Re[2]: [CR]Servicing Harden hubs - please help! :) NOW: Harden Hub Service

(Example: Framebuilders)

Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:39:15 -0400
From: "dima" <dima@rogers.com>
To: "Ted E. Baer" <wickedsky@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re[2]: [CR]Servicing Harden hubs - please help! :) NOW: Harden Hub Service
In-Reply-To: <55133.41364.qm@web80607.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
References: <1638754865.20070816220637@rogers.com>
cc: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>

Hi Ted,

Thanks for your post!

Friday, August 17, 2007, 1:00:52 AM, Ted E. Baer wrote:
> Dima,
> I was wondering how to service these hubs as well. So
> I just took an old Harden hub that I've had sitting
> around here and opened it up. The hubs I have are
> quite old 50's?, 60's? models. If it helps, the one I
> just disassembled is engraved "PAT 596137" and has a
> zert (grease nipple) fitting on the shell between the
> flanges.

That's the one. Ok, I have two - the front with that "PAT 596137" as you describe, and a rear without any markings - but apparently some Harden hubs were like that, unmarked (as mentioned on the Classic Lightweights UK site).
> Let me preface this in saying that I have never
> overhauled a Harden hub until just this minute--so I
> am a complete amateur. Here is how I did it:
> 1. I took two wrenches and placed them on the old hex
> nuts (one wrench for each nut per side) in front of
> the bearing plate covers.
> 2. I then turned the wrenches counter-clockwise; I
> immediately busted a nut, (freed up one of the nuts)
> and was able to unthread and remove one nut by hand
> while holding the opposite end of the shaft. The
> little bearing cover is basically just laying on the
> outer face of the bearing and will pop right off. The
> bearing cover is not threaded.

That's what does not happen on my hub. I can unscrew one of the locknuts no problem, but the bearing cover does not come off. I tried prying with a sharp knife - but amazingly, the hub's made so nicely that there is no gap to insert the blade. I'm reluctant to try too hard though, as I wrote, in fear of damaging that cover. But I think tomorrow I'll try soaking it in WD40 which perhaps will loosen the grime that may also be holding it together... will report how it goes. Thanks again for your post, at least now I think I know how it can be done.

<snip>

--
Cheers,
Dmitry Yaitskov,
Toronto, Canada.