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So I bought some 2nd hubs off here ages ago and only noticed that the front is notchy when turning it. Assuming it's bearings and nothing more sinister?
Is it an easy job to replace the bearings, and which ones should I get and what tools are needed?
Thanks.
Front hubs are basically just tubes with bearings in, so yeah, that's about all it can be. Not all DT hubs use the same bearings but it's all basically the same approach- take end caps off, whack out bearings, whack in bearings, put end caps back. Tools I use are sockets, a hammer, and some sort of pokey thing- usually I use the rear axle from a year 2000 Suzuki SV650, but other pokey things are available.
Is it still notchy in the bike or just when turned by hand?
Well designed hubs are are meant to work best under compression they can feel a bit rough out of the bike but fine in it.
If they're still rough on the bike then, yup, new bearings.
Is it still notchy in the bike or just when turned by hand?
Didn't konw this...Turning by hand so it might be ok then?
Nothwind, cheers. Will have a look to see if I have a pokey drift thing. Would a deep socket work do you think? Probably not long enough maybe....I have seen some hub toolsets on ebay but in US so with postage and duty reckon they work out to £40+ so not sure.
Notchy and rough are def 2 different things.
I've pulled notchy bearings out that have felt perfect once no longer in compression in the hub shell.
I've put new bearings back in and had them feel notchy once rotated on the axle by hand.
You don’t need a particularly long drift to get the axle and bearings out so a socket will do the job. Start by knocking from the rotor side to push the drive side bearing out the turn the axle around the repeat the process for the other side.
Just a thought but are you actually turning the bearings or just the end caps? I’ve not had dt240’s so I’d imagine they’re really well built - but I just bought a superstar V6 for a cheap front wheel build and when you turn the end caps they rotate in the hub without moving the bearing (feels rough).
If you push inwards as you turn them
they then engage the bearing (like they would in the fork when compressed by the axle) and feel lovely and smooth.
granny_ring
SubscriberNothwind, cheers. Will have a look to see if I have a pokey drift thing. Would a deep socket work do you think? Probably not long enough maybe
Might be long enough but you're better with something narrow and long (easier to get angle on the bearing, and easier to hit it with the hammer without destroying your fingers) Screwdriver is probably the best tool that most people have in the house.
I had the same problem with these hubs but on road wheels. Brand new and the wheel would barely turn. Thinking it was the bearings I ordered some new ones and knocked out the old.
The old ones were smooth so I pressed them back in. Badly notchy.
I presumed the hub bearing diameter had been machined too small so crushing the bearing.Plenty of time with some wet and dry and pressing and removing the bearings until I removed most of the notchiness.Then I fitted the new bearings.Not a good recommendation for expensive hubs.
You can always put an extension bar on a deep socket and make it as long as you want..or as above, just use the axle.
Careful when drifting out with the axle though as you can damage the tube ends and then it's borked.
Cheers folks, maybe I'll fit the wheel in the fork and see how it feels first.
So screwdriver to knock the bearings out and sockets to refit bearings then?
I wouldn’t go anywhere near using a screwdriver to get the bearings out. The official DT Swiss service video and a World Cup Pits video on the DT Swiss support truck both show removal using the axle and I did the same in a Bontrager (DT made) front hub yesterday morning and it was a breeze.
I used the metal piece of a star nut setting tool which was perfect but a large bolt with a head larger than the axle (threaded piece inside the axle) would work well too.
Chad here using a removal insert tool to hammer the axle / bearing out
I mentioned the tools further up in the thread, there are copies on Ebay for £40odd but I do have a start nut setting tool so will have a look at that if I need to removed them cheers
What to use refitting the bearings if not the proper tools?
Links to tool kits
And for the rear.
A socket will work to fit the new bearings. Use one that sits properly on the outer casing of the bearing. Too small and it’ll compress the dust seal.
Right I'll have a butchers cheers st.
Part of me also wants to get the proper tools to add to the collection of tools that hardly get used 🙂