Fix your bike. Grease your bearings and change your freewheel.

Most people don't realize this, but your bike needs maintenance. Your axle bearings needs to be cleaned and repacked with grease every 500 miles (100 on a mountain bike).
This instructable shows how to repack your axle bearings and install a new freewheel body (if you need one).

Step 1: Remove the wheel from your bike.

If you don't know how to do this much already, this may be too big a job for you at this point.

Comments

[sdeshaies]

I use the new Bearing App for Android its called BearingCalc..You can get it on Google play. Its helps figure out bearings..Well worth the 2 bucks!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oko.okocalc&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5va28ub2tvY2FsYyJd

[jtmax24]

Thanks for this wonderful instructable. This has really helped me a lot.

[jorgechoy]

Hi Marsh,

The instructions are great. I am wondering whether you can provide a list of recommended tools such as type of spanners and so on.

Looking forward to hearing from you…..

Jorge

[pchretien]

This is hell of a great ible! I have to change the bearings on my rear wheel and didn't know where to start! Winter with the snow and salt is terrible on the mechanic! Thanks again for sharing ...

[coolpizzadude]

will white lithium grease is what I used on my bike is that ok?

[mcflyalright]

white lithium grease if fine.

[struckbyanarrow]

it doesn't last too long though...

[zilcho]

I just did this to both wheels on my old bike and it really makes a difference. The marine axle grease i bought was a strange turquoise color so I hope thats ok.

[Bearclaw_Michael]

I put grease fittings on my wheels a few years ago. I found it makes a huge difference, it keeps my bike roling smooth and quiet by keeping it properly lubricated. (Cell Phone Pic in Poor Lighting) But I'm sure you get the idea.

[sharlston]

How did you do that?

[Bearclaw_Michael]

Hi,
Sorry I didn't get back with you sooner but I have been on vacation and that included staying away from the computer.
It was really just a matter of pulling out the axle bolt, then I drilled a hole in the hub housing and threaded it with a tap for the grease fitting.
If there is a trick it's getting in between the spokes with the drill, depending on your wheel and your drill you might need to use a short drill bit or even a right angle drill made for tight spots.
Other than that it is pretty simple and it really does make a big difference.

Thanks for asking

[sharlston]

thanks for the info,how do you get grease into their? im guessing a syringe?

[Bearclaw_Michael]

Those are zerk grease fittings like on a car, so you use a regular grease gun to pump the grease in.

[airsofter1]

 Can you replace a six speed cog with a seven or eight speed cog?

[Marsh]

 Probably not because a 6 speed is going to be a freewheel and a 7 or 8 speed is going to be a cassette. You can change the back wheel easily enough, the you'll have to change the derailer and shifter too.

[sharlston]

How do i tell between the two?

[Marsh]

By counting the number of cogs.

[guitarisnice]

Great tortal you got here thanks a lot. You done great work on this one. One question: Is there a easy way to find the right casett for my bike? Need a new one but dont know how to find the right one, I guess they are not standar. There are 8 chains holders or what you call it.

[mcflyalright]

just to note that newer bikes used sealed bearings (like skateboard wheels) so this might not make sense for your bike.

[sharlston]

wrong theres no such thing as sealed bearings for bikes theyre either like a real bearing with rubber seals which would be shielded or there would be a cone on the thread of the hub which are standard for many bikes now

[Marsh]

 This is only true for higher quality bikes which make up a very small percentage of what is out there (at this time).

[sharlston]

my rear wheel makes a really loud ticking noise when im pedalling and its really stiff

[Marsh]

 The bearings are way too tight and you may have some broken ballsin there now.

[sharlston]

can it still be ridden?

[Marsh]

 Yes, but it will destroy the wheel as you ride. Did you follow thelubrication instructions? If so, try loosening the bearing cone nuts.Sounds such as you describe indicate a very bad situation, but if youcatch it soon enough, cleaning, adjustment and lube should take care of it.

[sharlston]

could you decribe how to remove the nuts near the wheel not the forks in a bit more becuase i havent got the special tools to do it and i dont know how

[Marsh]

Step 5 describes this. While not impossible, it is very difficult without the proper tools. The cassette removal tool is only about $7.00 at your local bike shop (if it's much more than that, find a different shop).

[sharlston]

i dont need to remove the caseete becuase om greasing them on my front wheel i need to take the nuts off

[Marsh]

All that is required for the front are thin wrenches. Once again, very inexpensive at your local bike shop. It occurs to me you may not be dealing with a Quick Release wheel.
This instructable is kinda' short on pix, but may be of some help to you...
http://www.instructables.com/id/Properly-packadjust-bicycle-hub-bearings/

[sharlston]

i managed with 2 adjustable wrenches ive got a draper bike toolkit how much do i tighten the rear gear stack thing?

[sharlston]

no im dealing with my bmx

[chat doc]

the only close-ups which aren't blured, or shot with a good light are at step 9. Yet, this kind of instructable could be really good, if good pics with the good content.

[sharlston]

do you really need to do it every 100miles on a mountain bike ive had my bike for 4 years now and traveled inexess of 700 miles and never greased them once and today i eventually greased them and it turns out the old grease is still there so i filled the whole hub with grease

[Marsh]

I ride mine a minimum of 20 miles a week and in as little as 50 miles I feel justified in repacking the grease. If I go 300, it's way overdue. You may have better seals and beyond that, sealed cartridge bearings eliminate the need to do anything at all.

[sharlston]

well i took it apart today to have a look and its just a standard cone the bikes a appolo fs.26 its a pretty cheeap bike

[junkyjunkerson]

Pictures 2-4....TOO FUNNY!

[Marsh]

The situation demanded a comment.

[pjax]

greasy hands on the brake discs. ouch!

[Marsh]

Ok, we've seen your admonition. What's your resolution? Mine is to clean the rotor (that's what that disc is called) off before putting the wheel back on, but I really want to hear your take on it.

[pjax]

oh yeah. rotors. the name slipped my mind yes, one should definitely clean the rotors if you get grease on it (i was hoping you'd mention that on your post.. :D constructive criticism) my take? don't get grease on it on the first place! clean your hands/avoid touching the rotors