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Axle/hub wear
As you can see from the picture, the bearing guide on my axle is very pitted. Is this a replaceable part and if not, can sealed bearings be fitted to these hubs? Inside the hub where the bearing runs is in good condition.
While on the subject of bearings, how do I get the measurements for the headset bearing? I'd like to put sealed units in here too.
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Check out something like this:
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Tech-Tuesday-Cup-an...
You can't fit sealed/cartridge bearings to a cup and cone hub.
Many recent headsets already use cartridge bearings. I think it would be unlikely that you cold fit a cartridge bearing unless the headset was designed for it.
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You can definitely replace it, although ive been told shimano don't sell parts like that as spares. Your best bet may be to.pick up a cheap deore hub on.the net and use the parts out of that to repair yours.
If its just the cones that need replacing, it would be worth asking your LBS as they often have old spares lying about that whilst not brand spanking new, would be in better condition than yours.
If you can't get a replacement cone as an individual spare part, you should be able to get a new axle assembly. I recently got a Shimano XT axle through my LBS for about $35 that included all the cones & locknuts.
However, if your cones are shot, as they appear to be in the pic, then the corresponding cups on the hub probably are too. Don't forget the ball bearings, either. You might be better off picking up a whole new hub.
Further to that, a whole new hub works out at around $30 or a whole new entry level wheel at $80 inc post from CRC.
It seems awfully wasteful but like many things "use it till it's trashed, then throw it out and get a new one" often looks like a better option than the cost/effort involved in repair.
Pete, I got the same hub on my commuter and it's in the same condition, if not worse. The boys at BA helped me match a spare cone a few years back, but it's a cheap entry level hub so I'm just going to replace the whole wheel this time around.
Thanks all for your replies.
Looks like it's a trip to the LBS and see what they can come up with in the way of a replacement cone. The cups are not pitted at all, surprisingly, and the ball bearings look OK too, but if they've got some replacement balls I may as well get them.
Saying that, a new complete wheel for $80 sounds very temping, especially as my rims have quite a few chunks taken out of them.
LBS should definately carry spare cones and balls.
Bought the very same cones for my RM-65 Shimano's earlier this year from my LBS. They are the same as the M475's cones.
Moruya cycles has them here:-
http://www.moruyabicycles.com.au/contents/en-uk/...
New cones and bearings ordered from LBS for a reasonable $35 for both front and rear.
It'll be good to roll rather than grind along!
and also the wobble, particularly at speed...