what size bearings for freewheel?

[GazK]

I recently got a Maillard Course freewheel from another retrobiker. The freewheel itself is in good condition but there was a lot of slop of the freewheel on its body - about 2mm or so. So I've just opened it up - first time I've opened a freewheel, and shure enough, while the races are in good nick it is down by about 8 or 9 bearings in total.

My digital caliper has long since given up the ghost (cheap Aldi rubbish - don't do it kids) - so can anyone tell me if these are a standard size, and if so, what?

 

[keithglos]

Most old freewheels were 1/8 inch balls, and had shims under the end bearing for adjustment.

 

[BobToo]

Sheldon Brown says 1/8" but I'm sure all the ones I've seen have been smaller than that. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html#disassembly

I have an Aldi calliper that hasn't broken yet, I'll go out and measure one now.

 

[keithglos]

They probably were 1/8 before the rust.

 

[BobToo]

Just been out to measure (the first time the Aldi calliper has been used in anger) one of the many that have been rolling around my shed floor since I opened a freewheel last year, 1/8" it is. I think it's more likely to be a shimming issue though, I wouldn't have expected it to be loose with 8 or 9 balls down (assuming that's 4 or 5 per race).

 

[GazK]

I just checked mine with a steel rule... more or less 3mm, so 1/8" it is. There are 3 shims under the lockring, which moved easily so you're probably right. No harm in getting some spare bearings though.

 

[GazK]

Thanks for all the advice... I just finished rebuilding the freewheel... added new bearings and removed the thinnest shim... It's all good now, very very little slop. Don't fear the freewheel, get stuck in!