Replacing bearing on Hunt wheel hub advice please?

Arequipa · 04-08-2025 04:26PM #1

Hi!

I hope you are well.

I have been doing more jobs on my bike(s) & have x2 sets of rim, road Hunt wheels which I really like.

I didnt service one set for years and the actual axle snapped inside the hub.

I bought replacement parts and with great advice from Hunt have been trying to refit the bearings, axle, freehub and caps & managed to do it using a collection of assorted old bearings, an old press and rubber mallet.

I reattached the wheels and noticed an annoying creak and isolated it from the same rear wheel.. so I have taken the parts back out.. the drive side hub (beside the freehub) seems a little gritty...

So I am not sure if I bashed this hub in and damaged it a little..

Do any of you service your wheel hubs or do you leave it to your lbs?

Do you use the proper bearing presses and tools or just an assortment of bodges?

Thank you,

A

nicksnikita · 04-08-2025 07:56PM

You could try and isolate it further by removing the freehub and turning the bearing inside the freehub with your fingers to check if it’s gritty.

Do the same check on the bearings inside the hub. If you were hitting the inner races to install the bearings, then they may be damaged.

If they all feel ok, make sure your freehub is assembled properly - pawls, retaining ring, spacer installed properly etc; or maybe it’s a ratchet type?

Make sure all the bearings and the axle and end caps are seated properly

Is there tension adjustment/preloading on the hub? If there is, maybe it’s done up a bit tight?

Some freehubs are quirky, like Mavics used to have a small washer that sat into the freehub. An exploded diagram of the freehub you’re working on is key if you can get your hands on one.

I service my own wheels but over the years I’ve accumulated all the tools I usually need. Although recently, I had to buy an obscure allen key to remove a Bontrager or Fulcrum freehub..

Arequipa · 04-08-2025 08:50PM

Hi! thanks for the reply.. the customer service in Hunt were very good and gave me good information on the process ..

i might have dinged the inner race when installing it ..

and I must check if the end caos near a torque spec... they attach on threads using allen key wrenches on opposite sides ..

the bearing on the drive side of the hub seems particularly tight... also i noticed slight uneven surface on the ds hub inside where the bearing sits..

I also have a shimano wh r500 hubs with ball bearings and cones.. i am not even going to look at that one yet!

Replacing bearing on Hunt wheel hub advice please?

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