Greetings All,
Trying to revive my '78 RD400. When I would try to tighten the rear axle nut or the caliper bracket shaft nut, the wheel would bind. Research here led me to think that maybe the wheel bearings were not seated properly. Checking things out I found this. Is this bearing in correctly or is it backward? Thanks for any help!
Tom
Hi Tom,
it needs to be seated all the way down for one, looks like it is. .
is #4 in there correctly? if thats missing the bearings will bind. the spacer in the bearing (17) -looks- to be oriented correctly according to the fische... but that always isnt correct either. especially looking at the witness marks in the hub. :umm:
Hi Mark!
I know that the #4 spacer is in there because I can see it flopping around as I move the wheel. But how would I tell if it is in there correctly?
The reason I asked about the orientation of the bearing was after referencing an earlier post here, it looked like the protruding inner portion of the bearing should be toward the inside of the wheel and not the outside. Unless both sides protrude? I don't know - this is the first time I've looked at these bearings. (Picture is from a post by Membername on June 28, 2019, 03:58:03 PM )
(https://i.ibb.co/xX86bMF/hub.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CmsQynP)
Thanks for that!
Looking at that picture, it seems like the bearing is in backward. Any easy/non-destructive way to remove it and turn it around, or should I order a new bearing and beat the current one out?
RD400 rear wheels/bearings are so complicated compared to other bikes. I'm not sure if it makes a difference which way the bearing goes in, however removing it will likely destroy it. Bearings aren't expensive, I think you should order a new set if you're going to remove it.
Point taken. Thank you. I had wondered if the bearing orientation made any difference. All I know is that something is wrong and that is the only thing I can see right now.
So... stupid me. I didn't realize that the "protruding" thing on the sprocket side bearing was a bushing until I stumbled across a picture of it on the HVC site. The parts diagram is of no help. As far as I can see it isn't depicted on there at all. Definitely on the wrong side as it was facing to the outside instead of inside. So, the bearings came out with a minimum of drama - but were destroyed in the process as Mike said. Had new bearings on the shelf as it turns out, so they will be going in. Right now I have the flange in the freezer to shrink it for installation in the bearing. Then I will do the same with the bearings to help get them into the wheel. Does any of this sound right and/or reasonable to any of you? (If you haven't figured it out, I am stumbling through this for the first time. Lots of on the job learning going on here!)
Sounds like you have it all figured out and you will be rolling very soon. :thumbs:
Good to hear one of us has confidence anyway!
glad you got it. yup, its part #17 in the diagram i posted, and indeed is shown backwards in that diagram. :gentleman:
Success! After much trial and error, I landed upon the correct sequence of expletives that enabled reassembly of the rear wheel. I did find that when it came back together, neither bearing was seated all the way down against the stop inside the wheel hub. When I would set one bearing against the stop, the other bearing would be pushed out. So I nudged them back and forth until they seemed centered. Put the rest back together and reinstalled the wheel. I can now fully tighten the axle nut with no binding. Result! :burnout:
:patriot: :patriot:
That little flange is tricky. I removed a bearing and cut the heck out of it to save the flange. Then I saw Yambits has them so I ordered a spare for the next rear wheel bearing change. Glad you figured it out.
Good to know. I may have to get another as well.
Good work Tom! Can't wait to see your RD400E again! It has been a # of years... :wave: