important: Nuts and bolts on your bike should always be tightened to the manufacturer's specifications.

How to Overhaul Wheel Bearings

Overhaul a hub, replace and grease the wheel bearings, and adjust the cones.

This tutorial will demonstrate how to grease your wheel bearings. For this job you’ll need some rags, waterproof grease, and a 17mm open-end wrench. You’ll also need a 13mm cone wrench for a front hub, and a 15mm cone wrench for a rear hub. When overhauling a hub, you should always replace the ball bearings. Most front hubs need 10 3/16″ bearings per side, while rear hubs usually need 9 1/4″ bearings.

Dis-Assemble Hub

If you’re overhauling the rear hub, you’ll need to remove the cassette or freewheel before you begin. Carefully remove any seals that may be protecting the cone and locknut.

Place the wheel on its side and slide a cone wrench onto the cone flats, and then loosen the left, or non-drive side locknut by turning it counter-clockwise against the cone wrench. Completely un-thread and remove the cone and locknut, and then slide the axle out from the right side of the hub.

Clean Hub Parts

Clean all of the old grease off of the axle and cones and remove all of the bearings from both sides, making sure to count how many you take out. Then clean the inside of the hub and carefully inspect both the cones and the inner bearing races. If there is any damage such as pitting then the cone and/or hub should be replaced.

Grease Hub and Bearings

Apply a generous layer of grease to both of the hub’s bearing races. Then carefully insert all of the new bearings by pushing them down in the grease. When all of the bearings are installed, there should be about half a bearing space left. Cover all of the bearings with a layer of grease and lightly grease the axle threads.

Re-Assemble Hub

Once the bearings are installed on both sides, carefully slide the axle into hub, making sure the bearings stay in place. Thread the left side cone, washer (if any) and locknut all the way on finger tight.

Adjust Cone and Locknut

Now lay the wheel back on its side and place the cone wrench on the cone. Tighten the locknut against the cone and check to make sure there is no play in the hub, and that the wheel spins freely. You may have to loosen the locknut and repeat the procedure many times before it is correct. Quick release mechanisms tighten the cones slightly, so if you have a quick release axle, you’ll have to leave a slight bit of play in the hub.

Re-install any seals and then put the wheel back on your bike. Finally, check the adjustment again by moving the wheel side to side at the rim. Again, there shouldn’t be play in the wheel, and it should spin smoothly.

Related Links

Recommended Tools

Categories

Discuss this topic in the Bicycle Repairs and Mechanics Forum

Schwinn meridian rear drive axle

Latest post 2 days ago

Recently bought a slightly used 26" meridian trike. While replacing wider tires on the rear, I noticed an issue with the rear drive side wheel hub. The wheel is held on with a nut and single washer. The hub is not held firmly in a location on the axle and is able to slide back and forth on the axle a good half inch even though the nut is tightened all the way down to its bottom threads on the axle...

Read more

Bianchi Oltre Pro Garmin Mount

Latest post 1 week ago

I am wondering if anyone can help me with the garmin mount that came with my recently purchased Bianchi Oltre Pro. I was on a ride descending and the mount flew off, landing in the middle of the road with my garmin head unit. Luckily the head unit still works with a few minor scratches and cracks. From the picture you can see that it was not that the screws came loose, it was in fact the part of ...

Read more

Hello, I'm running an Apex setup on my gravel bike, 40T front to 11-42T back. Could I swap in an 11-46T Shimano cassette (11-speed all round)? Just considering options, as my Apex 11 speed cranks don't go lower than 40T...

Read more

Bearing grease

Latest post 2 weeks ago

found. please del! sorry...

Read more

Broken Bottom Bracket

Latest post 4 weeks ago

After 6,000 or so touring miles, the bottom bracket on my Trek 920 broke. Does anyone know what is compatible for a replacement? If I were to choose to replace the entire drive train, what would be compatible? Finally, if I were to replace the drive train, should I go with a 1x for gravel?...

Read more

Hello, all! Just joined this forum to post this, as I feel like I've looked everywhere online and am going nuts; where would one acquire a replacement for a back-right 26' wheel for a Schwinn Meridian Comfort trike? Mine took a pretty severe hit and suffered multiple broken spokes, and I'm not the most mechanically inclined nor financially comfortable. I figured it wouldn't be that difficult, but...

Read more

Mavic XM319

Latest post 2 months ago

Hello. I have a Mavic XM 319 rear wheel with a 10 speed Shimano/SRAM free hub which I want to convert to 11 speed. Which replacement free hub do I need and will it fit/work? Understand Mavic uses a particular freehub/pawls arrangement so I want to get it right....

Read more

My dad gave me his Scalpel 29 4 2013 and I've been working to get it to a good riding state since it sat unused for a long time and the challenge I'm struggling with is disc brakes rubbing. I learned to gravity bleed the brakes, and in the process I cleaned the bike, the calipers and equipped it with new shimano disc rotors and pads (my dad had uberbike ones, they were a little rusted and I wante...

Read more

Shimano TZ replacement/adapter

Latest post 2 months ago

  20240529_144516.jpg (Size: 40.86 KB / Downloads: 39)   20240731_104315.jpg (Size: 52.87 KB / Downloads: 38)   20240731_104315.jpg (Size: 52.87 KB / Downloads: 38) Hi All: I have been using Shimano and VGsports freewheels on my ebike to get a 34t low gear. The gearing is cool but these hubs suck for beach work, one little splash of salt water and they ar...

Read more

Hello, I'm new here, my dad has given me his 2013 Scalpel 29 4 since he no longer rides and I'm gradually learning how to maintain it because it feels like a bike well worth learning repairs and maintenance for. I'm slowly figuring out what it does and doesn't need to have maintained, what has and hasn't stayed in good condition in the time since he used it. While doing some unrelated work (takin...

Read more

Hi all, I just got a Schwinn Meridian Trike and went on a nice short uneventful ride today - it worked well - and then after doing something else for a bit, I got back on the bike and the pedals wouldnt turn the rear 2 wheels. Both chains seem to be attached and turning, but for some reason the front chain isn’t moving the rear 2 wheels. I don’t understand what could’ve possibly happened. D...

Read more

Sturmey gearing.

Latest post 2 months ago

Hi ... the Sheldon bike calculator does not address changing a 3 speed hub input gear that I could find. Example: 34t crank - 24t input 3 speed - 22t output 3 speed - 28t cassette. I'm getting nowhere trying to juggle 4 gears. Can someone help this tired old biker? Thanks, Zene...

Read more

Bottom bracket

Latest post 2 months ago

I have Shimano BB -UN72 mm110. I’m sure it’s British thread. What is a compatible shimano part number....

Read more

Trike drive.

Latest post 2 months ago

Hi ... odd question, but is there any difference between rear adult trike wheel right or left wheel drive? All are right, but I have the keyway to do either. Not sure why right, must be a good reason. I tend to travel around town counterclockwise. Left drive seems as if it would be better. Thanks, Zene...

Read more

E-Bike Power Goes OUT

Latest post 2 months ago

I have had a ViVi MT20 e-bike for over a year.I recently changed the worn out brake pads. With a fully charged battery, I rode on throttle only for about a mile. After that, the power went completely out. I turned the key on and off. The LED lights came back on. I twisted the throttle and went about 10 feet and the bike completely shut off.again. Any idea what might be the problem? Thank you!...

Read more