Shoutout to the mechanic who said 'grease is cheap, bearings are not'

I was at the shop yesterday and overheard a senior tech telling a new guy to always pack a little extra grease into cup and cone hubs. He said a $5 tube of grease can save a $40 wheel rebuild down the line. It made me realize I sometimes rush that step on quick tune-ups. How much extra grease do you all typically use in a standard hub service?

3 comments

3 Comments

wilson.anna1mo ago

That mechanic knows what's up (and saves money).

lucashart1mo ago

Actually, that's a common mix-up. The person in the video is a machinist, not a mechanic. They're making a part from raw metal on a lathe. A mechanic would be fixing or replacing that part on the car. The skill sets are related but totally different trades. It's cool work, but calling them a mechanic misses what they actually do.

wood.avery1mo ago

Oh man, that's solid advice. I read an old forum post once where a guy said he fills the hub shell about a third of the way up with grease before putting the bearings in. Not just a thin coat. He called it the "peanut butter method" so the bearings are sitting in it. I tried that on my own bike and it definitely keeps things quiet longer, especially in wet weather. That extra bit really does seem to push water and grit out.