Stiff wheel bearings after replacing?

[ishaw]

I've just serviced a set of wheels. Front is fine and buttery smooth, freehub the same, but rear wheel bearings are stiff and I don't know why. It results in the cranks moving when freewheeling and the new chain skipping on the smallest cog too.

It all went together as it came off, the off thing is that with the freehub off, the bearings in the wheel are really stiff, but if I force the axle spacer out of straight, the bearings move more freely. I can't see why as the axle spacer is just a tube of a fixed length.

I fitted the bearings with a drift tool on the outer edge of the bearings so I've not damaged them while fitting.

I've not encountered this before so at a bit of a loss as to what's causing it. I've done so many hope hubs without issue, this hub is a novatec.

Any ideas?

 

[baron von greenback]

I haven't a clue except was the bearing moving smooth before fitted mate

 

[wynne]

I've just serviced a set of wheels. Front is fine and buttery smooth, freehub the same, but rear wheel bearings are stiff and I don't know why. It results in the cranks moving when freewheeling and the new chain skipping on the smallest cog too.

It all went together as it came off, the off thing is that with the freehub off, the bearings in the wheel are really stiff, but if I force the axle spacer out of straight, the bearings move more freely. I can't see why as the axle spacer is just a tube of a fixed length.

I fitted the bearings with a drift tool on the outer edge of the bearings so I've not damaged them while fitting.

I've not encountered this before so at a bit of a loss as to what's causing it. I've done so many hope hubs without issue, this hub is a novatec.

Any ideas?

You sure it's the bearings? Check the seal on the freehub is correctly aligned and seated.

 

[frank.youngman]

I’ve had this happen with numerous Novatec hubs.At the back of the freehub is a small spacer whose sole purpose appears to be to space the freehub off by about 1mm to avoid binding when the wheel is tightened into place.This spacer is not stuck in place and I have a horrible tendency to lose it when taking the freehub off.The spacer is in addition to the one between the freehub bearings.SJS can supply replacements if necessary.Bearings can be stiff when new but will free off quite quickly.

 

[ishaw]

I haven't a clue except was the bearing moving smooth before fitted mate

Yes they were, brand new and not cheap eBay ones. They still appear smooth if I receive the pressure from the axle spacer tube bit.

 

[ishaw]

You sure it's the bearings? Check the seal on the freehub is correctly aligned and seated.

Pretty sure as they are tight with the freehub and axle removed.

 

[ishaw]

I’ve had this happen with numerous Novatec hubs.At the back of the freehub is a small spacer whose sole purpose appears to be to space the freehub off by about 1mm to avoid binding when the wheel is tightened into place.This spacer is not stuck in place and I have a horrible tendency to lose it when taking the freehub off.The spacer is in addition to the one between the freehub bearings.SJS can supply replacements if necessary.Bearings can be stiff when new but will free off quite quickly.

Interesting, I don't recall removing a spacer and the wheel was working ok before I stripped it down, cleaned it up and fitted new bearings.

Where did this spacer sit down you know?

Would fitting it all back together without it cause the bearings to get damaged and go stiff?

As it goes back together now, freehub spins fine, though something is causing the freehub to spin when not pedalling.

 

[ishaw]

I've found an exploded diagram and it looks like D452SB_v1,6 from https://www.eshop.novatecwheels.eu/drawings.xhtml

I can't see any washers or parts not on the diagram or fitted incorrectly.

 

[bikeworkshop]

If a bearing isn't quite snugged down, the assembly can bind when you tighten it up.

 

[ishaw]

I think the bearings are seated and in correctly. The axle spade through the hub is tight against the bearings and when fitting, they made the noise when reaching full depth if you know what I mean.