Rebuild a bicycle rear hub

Step 9 Start packing grease

With the freehub core secured to the hub, dip into your grease tub and fill the channel that the bearings sit in. Try to generate a bead of grease within the race, to help keep the bearings in place as you assemble the parts. The grease will act as a binder to keep the bearings in place. You cannot use too much grease at this point, so be liberal with it. You can clean up the excess later.

(in the shot is a can of the BEST nutcracking penetrant I have ever found. Worth finding if you ask me, as it depleted over 100 ft-lbs torque to get this project in motion...)

Don't shy away from globbing the ratchet-ring on the inside of the shell with grease as well....Again, there is no such thing as too much grease at this point...

Comments

[coolpizzadude]

can I use white lithium grease.

[Prometheus]

For the freewheel, you could, but definitely not for the hubs that support your weight. White lithium grease can eventually be washed-away with water, so I'd generally recommend against it if your bike comes in any contact with rain, snow, or water. Don't worry that the wheel-bearing grease is too thick. Once the excess is purged, it'll be fine and last longer. I generally use white lithium to clean bearings rather than for lube, as it is generally too light. to stay put in unsealed bearings.

[callmeshane]

I use "Rough Rider" rear end lube, it's also rubber friendly. It works very well on my shaft, balls and seat.

[Prometheus]

I can't resist....You make it sound so kinky! That post could be taken so many ways I had to stop laughing to respond. It may be a bit juvenile of me, but it's just too funny to leave alone. Well done....Post of the month, you win an internet!

[coolpizzadude]

I used something called bearing grease it's the same color as the grease you're using and it's thick.

[Prometheus]

If it's REALLY thick and a dark-coffee color, you might have the same grease. It's best to use new grease though, so you know what you are getting. What I used was "Sta-Lube Hi-Temp Disc-Brake Wheel Bearing Grease". Don't use grease that is too old or it may be rotten. The mineral oil separates and allows the grease to congeal inside the bearing and away from where it counts. If it looks as I described, you're prolly using the right grease...

[coolpizzadude]

mines looks identical to carmal and as thick as axle grease.my bike is also a bmx bike.

[Prometheus]

Good enough, you are set, it seems to me you are using the right grease. Be sure to overpack the bearings and then pay attention to the excess that will ooze out. Wipe it up immediately and eventually no more will come out. Wipe the excess away or it might draw dirt into the bearing and actually work against you. It shoudl take only about 10 miles of motion for all the excess grease to be purged, and then you can forget about it for another 500 miles at the least, if not 5000 miles... Enjoy

[scraptopower]

It's the rain that trashes bearing grease. If you only ride in the dry, the grease will outlive the bike :)