HOW TO REMOVE BEARINGS
Removing bike hub bearings is generally more challenging, so our focus will be on hub bearings. However, the techniques and steps outlined here can also be applied to other bearings on your bike. Here’s an overview of the key steps.
1. REMOVE BEARING
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Prepare Tools: Gather essential tools such as hex keys, a bearing puller, circlip pliers, and a soft mallet.
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Remove End Caps: Gently pull off the end caps from the hub to expose the bearings.
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Detach the Axle: Slide out the axle carefully to avoid damage to other components.
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Access Bearings: Use a bearing puller or similar tool to remove the bearings from the hub shell. Be sure to work evenly to avoid misalignment.
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Inspect Components: Check the bearings and hub shell for wear or damage before replacing or reinstalling.
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Note: Always refer to your hub manufacturer's manual for specific instructions, as designs may vary. If you're unsure, consulting a professional bike shop is recommended.
Please feel free to contact those bike shops we have been working with for years, with tons of experience and skills.
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2. BEARING REMOVAL EXAMPLES
We will share some popular wheel hubs and demonstrate how to remove the bearings from the wheels for your reference.
Video: How to remove bearing example - ZIPP hub
Copyright: SRAM TECH
Video: How to remove bearing example - DT SWISS hub
Copyright: DT SWISS
3. SELECT THE BEARING
On the bearing's seals, you should be able to see the bearing code, such as "6803." In this case, our compatible bearing is 6803 (ID 17mm x OD 26mm x Width 5mm).
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Sometimes, you may see "61803," which is the same as "6803."
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It can be tricky that there is no bearing code on the bearing seals, then you have to measure the bearing's Inner Diameter (ID) and Outer Diameter (OD) and match the measurements with our bearing sizes listed.
Photo: bearing size( ID x OD x W)
Use the bearing code or the actual bearing size information to match it with the common bearings used in bike wheel hubs.
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608 - (ID 8mm x OD 22mm x W 7mm)
608-9 - (ID 9mm x OD 22mm x W 7mm)
609 - (ID 9mm x OD 24mm x W 7mm)
6000 - (ID 10mm x OD 26mm x W 8mm)
6001 - (ID 12mm x OD 28mm x W 8mm)
688 - (ID 8mm x OD 16mm x W 5mm)
6801(61801) - (ID 12mm x OD 21mm x W 5mm)
6802(61802) - (ID 15mm x OD 24mm x W 5mm)
6803(61803) - (ID 17mm x OD 26mm x W 5mm)
6804(61804) - (ID 20mm x OD 32mm x W 7mm)
6805/61805-6 - (ID 25mm x OD 37mm x W 6mm)
6805/61805-7 - (ID 25mm x OD 37mm x W 7mm)
6806(61806) - (ID 30mm x OD 42mm x W 7mm)
6810(61810) - (ID 50mm x OD 65mm x W 7mm)
699 - (ID 9mm x OD 20mm x W 6mm)
6900(61900) - (ID 10mm x OD 22mm x W 6mm)
6901(61901) - (ID 12mm x OD 24mm x W 6mm)
6902(61902) - (ID 15mm x OD 28mm x W 7mm)
6903(61903) - (ID 17mm x OD 30mm x W 7mm)
6903/61903-18mm - (ID 18mm x OD 30mm x W 7mm)
15267 - (ID 15mm x OD 26mm x W 7mm)
17287 - (ID 17mm x OD 28mm x W 7mm)
R6 - (ID 3/8" x OD 7/8" x W 9/32")
R8 - (ID 1/2" x OD 1-1/8" x W 5/16")​
If you need further assistance, feel free to email us at info@bikebearingstore.com.au to double-check your selection.
4. ADDITIONAL NOTES
The bearings mentioned above are cartridge bearings. There are also loose ball-type bearings in a cup and cone structure.
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In this case, you can only replace the bearing balls, as the wheel hub itself forms part of the bearing. Typical examples include Fulcrum, Shimano, or Campagnolo wheels.
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You need to measure the ceramic ball size (usually in inches) and match them from our list.
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The most common sizes are 3/32", 5/32", 3/16", and 1/4". However, if you need other sizes, please check our ceramic ball range.
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For loose ball bearings, you need to reuse the other parts from the hub, including the retainer. Simply pop the old bearing balls out and replace them with new ones and add new grease.
Video: How to remove bearing example - Shimano Cup & Cone Bearing
Copyright: GCN Tech