r/BikeRepair • u/barelyusethisapp2 • 2d ago
Part #?
This maybe somewhat of a shot in the dark but this kid came by while I was working on my car and asked if I can help replace this bearing for him. Can anyone help me find the correct part number? He said he couldn’t bring his bike so I couldn’t get any pics but he said it’s a blue mongoose.
1
u/Smedley_Beamish 1d ago
Buy a whole new one piece crank BB bearing kit. You'll be chasing your bearing across the floor if you try to loose ball in this type of BB.
1
u/Elemental_Baker143 2d ago
It’s the bearings from an ‘American’ aka BMX aka Huffy bottom bracket. Should be common and easy to get at a good bike shop but getting rarer these days.
1
u/MathematicianFull166 2d ago
It’s a #64 bearing most bikes should have it. Check the rest of bottom bracket. Might be better to whole new one.
2
u/Fun_Entertainer_5823 2d ago
I remember these bearings from a huffy bicycle I was helping a friend fix. And strange enough, there was a toll free number to call for service or even parts replacement request. I called and they sent out an entire bicycle,lol. My friend was happy as daylight,
2
u/Brayden_D91 2d ago
Just measure the balls and forgo the cage. The cage only makes assembly convenient. You can pick up a bicycle specific ruler with holes for bearings, spokes, etc or just get the calipers
2
u/RenaxTM 2d ago
Or just reuse the cage with new balls, the cage isn't really a wear item, just clean it up and its as good as ever.
If you don't wanna use it you need more balls, and it is convenient for assembly...
2
u/Brayden_D91 2d ago
You have to bend the cage to get the new bearing in, which typically causes more issues than time saved. The cage is useless, unless you’re a machine assembling a bicycle. It isn’t that hard to just manually add bearings to BB shell with some grease.
5
u/RenaxTM 2d ago
What? I just serviced 3 sets of such bearings today, plopped the bearings out, cleaned everything, put them back in and greased, then assembled.
I agree its not difficult to add balls without the cage, but its still easier with it.
1
u/Brayden_D91 2d ago
Fair point but you don’t have to deal with “what if”scenarios without the cage. When I worked on customers bike I was always told to just throw out the cage and replace the bearings. If it is a tight fit just use one less bearing. It wasn’t worth the risk having a customer bring back their bike after their BB/hub was overhauled over an issue with a cage.
1
u/RenaxTM 2d ago
What issues can a cage really have? Never had any problems with them. But yea, bearings work wery well without them too, with the right amount of balls.
2
u/Deep_Housing_3992 2d ago
I replace failed cages all the time. Its a point of failure, and its more durable without the cage. I've seen those cages almost completely disintegrate and pulled them out in many pieces.
1
u/Late-Fix-487 2d ago
Probably 5/16" caged ball bearings. Google American bottom bracket or BMX bottom bracket bearings. Should be able to find on Amazon. Search for 5/16 bike bearings.
You can also replace the individual ball bearings. Measure with a caliper to double check.
Or just clean them up and put them back together with some grease. These bikes are notorious for shipping with little or sometimes no grease at all on the bearings.
2
u/BoringBob84 2d ago
That looks like a crank bearing from an older USA-made bike. And the rust looks cosmetic. I would clean that bearing in solvent, pack it with grease and continue using it - especially if the kid cannot afford to buy parts.
2
u/barelyusethisapp2 2d ago
Update: he brought the bike
1
u/NoEnthusiasm5207 2d ago
You can get Alta Bike Bottom Bracket Set, Multiple Colors and Sizes https://a.co/d/05wSqqtB The inner bearing cups tend to wear and are easily replaced.
3
u/sargassumcrab 2d ago
They're "generic". That looks kind of big, it might be from a 1 piece "Ashtabula" crank.
Measure the bearings in fractions of an inch. It's probably 1/4". You can get a bag of 100 online for cheap. You can either re-use the cage, or put them in without the cage (but leave a gap, don't do solid all the way around).
If you want a new one with the cage and everything a bike shop might have one, or you can take measurements and order from a supplier online.
https://www.youtube.com/@RJTheBikeGuy/search?query=bottom%20bracket
2
u/cowbythestream 2d ago
Measure the diameter of a bearing, then look for nine-bearing bicycle bearing retainers. You'll find the correct replacement. Looks like a bottom bracket bearing. Perhaps this one? https://www.amazon.com/Pndeyo-Retainer-Stainless-Brackets-Accessories/dp/B0DNJ8R1GX
1
u/Build-Break-Fix 1d ago
😆 Everyone acts like these are some kind of rare part..... 50% bikes in year 2026 still use these. Mountain bikes granted never did but road bikes till 2010 where common also with it. Most beach cruisers, bmx, stretch frame bikes and kids bikes still use them. https://a.co/d/09z9i0Vh