loose bearings

Whealie

Wing Commander
Staff member
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The wheel bearings on my rear simply do not fit snugly. Is there anything I can do, short of ditching the hub and getting a new one?

I bought the hub secondhand and had the wheel built. The bearings have gone a couple of times over the 13,000 miles but recently it has got worse and worse, such that brand new ones don't fit.

 

Philwhiskeydrinker

Well-Known Member
You could try a centre punch around the hub to deform where the outer race sits in, it'll need to be reasonably uniform, much as I abide the stuff, seat the bearing with bearing lock.
Make sure the centre spacer hasn't worn as thats a sure -fire way to wreck bearings pdq.
 

Lutin

Administrator
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It may be possible to machine the hub to either accept a slightly larger outside diameter bearing or to fit a sleeve to accept an original diameter bearing. Only way to find out is to have a chat with an Engineer/Machinist.

All Bike Engineering are in Greenwich - that's not too far from you, is it? If they can't do it, then I hopefully they'll put you onto someone who can.
 

Whealie

Wing Commander
Staff member
Forum Supporter
You could try a centre punch around the hub to deform where the outer race sits in, it'll need to be reasonably uniform, much as I abide the stuff, seat the bearing with bearing lock.
Make sure the centre spacer hasn't worn as thats a sure -fire way to wreck bearings pdq.
The outer part is tight (where the seal fits) but there is a definite ridge where the bearing has moved and worn away the hub, so it is tight to get in and out but once in rattles all over the place.
 

boboneleg

Well-Known Member
Forum Supporter
I had this problem with my first DR350 and was recommended this stuff from a Caterpillar Trucks engineer, it was called 'bearing mount'

You spread some onto the face of the hub, fit the bearing and then let it set, it used to work well. It can be a bit tough when you have to remove the bearing once it's worn but a bit of heat used to work to get it out.

The Caterpillar product reference is 4C-4032 but I can't find it anywhere online, however Loctite make a similar product .......... Loctite 641 - 10ml - Bearing Fit
 

Whealie

Wing Commander
Staff member
Forum Supporter
I had this problem with my first DR350 and was recommended this stuff from a Caterpillar Trucks engineer, it was called 'bearing mount'

You spread some onto the face of the hub, fit the bearing and then let it set, it used to work well. It can be a bit tough when you have to remove the bearing once it's worn but a bit of heat used to work to get it out.

The Caterpillar product reference is 4C-4032 but I can't find it anywhere online, however Loctite make a similar product .......... Loctite 641 - 10ml - Bearing Fit
I will give it a try.
 

Lowflyer

Well-Known Member
I had the same trouble a while back Chris.
Tried the pinching with a sharp chisel
Tried the loctite etc

No great success I'm afraid.
In saying that, the loctite seemed to work ok --- until I went off road, then back to square one.

If the bike is your only mode of transport, then I would try the loctite route, purely for mild on road stuff until you can source a second hand hub, that's what I did and worked for me.
There are guys out there recommending turning the hub interior to get a bigger OD bearing -- don't go there, you weaken the wall of the hub, Mr Honda knows best !!

Hope this helps.
 

Whealie

Wing Commander
Staff member
Forum Supporter
I had the same trouble a while back Chris.
Tried the pinching with a sharp chisel
Tried the loctite etc

No great success I'm afraid.
In saying that, the loctite seemed to work ok --- until I went off road, then back to square one.

If the bike is your only mode of transport, then I would try the loctite route, purely for mild on road stuff until you can source a second hand hub, that's what I did and worked for me.
There are guys out there recommending turning the hub interior to get a bigger OD bearing -- don't go there, you weaken the wall of the hub, Mr Honda knows best !!

Hope this helps.
I've a spare wheel on the other bike (both had 18" conversions) so have ordered a new tyre for that just in case (it has a stupidly aggressive knobbly on it, which is no use for my mainstream riding - I slid round the M25 in the summer so heaven help me in the winter).

I will try the loctite and, if that fails, get a new hub and have the wheel rebuilt.
 
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