Ordinary hardware store washers might flex when you tighten the bearings into place and I'm not certain you would get the bearings firmly seated in the wheel?

Perhaps you would, but if they are a few thou away from being seated then the balls will be sideloaded when you tighten the assembly, and that will wear them fast.

But, since you said you got xx,xxx thousand miles out of the last set, I guess it's working OK.

At least with the gentle hammer and race method, when the bearings seat, the change in the "ring" lets you know 100% that they are seated ALL the way. In my experience, of course.

YMMV.

Ordinary hardware store washers might flex when you tighten the bearings into place and I'm not certain you would get the bearings firmly seated in the wheel?

Heh, there are three steel washers on each side if that helps    I was hesitant to do must more than a quick scrape in the seat area for the bearings. Should the seat in hub be mirror clean?

Perhaps you would, but if they are a few thou away from being seated then the balls will be sideloaded when you tighten the assembly, and that will wear them fast.

But, since you said you got xx,xxx thousand miles out of the last set, I guess it's working OK.

Yep, 130,000 so for with the bearings changed twice. I don't have a problem replacing them if I'm doing something wrong though. I'm considering it just to get the proper bearings anyway. It's not an onerous task by any means.

At least with the gentle hammer and race method, when the bearings seat, the change in the "ring" lets you know 100% that they are seated ALL the way. In my experience, of course.

I'm with you on that. And it is the experience that we're going by here. Mine was with the threaded rod and washers.

Carl

Quote from: Black Hills on May 12, 2014, 10:01:08 AM

easiest way I have found to install bearing is to put them in the freezer overnight. then heat the hub with a propane torch and they should drop right in, sometimes a little tap around the edge with a wooden dowel is needed.

as for the failure since it is a street bike I assume you haven't been riding it through water above the axle? do you wash it with a high pressure wand? if so you may want to stay away from he bearings in the future.

I did the freezer thing letting them sit for a week. They were slipping around though when I was trying to get them into the hub

And no on the ride through water above the axle and don't use a high pressure wand. I do ride in the rain and snow though.

In this case the left side is the one that failed. On the last pair, the right side failed. Don't know if it makes a difference, thought I'd mention it.

Carl

hmm.. that does seem odd?

Quote from: Black Hills on May 12, 2014, 10:01:08 AM

easiest way I have found to install bearing is to put them in the freezer overnight. then heat the hub with a propane torch and they should drop right in, sometimes a little tap around the edge with a wooden dowel is needed.

This.  I never bothered with the torch though, just left the wheel sitting in the sun to heat prior to assembly. Dropped right in.

LT

yep. if you are quick (and have them lined up right) it is way simple.

Why heat the hub when inserting the bearings? Wouldn't you also want the hub cold so there is more room to get the bearings in there?

Great thread by the way. It really is all ball bearings these days...

 _Dan

Heat expands, cold contracts. Make the bearing smaller, and the hole in the hub bigger, so the 'fit' has more room-until the temps equalize.