Campagnolo wheel bearing adjustment

[Mark Drayton]

Hi

I have some new 2008 Campagnolo Neutron wheels which are lovely but
both seem to have picked up a bit of bearing play in the 500 or so
miles I've done on them so far. It's quite hard to quantify the exact
extent of the play but I can see the rear axle move (a small amount)
if I 'waggle' it side-to-side. The front has a touch less play. Doing
the quick release skewers up tight (not *ultra* tight, but pretty-damn-
tight) is enough to take up the slack.

Should I try to adjust the bearings?

Cheers,

mark

 

[Martin]

Mark Drayton wrote:
> Hi
>
> I have some new 2008 Campagnolo Neutron wheels which are lovely but
> both seem to have picked up a bit of bearing play in the 500 or so
> miles I've done on them so far. It's quite hard to quantify the exact
> extent of the play but I can see the rear axle move (a small amount)
> if I 'waggle' it side-to-side. The front has a touch less play. Doing
> the quick release skewers up tight (not *ultra* tight, but pretty-damn-
> tight) is enough to take up the slack.
>
> Should I try to adjust the bearings?

I think this is the way they are meant to be.

If there is no play when the skewers are done up, then you should not
need to adjust them.
If you adjust the bearings so that there is no play when the wheel is
not on the bike, then it will be too tight once you put the wheel on,
and do up the skewer.

Martin.

 

[Pete Biggs]

Mark Drayton wrote:
> Hi
>
> I have some new 2008 Campagnolo Neutron wheels which are lovely but
> both seem to have picked up a bit of bearing play in the 500 or so
> miles I've done on them so far. It's quite hard to quantify the exact
> extent of the play but I can see the rear axle move (a small amount)
> if I 'waggle' it side-to-side. The front has a touch less play. Doing
> the quick release skewers up tight (not *ultra* tight, but
> pretty-damn- tight) is enough to take up the slack.
>
> Should I try to adjust the bearings?

Yes if you want the skewers slightly less tight. It's dead easy with these
hubs, and can be done while the wheels are fitted.

Do up the skewer to normal tightness.

Find the adjusting ring on the side of the hub (HB-NE019*). This is locked
with a small screw with an Allen head. With the same Allen key, unlock the
ring and gently turn it clockwise a tiny weeny bit. It will feel stiffer as
play reduces. Tighten the screw to lock the ring and test for play by
pushing and pulling the rim sideways. Repeat until the play just
disappears.

Open the brake calipers to make sure the brake pads are nowhere near the rim
as you test.

If you think you went too far and turned back the ring to start again, any
play may not appear straight away due to sticking. Give the end of the
skewer a sharp tap or ride the bike over a few bumps, then test again for
play.

http://www.campagnolo.com/repository/documenti/en/Neutron-UK-1006.pdf

* http://www.campagnolo.com/repository/documenti/en/spares07_C-0407.pdf -
page 112.

http://www.galeriecharmante.com/LadyCampagnolo.jpg

~PB

 

[Pete Biggs]

Martin wrote:

> I think this is the way they are meant to be.
>
> If there is no play when the skewers are done up, then you should not
> need to adjust them.
>
> If you adjust the bearings so that there is no play when the wheel is
> not on the bike, then it will be too tight once you put the wheel on,
> and do up the skewer.

That's right, but bearing adjustment is needed if the skewer has to be
tighter than normal to get rid of play. I don't know if Mark's "pretty
damn tight" is tighter than good.

A bit of play can develop as the hub wears in, or shortly after it has been
serviced.

Mark, have the skewers as tight as possible *within reason*, then adjust the
bearings if necessary. Get advice from a bike shop or other riders in
person if you want a second opinion on how tight the skewers should be.
That's something that can't be described over the internet.

~PB