A change of parts pushes you for more repairs and improvement; NB DO NOT WADE YOUR BIKE IN THE FLOODWATERS NOR WATER THEM HUBS WHEN CLEANING

Wheels of Happiness


After I installed the CY rb tires, I experienced difficulty with its continuous rotation, Theres seems to be a bike rub.  Solution.  I tried reinstalling and centering the wheelset with the weight on the wheels.  The problem was solved.

This post then regreased the:  sealed hub bearings.  They were last regreased 6 months ago.   Now the bearings are as good as new  Maybe they will last for the next 10 years.

Just avoid wading the bike in flood waters.  Or watering the same when cleaning the bike

Removal and reinstallation of sealed bearings

Wheels of Happiness

Servicing sealed bearings

Wheels of Happiness

Most people say that the disadvantage of sealed bearing is that it is disposable.  And so I thought until I read an article or YT re sealed bearings. Unless there is a wobble or looseness in the hub or concerned bearing, I think this operation is possible to save the bearing.  

It happened that two bikes both rb developed whining and other sounds at the  rear hub.  Naturally the bearings are suspect.   One had two 6802 bearings and I was able to buy only one (the last remaining unit) at P200.00 .  However this were available at Lazada for only P200.00 for ten.  Sayang.

The other bike hub had grating sound when free wheeling.  Naturally the bearing is suspect 

I did not have to have the bearing removed nor replaced.  This post simply followed the advice.

1.  Pry  off the red or blue seal cover (with the bearing installed)with a sharp pointed cutter.

2.  When the bearing becomes visible inspect for grit or rust.   Spray WD 40 or other solvent to remove rust and grit.

3.  Put low density grease or even oil for chain to have lube inside the bearing.   

4.  Reinstall the seals.   

For me the grating sound and rough rotation were solved by this operation.   

Bearing stories - buying bearing cartridges too early

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

4.22.2021

Regreasing the sealed bearing cartridge of a headset.

About 3 months ago, the wheelset of my carbon fiber P bike developed a humming grating sound at the rear wheel.  I brought this to the mechanic and he ruled a bearing "palitin"  case.  All that remained was to determine the bearing number.

Unfortunately too the carbon part of the wheel also had deep gouge marks due too hard carbon brake pads.  The controversial repair (which cost a lot of PHP) was finished and the next thing to be accomplished is the defective hub with sounds.

Last Saturday, I brought the bike to the LBS to determine the  correct bearing number.   The numbers are hard to read but I guessed it to be 6802 (as the hubset is Novatec) and is the most common bearing for hubs.  It is 6802!

And so I went to the bearing center in the next town.  (The travel took nearly 2 hours - a distance of only 20 km because of the horrendous traffic due to diversion.

The bearing cost me P200.00 (up from P130.00 a year ago)   The problem is that there was only 1 piece remaining and there was no sure restock timeline.

I searched at an e commerce store, and found the 6802 to be only P160.00 for a set of 10.  I had these ordered Tuesday.   

6802 bearings

However I watched a video on how sealed bearing could be regreased.   You simply pry off the steel rubber cover of the bearing (either black, red, or blue)   You use a pointed cutter to pry off the seal (hence the sealed bearing)

This post experimented with the MTB and was able to do this successfully on front and rear wheels.  For the MTB the drive side bearings were toast and looked rusted.   So it was kind of challenge to remove the dirty grease inside the cartridge.  I had to spray WD 40 and soak the bearings and turn the wheel on the side to remove the rusty solution.   Then, instead of grease I placed light oil and replaced the seals.   (The bearing number is 6001

Then I tried this on the carbon wheel.  (where the 6802 were)    There were 4 bearings that needed attention.   2 on the drive side (the axle) and 2 in the hub set.    The drive side bearings were problematic - one on the axle and two on the hub.    The drive bearing was rusted, the  hub bearings were dry.   They may be causing the humming grating sound.  And so I placed again light oil and grease.  It was also the chance to clean the pawls and their springs and again placed light oil (instead of grease) so that it wont get stuck. 

Now I dont think I need the bearings anymore.  Wastage of about P400.00

Knowing something new could be costly

The take away from this article is:

1,  You must service your sealed bearing periodically.  A sealed bearing is not something that runs perpetually.  It needs to be lubricated.

2.  It can be done even while still on the wheel by peeling of the metallic plastic or rubber seal.

     Once the bearing in cages can be seen, you can clean the bearing and lubricate this.  Demo shows

     that light lubed bearings are faster and efficient.  All you need is a pointed tip of a cutter.

So next question, what do I do with th 6802 bearing I ordered.