my bearings are suddenly noisy...

[TheObieOne3226]

i was hoping down some stairs today when i heard an extremely loud pop
eminate from the hub area of my uni. when i got home i took of the main
caps and checked it out(i also had to bend my frame a lil it was
widening at the legs) anyway i put the uni back together and spun the
wheel. there was a very faint little cliking noise coming from the
bearings. the wheel still spun fine but i checked it out anyway. i
retookapart the uni and removed all of this gunk from the bearing
holders. it still makes the noise. any ideas what it might be and a
solution? lube maybe? it has nothing to do with the holders rubbing
anywhere and the main caps arent too tight so thats not it.

they are the stock bearings that come on a suzue hub.


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[john_childs]

It sounds like it's time to replace your bearings.

Bearings don't last forever. The harder you ride, and the dirtier the
conditions, the faster the bearings will wear out. I replace the
bearings on my muni at least once per year. The bearings on my
freestyle unicycle last longer because I don't ride my freestyle
unicycle through the mud.

It's not too difficult to replace the bearings. If you're handy with
tools you can do it yourself. Roger has a 'Bearing Changing FAQ'
(http://www.unicycle.uk.com/faq.asp?iCategory=33#39).

You can take the uni to a bike shop and have them do it. But if you
have several unicycles it is cost effective to learn to do it yourself
and to get the tools necessary to do it yourself.

Unicycle.com USA has a 'bearing puller'
(http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=419). They also sell
the bearings that you'll need. If you don't already have a 'crank
puller' (http://www.unicycle.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=421) you'll
need that too.

The only thing I'd add to Rogers info on changing bearings is that it is
a good idea to use Loctite or Permatex sleeve retainer when you replace
the bearings. The sleeve retainer will "glue" the bearing in place on
the hub. It will keep the bearing from slipping. It's not a permanent
bond. You'll still be able to pull the bearing off later when it's time
to replace it. NAPA and other auto parts stores carry the sleeve
retainer. Here's a link to the stuff on the Permatex web page:
'Permatex sleeve retainer' (http://tinyurl.com/zlsq). You don't need to
use the sleeve retainer, but it is helpful to use it especially if you
jump around on the uni or pedal hard with it.

The other tool you'll need is a short section of pipe to press the
bearing on with. You'll need something with approximately the same
Inside Diameter and Outside Diameter as the inner race (the inner metal
ring) of the bearing. A short section of a 22.2 mm unicycle seatpost is
approximately the right size. Be careful not to put any pressure on the
bearing seal as you press it on. The bearing "guts" are very fragile,
and putting pressure on the seal damage the bearing.

It's an easy operation. Your unicycle will enjoy it.


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[jagur]

TheObieOne3226 wrote:
> * my bearings are suddenly noisy...*
So are my knee's.


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[U-Turn]

jagur wrote:
> *So are my knees. *
We must have the same brand, then. :(


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[harper]

JC is right, replace the bearings. If you can take the bearings apart
(sealed bearings are not easy to take apart) you will probably find that
one of the balls has broken in half. That was very likely the pop you
heard. The two halves are held nicely together by the other balls and
the two races but will now wear very quickly. That's the clicking you
hear.


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B L U E S H I F T

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[TheObieOne3226]

thanks but i dont think i broke any of the bearings. you may be right,
but it doesnt sound like the broken bearings ive heard before. i know
how to change them so i probably will anyway, but im angryu that i have
to wait a week for shipping. i think ill oreder two sets.


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[harper]

TheObieOne3226 wrote:
> * im angryu that i have to wait a week for shipping.*


You should be able to find an automotive outlet or bearing retailer in
Philly that stocks them where you can go and pick them up. Or, order
them from 'McMASTER-CARR' (http://www.mcmaster.com/), they usually
deliver much more quickly and are cheaper. Are they 6203 bearings? If
so, they're about as common as they come.


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[wobbling bear]

harper wrote:
> *
> ...If so, they're about as common as they come. Double sealed ABEC-1
> 6203 bearings ..... *


a strange question: does it exists something like "light" bearings
with a huge inner diameter. by huge I mean something like 30cm for
inner
diameter and small witdh that may lead to an outside diameter such as
33/34
is it possible to imagine a "thin" and light bearing with such a
dimension?
don't they use such things for washing machines?
any hint appreciated.

thanks
bear


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[juergen_brauckmann]

Bear,

are you dreaming of a single-bear-, ups, single-bearing-unicycle with
full-metal tire? :-)

http://www.skf.com has a nice online catalog.

Their lightest "big" bearing seems to be
"Needle roller bearing AXK 160200", inner diameter 160mm, outer diameter
200mm, 0.25kg.

The large diameter ball bearings are all above 10kg. Should give a nice
fly-wheel effect, even if not all of the mass is moving :-)

Regards,
Juergen


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[U-Turn]

> *Bear,
>
> are you dreaming of a single-bear-, ups, single-bearing-unicycle with
> full-metal tire? :-)
>
> http://www.skf.com has a nice online catalog.
>
> Their lightest "big" bearing seems to be
>
> ...
>
> The large diameter ball bearings are all above 10kg. *
So much for: "The Unbearable Lightness of Bearing"!












:rolleyes:


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[wobbling bear]

juergen_brauckmann wrote:
> *are you dreaming of a single-bear-, ups, single-bearing-unicycle with
> full-metal tire? :-)
> *

no, absolutely not....

I've seen the skf catalog before but that is not the style of bearings I
wish
these are for heavy duty BIG things.
I do not see why a 300mm bearing should weight *that* much
if you do not use it for heavy machinery.
how much weights a standard bearings? 10 times that weight would be
ok for the use I dream of.

bear


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[TheObieOne3226]

thanks for the help everyone. the bearings are the ones unicycle.com
lists as generic. they are on a suzue. 40mm.

thanks. if any of you can help more...http://tinyurl.com/2xvgf


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