching noise and feels as if there is a lot of friction. I can only assume that the bearings in the hub are going. Probably a daft question but can the bearings in the hub be replaced or am I looking at a new hub, which for the cost would probably mean getting a new wheel ? Any constructive suggestions welcome Many thanks.

Depends. You'll need to open it up and have a look (you're aware they're cup-and-cone bearings, right? Rather than cartridge?).
If the bearings or cones are shagged (dulled/pitted/scored etc) then they can be replaced.
If the cups (part of the hub shell) are worn (as above) then you *might* need to replace the hub if it's too far gone. You'll need to service it and see if you can get it "good enough". If you can't, it's a paperweight.

[anonymous-user]

http://techdocs.shimano.com/techdocs/blevel.jsp;js...

shimanos technical documents are all online and very useful....

www.cyclerepairman.co.uk is pretty good for bearings too

[Beyond Rational]

You can replace the cups on a Shimano hub if you have another complete hub to knock them out them from. It can work out cheaper to buy a new hub than buying the spares separately, saves rebuilding the wheel.

[PABBY]

Many thanks for all of the replies. I think I will replace the hub as suggested (be a shame to bin an otherwise good wheel). Found an identical hub on Chain Reaction for £27.99 :

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/SearchResults.a...

[Jimbo.]

PABBY said:

Many thanks for all of the replies. I think I will replace the hub as suggested (be a shame to bin an otherwise good wheel). Found an identical hub on Chain Reaction for £27.99 :

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/SearchResults.a...

Don't got that far yet! You might be lucky and only need a good service (!). A new hub will - potentially, if you can't knock the cups out (first I've heard of that) - need the wheel rebuilding.

Open the hub up and have a look

[yellowjack]

This thread may be of help:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

yellowjack said:

This:

http://sheldonbrown.com/cone-adjustment.html

might help. Or this:

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/tech/fix/?id=howfix...

Cone spanners are not too costly, and provided you haven't ground down the bearings, or pitted the cone nut, all you'll need to get the job done will be a tube of (bike-specific) grease from your LBS. That, and a little patience to get the cones adjusted right on re-assembly. The cones and the ball bearings are easily, and cheaply replaced - the only show stopper is if the bearing cup (where the balls sit, inside the hub) is damaged. Then, you'll probably need a new hub/wheel. If you do decide to regrease the hub bearings, make sure to do the disassembly somewhere where you won't loose the ball bearings. They are the very devil to find if they escape.

Oh, and this:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=16...

has a good image of the comparison between a nice clean cone and bearings, and one that is pitted/worn and in need of replacement.

Hope I've been of some help. Bikes. Not as complicated as you think!