squeeking at the back wheel...

[andym]

... I'm wondering if it could be the bearings ready to go cause I've had the wheel off since it started, I've adjusted the back brake shoes from very loose to pressing the pedal about half way down. It's most obvious at lower speeds and it seems worse when leaning over to the left. Does that sound bearing-y?

I got the wheel from a scrap yard and just threw it straight on the bike without checking stuff like that, but I still have the old wheel and even though it's been outside since October the bearings seem to move very freely, can I use them ones? if so how do I get them out? and what can I use to degrease then re-grease them?

This is a little on the urgent side as I need the bike for work tomorrow at 3pm

Oh yeah on the way into work it seemed a little sluggish, but that could have just been the wind.

Thanks in advance for any help

[TanacoiusD]

Oh yeah on the way into work it seemed a little sluggish, but that could have just been the wind.

[neil.]

Is there any play in rear wheel side-side movement? Grab the top and pull it right, at the same time pull the bottom to the left to try and move the wheel diagonally. Give it a firm jiggle in both directions. You shouldn't feel any play/bumpiness - if you do, either the axle is loose (hasn't been done up tight enough) or the bearings are shot.

Also, is your back brake sticking on by any chance? If so, even though you adjusted it for lots of clearance, if it's sticking, it still may drag after you use it. The cam that pushes the shoes apart is really prone to this and needs stripping out, cleaning and re-greasing fairly regularly if you ride a lot, especially in winter. I've had to do mine a few times in the last few years and it isn't even a scheduled service item...

Once you get old bearings out you're likely to damage them in the process. It's not worth trying to reuse them, see them as consumable items. New ones are cheap anyway, check sites like Wemoto and look up your specific bike (for me they come in at less than a fiver each). Usually have 2 sets of bearings in the rear wheel.

Edit - for greasing new bearings, use lithium grease, but don't pack too much in there as it overheats and you'll burn the bearings out.

[andym]

Just had a damn good tinker around with the back wheel, I totally removed the braking arm and turned the wheel and guess what.... no squeeking or grinding sounds... wheel seemed solid enough etc.

So I tried moving the brake arm slightly and turning the wheel and it turns out the brake shoes are rubbing so it looks like I'll be buying a new set of shoes soon.