Hi Catus, Thanks for the video. I have watched a number videos and check the Shimano manuals to try and understand the bearings. How I understand it now is the wheel (hub) spins on the axel bearing on the brake side and on the large bearing on the drive side. The axle bearing on the drive side is for the input shaft/clutch assembly that rotates at a different speed. What causes the free-wheel friction problem is when the cog fits too tight against the dustcovers. (I have a Nexus hub and hope the bearings last!) Your feedback will be appreciated, regards.
Excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to explain the internals. You obviously have a strong background in either machining, materials, and/or metallurgy. Looks like I won't be considering an Alfine for any belt-drive bikes I might consider.
I have commented on your previous video. I think the 3 lobe drive sprocket should have been dished out. I suspect the failure of the race was due to the free play you were experiencing because the chain side plates were dragging on the face of the hub. It might be worth replacing the race and flipping the sprocket. Regards, Philip.
Interesting thought. So you mean that the chain line was not straight. And so the chain pulled on the sprocket's one side more than the other. It is worth thinking about it. I know that when I had to mount my sprocket on this hub, I had to consult the Shimano's dealers manual, too see how this sprocket is supposed to sit. Depending if it is flipped or not, it can make a big difference, maybe about 5 mm or so.
Actually, snapring removal is a test. Anyone struggling with it needs to turn in their shop apron and leave the work area! Apparently, the "seals" on that hub don't actually "seal" at all!
If you do the correct shimano maintenance using the correct oil drunk method these hubs go on for thousands of miles. That one has pink bicycle grease in there, no wonder it had loads of fiction and broke
Great video thanks. I've had a nexus 8 on my touring bike for 8 years covering the whole coastline of Spain where I live. The bearings have finally given up but I have a new complete part to replace at my local bike shop. Problem, I want to keep the shell and just insert the complete internal gearing but the shell has a small bearing cassette inside it that I need to replace. Can I buy that little bearing cassette keeping the shell or am I going to have to buy a new shell and have a full wheel rebuild? Thanks Frank in Altea southern Spain.
Brilliant ! min eis earlier, and the sprag clutch is completely rusted = junk. Notice that the large bearing uses the hub shell as the outer race, that is a disaster as there are no seals and water kills it.
I have found ball ring and other pieces for Shimano Nexus hubs at a Dutch shop called Holland Bike Shop. They do ship to the EU, not sure about the rest of the world. The usual response from Shimano is to replace entire hub instead of trying to repair it, given it's quite complex. Good luck!
Could you plese elaborate on excessive friction on that big bearing? You think it's because of all bearings being adjusted at once on the left side? I think it's the same in every other IGH. Maybe the cones were just overtightened? It's weird though that only this one got broken while all the others seem ok. Btw here in Poland, you can easily buy almost every of those separate parts, for rather reasonable money.
It appears the large angular contact bearing doesn't allow for proper and set bearing pre-load. He said it's dependent on spring tension, which isn't enough to prevent the bearing from developing play. At least that's how I understood it. I do know that cup and cone (angular contact) bearings can last a long time when properly adjusted. However, once play is introduced to them, they fail quickly. I learned this very early on: cup & cone are better a bit too tight than a bit too loose (any play, that is).
Getting the Snap Ring From Hell off is the easy part. Getting it back on is why it gets it's own moniker. How can Shimano after years of making Internal Gear Hubs not design the S.R.F.H. to accept a pair of snap ring pliers? Any other brand has an easy to install/remove snap ring but Shimano seems quite content for it's customers to endure Ice Pick Injuries struggling with this.....and then to not make parts available. Fortunately there are many other Internal Hubs coming to meet the E Bike demand for stronger hubs.
I only wanted to learn how Alfine works, but these graphic videos explaining it are just confusing and make no sense, seeing this video explains everything. Now this part was not broken, all that was broken was the big bearings and it looks easy to replace them. Broken is broken, unrepairable. Shame...
I can see why Shimano does not sell parts. No one would be able to reassemble that correctly. Interesting video. Love see how stuff works.
Thank you very much. Could not assemble the most inner part because everything fell into my hand during disassamble. Now there is hope ;-)
Hi Catus, Thanks for the video. I have watched a number videos and check the Shimano manuals to try and understand the bearings. How I understand it now is the wheel (hub) spins on the axel bearing on the brake side and on the large bearing on the drive side. The axle bearing on the drive side is for the input shaft/clutch assembly that rotates at a different speed. What causes the free-wheel friction problem is when the cog fits too tight against the dustcovers. (I have a Nexus hub and hope the bearings last!)
Your feedback will be appreciated, regards.
The most difficult and critical part is getting that cone nut adjustment correct otherwise it will loosen up, or to tight distroy the bearings
Excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to explain the internals. You obviously have a strong background in either machining, materials, and/or metallurgy.
Looks like I won't be considering an Alfine for any belt-drive bikes I might consider.
I have commented on your previous video. I think the 3 lobe drive sprocket should have been dished out. I suspect the failure of the race was due to the free play you were experiencing because the chain side plates were dragging on the face of the hub. It might be worth replacing the race and flipping the sprocket. Regards, Philip.
Interesting thought.
So you mean that the chain line was not straight. And so the chain pulled on the sprocket's one side more than the other. It is worth thinking about it. I know that when I had to mount my sprocket on this hub, I had to consult the Shimano's dealers manual, too see how this sprocket is supposed to sit. Depending if it is flipped or not, it can make a big difference, maybe about 5 mm or so.
Actually, snapring removal is a test. Anyone struggling with it needs to turn in their shop apron and leave the work area!
Apparently, the "seals" on that hub don't actually "seal" at all!
If someone ever tries to convince me that internal gear hubs are more simple than the derailleur setup i'll show them this video...What a nightmare...
If you do the correct shimano maintenance using the correct oil drunk method these hubs go on for thousands of miles. That one has pink bicycle grease in there, no wonder it had loads of fiction and broke
No one ever said they were simpler. Of course they're not. They're just more resistant to wear and tear from exposure to the elements.
Great video thanks. I've had a nexus 8 on my touring bike for 8 years covering the whole coastline of Spain where I live. The bearings have finally given up but I have a new complete part to replace at my local bike shop. Problem, I want to keep the shell and just insert the complete internal gearing but the shell has a small bearing cassette inside it that I need to replace. Can I buy that little bearing cassette keeping the shell or am I going to have to buy a new shell and have a full wheel rebuild? Thanks Frank in Altea southern Spain.
Brilliant ! min eis earlier, and the sprag clutch is completely rusted = junk. Notice that the large bearing uses the hub shell as the outer race, that is a disaster as there are no seals and water kills it.
Interesting video Cat, but that's some crazy intricate design.
Yeah my friend it helped me, thank you
This was helpful thanks! What did you do with the parts? I need one of those small cogs... would be happy to buy off you
I have found ball ring and other pieces for Shimano Nexus hubs at a Dutch shop called Holland Bike Shop. They do ship to the EU, not sure about the rest of the world. The usual response from Shimano is to replace entire hub instead of trying to repair it, given it's quite complex. Good luck!
Could you plese elaborate on excessive friction on that big bearing? You think it's because of all bearings being adjusted at once on the left side? I think it's the same in every other IGH. Maybe the cones were just overtightened? It's weird though that only this one got broken while all the others seem ok.
Btw here in Poland, you can easily buy almost every of those separate parts, for rather reasonable money.
It appears the large angular contact bearing doesn't allow for proper and set bearing pre-load. He said it's dependent on spring tension, which isn't enough to prevent the bearing from developing play. At least that's how I understood it. I do know that cup and cone (angular contact) bearings can last a long time when properly adjusted. However, once play is introduced to them, they fail quickly.
I learned this very early on: cup & cone are better a bit too tight than a bit too loose (any play, that is).
I think the design has changed on thee now. The new models have a screw on case. I assume this is an older design
The new digital hubs are excellent.
thank you that helped a lot
Hi, Catus Maximus. Just wondering if I can buy your alfine 8 if you still have it. Thank you.
I really, really wish you guys would clean them first before you disassemble!
Getting the Snap Ring From Hell off is the easy part. Getting it back on is why it gets it's own moniker. How can Shimano after years of making Internal Gear Hubs not design the S.R.F.H. to accept a pair of snap ring pliers? Any other brand has an easy to install/remove snap ring but Shimano seems quite content for it's customers to endure Ice Pick Injuries struggling with this.....and then to not make parts available. Fortunately there are many other Internal Hubs coming to meet the E Bike demand for stronger hubs.
А он собрал потом все обратно?
Great video really overly complicated for a bicycle and then not to last is disappointing.
Allways puncture finger with this freaking snap-ring... 10x!
Now I really know about a machine I had no interest in! Good job Catus. Ride it away! Come look at my aircraft.Pipers and Cessnas and Moonie oh boy!
Snap-ring from hell is a pussy-cat - thanks :-) Top geezer - pronounces 'Alfeenay' correctly...
If it was meant to be pronounced like that, there would be an accent over the "e".
Làm sao dịch tiếng việt cảm ơn
I only wanted to learn how Alfine works, but these graphic videos explaining it are just confusing and make no sense, seeing this video explains everything.
Now this part was not broken, all that was broken was the big bearings and it looks easy to replace them. Broken is broken, unrepairable. Shame...
I see pigmat
It's not pronounced "Alfeenay", it's just "Alfeen". Thanks though, good video.
I watched a few Shimano commercials that's wh iy said it that way because that's how they pronounce it in their TV ads.