Will new bearings settle?

[Slimtim]

I just changed the bearings in some 10 speed Campagnolo Chorus hubs. Followed the instructions, cleaned, checked, new ball bearings, greased, reinstalled. Looked like a lovely job.

However, the wheels now run less smoothly than they did before - and the front one makes an irritating distant 'clicking' noise when i spin the wheel while the bike is held off the ground! Also, the hubs have some drag even after I have carefully adjusted the tension nut.

Will this settle with time or do I need to take everything apart and start again?

 

[dbmtb]

What grease did you use and are they original campag bearings?

I find these hubs a little more sensitive to such things than Shimano or earlier Campag.

 

[Slimtim]

I used a white grease - a bit sticky but specifically for bearings. However, it wasn't as translucent as the grease that was in the hubs originally.

The bearings were the same spec as Campag.

 

[FluffyChicken]

What does it feel like on the bike, did you set the bearings up with the wheel clamped by the Quick Release.
There is a world of difference to a wheel clamped up ns everything gets compressed*. Also while riding the grease will start to work under the correct forces. Don't just go by wheat it feels like when you spin it in your hand.

Clicking, that the bearings tinging together sound or something else ?
Not added one bearing to many ?

what bearings did you used. EDIT just seen that, so grade 10 I think are Campag ? or are they down at 25 ?

dbmtb probably has more experience at this though
and these are all just checks.
What where the races like ?

*I don't know the hubs so don't know the bearing setup, but cup/cone are affected and a lot of cartridge types are and it does sound like you have all that covered. but someone is going to ask

 

[dbmtb]

I used a white grease - a bit sticky but specifically for bearings. However, it wasn't as translucent as the grease that was in the hubs originally.

The bearings were the same spec as Campag.

White lithium grease? Hope not.

Not tried it on Campag bearings but I did find that sticky stuff like Pedros didn't seem to get on terribly well with the plastic retainers (You have fitted them the right way I take it). Green dura-ace grease was superb on them though.

Did you also grease the bearings in the FH body?

Bearing quality is really important. If bearings are of slightly different size they will have these symptoms too so if they are "same size" but inferior quality it might explain your problems. I only ever use Campag bearings on Campag hubs - it just saves time and hassle in the workshop when it's paying customers you only want to come back in a happy frame of mind. In fact TBH if I'm in the slightest doubt, I change the whole bearing unit - races, bearings and retainers.