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Has anyone successfully replaced their RaceFace BSA Bottom Bracket bearings?

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baltik

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Mine is creaking after sub 200miles. I'd love to keep the bottom bracket and simply replace the bearings with something better.

Does anyone know if Race Face uses a 6806 bearing?
How hard was it to pull the original bearings and press in new ones?

tips or advice would be helpful
 
#2 ·
The bearing size is going to be dependent on what type of bb you're using.

I never even used my bb92. I installed it and noted that the bearings were notchy, a sign of overcompression. Pressed them out, spun smooth. Put in a Wheels Mfg, spins perfectly. They aren't hard to get out of the shell.
 
#4 ·
IMHO for all the efforts of trying to do that, BBs are cheap enough to buy a new one. But make sure to get everything tightened to spec (or close to it). Hell that mileage if bike hasn't been submerged or sitting for years, the bb might be under warranty.

That said, don't just go beating things with a hammer, won't be hard to do. I haven't done it on this specific BB but I've done it on others and was rather easy, really not in there that tight.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
#5 ·
baltik said:
Mine is creaking after sub 200miles. I'd love to keep the bottom bracket and simply replace the bearings with something better.

Does anyone know if Race Face uses a 6806 bearing?
How hard was it to pull the original bearings and press in new ones?
Click to expand...
Why do you believe that you've isolated this noise to your BB? I doubt that's your noise. This is not a pressed BB.

Pop a crank arm off and see what bearing that you have. It only takes a few minutes.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Definitely BB noise, was easy to isolate. Agree that checking bearing size is easy. From my reading certain BB cups make pressing bearings in and out easy while others can mangle the cups. So was really looking for first hand experience
 
#11 ·
^what he said if you want to service the cartridge bearing.

Enduro should have bearings if you want to replace the bearings and reuse the cups. Any shop should be able to pop the cartridge out and put a new one in the cup. I have one side of an XType BB with a bearing intended for a Trek Madone and another BB with a set of enduro bearings.
 
#12 ·
baltik said:
How does one service sealed cartridge bearings (besides replacing them)
Click to expand...
30 mm BSA Wheels Manufacturing BB with bearing shown.

These photos are from a VPP Suspension sealed bearing service, but the task is identical to the bottom bracket sealed bearings, or most any other sealed bearing whether hubs or whatever.


Carefully remove the silicone coated, thin metal seal and be careful to not damage it. I use some curved, spoon-like dental tools to slip under the seal and gently lift it from the bearing.

If necessary, clean bearings, inspect and prepare to lube.

Work grease of your preference into the bearings. Carefully reinstall the bearing seal smoothly and evenly to prevent damage.

Note:If you seek lower rotational friction from your BB or hub bearings, you will not want to full-pack your bearings like shown here. These are pivot bearings that see minimal rotational movement and I full-pack them. Choice of grease is another consideration depending on your objectives (protection or efficiency, or combination of both).

There are a few more bearing protection tricks incorporated into reassembly, but maybe later.
 
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