Expert: Dave - 8/16/2008

Question
Good evening,

Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise.  I appreciate it.

I probably don't have the right names for the parts here so bear with me. : - )

I have an inexpensive Mongoose XR 100 bike that I purchased a few years ago.   I was riding when suddenly the back wheel  starting rubbing against the brake pad intermittently.  After looking at the back hub/axle I noticed quite a bit of play (1/4") on the non sprocket side between the packing nut and the bearing on the hub.   I tightened this up but then noticed that there as a problem with the bearing on the sprocket side of the hub.  I loosened up the non-sprocket side packing nut again and inspected the bearing on the sprocket side.  It looks like its been ground up to next to nothing.  So now the back wheel cants towards the sprockets when it rotates.  I was able to tighten it up enough so I could pedal home but it needs some fixin....

My question:  Is this a simple repair of just putting on new  bearing components or installing a new hub or something more complicated?

Thanks so much!

-Bruce

Answer
Hello Bruce. You may be able to replace the bearings. However, there may be irreplaceable damage to your hub and/or cones. Check where the bearings sit on the nuts and on the hub for wear and pitting. If these are evident then your hub and/or cones are shot.

The best way to go about it that way is to just buy a whole new wheel. The cost of a new hub and for someone to rebuild you wheel is far more than the price of a new wheel.(Unless you know how to do that, then that is your choice.) At may shop to rebuild your wheel would be near $80 where as a new wheel may be $30-50. If you need any more information on how I may help you please feel free to contact me again so we can get your wheel situation settled.
-Dave