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riding home last night and i heard a metallic grinding from the front wheel...when i got home i checked the noise again by giving the wheel a spin and it sounds like the hub bearings have finally died...
i would like to have a go at replacing the bearings myself but i'm not sure how to remove the end caps...should they pull straight out or do i need to use a drift punch or some other specialist tool to get them off??
the hub in question is a WTB LaserDisc DH 20mm...as in the image below...
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is there a circlip holding the end cap in place?
Oddly enough, you can download service instructions with exploded-view drawings from WTB [url= http://www.wtb-bike.eu/data/support/ServiceLDLiteV6.pdf ]HERE[/url]... 🙄
i couldnt see any circlips in place and they wont come out with just a tug as the instructions on WTB's website suggests...they have a bit of play in them but once the axle is tightened up this disappears...
this is what WTB say:
5. Disassembling the hubs
For the front hub, pull the End Caps (3) out of the hub. The “O” Ring (3) should stay on the end cap and pull off with it. The Locator Sleeve (5) May pull out with the End Cap; but if it does not, pull it out as well. This will expose the Cartridge Bearings (4). Floating between the bearings is a hollow tube, the Front Axle (sleeve) (2) that acts as the axle. Push the Front Axle to the side with a drift punch or a small screwdriver, so that the opposite inner bearing race is visible through
the bearing. Carefully, using a small flat end drift punch, tap on the inner bearing race. This will drive out the bearing. You can then remove the opposite bearing in the same way.
Use a set of hose pliers or footprints to grip the end caps but make sure you pad them well to avoid distortion/damage.It's surprising how tight a fit an O-ring can make.
thanks john i'll try that when i get home... 🙂
Also worth checking the rotor doesn't overhang the ring, i've been caught out on similar type hubs before.