How to maintain mountain bike hubs

How to maintain mountain bike hubs

If your MTB hub hub contains sealed bearings, you won't need to maintain them, but simply replace them when they become defective. On the other hand, hubs with cone/cuvette bearings require regular maintenance to preserve their original performance. Here's how to do it on your MOUNTAIN BIKE.

 

  • Weather : 1h30
  • Level : Difficult
  • Tools : Taper wrench set | Flat wrench (on most hubs, 17 mm) | Cloth | Degreaser | Bearing grease

Steps

We recommend you carry out this operation once or twice a year, depending on the frequency and intensity of your outings.

  1. Hold the hub cone in place with the cone wrench, then unlock the lock nut with the open-end wrench.
  2. Unscrew and remove the locknut, washer, spacer and cone. Probikeshop tip Note the order and direction of assembly of these components.
  3. Pull the now free axle out of the hub. Probikeshop tip: be careful, the balls may fall out of the hub at this point.
  4. Remove all balls from the hub and clean all components with a cloth and degreaser. Take this opportunity to check the condition of all these parts.
  5. Grease the ball seats.
  6. Replace the balls in the cups.
  7. Refit the axle, then the cone, spacer, washer and nut assembly. Probikeshop tip: make sure the balls stay in place when you retract the axle.
  8. Now adjust the play in the axle and the smoothness of the bearing using the cone. Tightening it with the wrench will eliminate play, while loosening it will improve smoothness. The key is to find the right setting to eliminate backlash while maintaining good bearing smoothness.
  9. When the setting is correct, hold the cone in position with the wrench, then screw on the locknut to secure it.
  10. Check that the setting is correct. Repeat step 8 if necessary, having first released the lock nut.

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