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My RF Turbine cranks (30mm axle) are not spinning freely in my 2.5 year old Hope threaded BB. I'm borrowing a BB tool to get the cups off but don't have the bearing drift tool thingy (or the new bearings yet). Is it folly to try to do without a proper tool or even a vice? I think I probably know the answer to this...it's bikeshop time isn't it...
Sorry, just thought of a couple more questions!...can they be cleaned out and regreased or is it def a bin and replace job? I know they are 42x30x7: what's a good alternative to Hope's own bearings? Cheers
TWO......AND A HALF.....YEARS!!!! What black magic have you employed to achieve this?
They shouldn't be too hard to do. I've drifted out bearings with a punch/large flat blade screwdriver before. If they're knackered then a bit of superficial damage to the old ones won't matter so long as you don't belt the BB cups.
Putting them back in, I do have the tool for my PF46 (which was used to install it) but a large diameter threaded rod and correctly sized penny washers or socket and nuts would probably do the bearings just as well.
No need to remove the cups from the frame.
The bearings should just pop out with a light tap from behind with a screwdriver or drift.
Google the bearings, I bought some Zen ones from a local stockists for £6 each, pop the seals off with a thin blade or feeler gauge being careful not to knick the seal and pack with grease.
Bearings are a doddle to replace.
-Stick bearing cups in a mug of hot water, this will make knocking the bearings out easier.
-Support the bearing cup on the OD (I balance it on the soft jaws on the vice)
-Find a socket that rests against the inner bearing race
-Tap the bearing out, with it being hot, the aluminium expands more than the steel which makes it easier.
-New mug of hot water, stick empty BB cups in
-Find a socket which is big enough to pass through the bearing race of the bb cup, slightly smaller than the OD of the bearing, when you go to press the bearing in, you should never strike the inner race, you will damage the bearing.
-Take cups out, dry and grease the inner part where the bearing is going, just a thin layer
-Stick the bb cup in the soft jaws on the vice, dont go cranking it down, just enough to stop them sliding about, the edge of the bb cup is resting against the top of the soft jaws.
-Line the bearing up and tap it home, it won't need much force with the heated cup.
In fact I have some adapter parts that are not needed for a different model of Hope BB that I forgot to return to CRC when I ordered in error. They may have the "washer" part you need. I'll try and look them out over lunch time.
I know people who've used the old bearing, a bit of wood and a quick clamp to press in a new bearing.
Just buy the kit or ask a friend with a laithe. It's a brilliant but of kit and makes it so easy.
You can usually pick them up 2nd hand as people have bought pf bb.
I pop mine out, pull seals off and clean and grease. Keep them going for years.