salmon wrote:
> I'm getting a irritating ticking from my front wheel when I'm going
> along. When I spin the wheel without any weight it doesn't occur. I am
> suspicious that it may be the bearings. Can I just repack them with
> grease, or do I need to replace the ballbearings?
Balls only need replacing if they look dull. Also inspect the cups and
cones for pits (dimples).
> Any help would be
> appreciated. Also, when I re-tighten the cones, how do you determine
> the correct tightness? Thank you.
Have them only just tight enough for there not to be any play when the wheel
is fitted. Feel for play (lateral looseness) by pushing pulling wheel
sideways. Have the brake blocks well out of the way to save confusion.
Deliberately start off with some play, then tighten in small amounts until
it's gone.
With a quick-release wheel, the quick release when closed compresses the
axle, reducing the play slightly. So a properly adjusted QR wheel will have
some play when the QR is undone. If you want perfection, they'll be a trace
of play when the QR is *half* undone.
As well as minimising drag, good adjustment like this will make your hubs
last a long time.
Find "Cone Adjustment" instructions on
www.sheldonbrown.com. The trick on
using two locknut spanners or two cone spanners at the same time to fine
tune is particularly brilliant and saves a lot of trouble.
Take care not to over-tighten the locknuts. The axle/nut threads will strip
fairly easiliy.
All the above assumes conventional type of bearings that Shimano and old
Campag use, for example. Cartridge bearings and modern-Chorus-type bearings
are very different.
~PB
