cheap oil change.

[expr]

Just noticed this on ebay and thought it may be of use to some of you!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ROHLOFF-speedhub-60ml-oil-service-kit-syringe-available-/120662029410?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item1c18047462

[Paulson]

I bought some a month or so ago from him.  Quick delivery, seems a good service, well packaged.

Got enough for 2 years worth of changes in one go!!

[gillybert]

does the 3000 mile oil change intervals matter or could it be left a bit longer

[expr]

Is this its first service or an interval, if its the first one I would be tempted to do it now rather than later. The first service is quite important in that it serves as a flush out if any contaminants are present or fragments from the running in period.

If its an interval oil change you can more than likely get away with some extra miles without any trouble.

Dave.

[gillybert]

7th oil chang are we talking a few hundre or a few thousand

[Blacksail]

I thought I'd done an interval change at 15,000 but when I got round to doing the next one at 21,000 I realised I hadn't, so that was 11,000km between oil changes, there was plenty of oil left when I drained it and it didn't seem to have done it any harm.

[gillybert]

why is it that when i change the oil at 3000 mls after putting in the flushing oil i do not seem to get any more than the flushing oil out where does the lubericating oil go its not on the garage floor or workshop floor so where does it go

[stutho]

On your 1st oil change then you wont get out much Volume than that of the flush oil going in (note the stuff coming out will be a mix of flush an real oil)

Why? - Because about 15ml of oil is left adhering to the internal surfaces. 

If you get almost nothing back out then you may have an air lock.  Inject air into the hub with the syringe and then draw the oil back out - again with the syringe.

StuTho

[lewis noble]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that even if your mileage is low, you should still change the oil each year - as the oil gradually absorbs moisture - is that right?  Seem an expensive thing to do, but not compared with the cost of the hub or economies over other gear systems.

Lewis

[stutho]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that even if your mileage is low, you should still change the oil each year - as the oil gradually absorbs moisture - is that right? 

Yep

[Paulson]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that even if your mileage is low, you should still change the oil each year - as the oil gradually absorbs moisture - is that right?  Seem an expensive thing to do, but not compared with the cost of the hub or economies over other gear systems.

Lewis

It's the same with car engines; it needs to be at X miles OR 12 months, whichever is sooner. 

[wheezy]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that even if your mileage is low, you should still change the oil each year - as the oil gradually absorbs moisture - is that right?  Seem an expensive thing to do, but not compared with the cost of the hub or economies over other gear systems.

Lewis

What, atmospheric moisture? What if the bike lives in a warm house?

[stutho]

There is MORE moisture (g/litre) in most houses than there is in the atmosphere. However the relative humidity may be less dependent on temperature

(This is why you normally get condensation on the inside of the windows)      

[expr]

Stuart you are quite right, and I can only reiterate your comments. I wasn't aware however that the oil was hygroscopic, but do seem to remember reading something about it at some point.

Again the point made regarding amount of miles or length of time is to instill in us all the importance of regular maintenance, however my suggestion to slightly overlook this in gillyberts post was maybe a tad wrong although I'm sure it was received in the manner it was aimed at. Assuming that the oil change would take place sooner rather than later!

Temperature will have some affect on the amount of oil that can be extracted out as this will affect the viscosity of it and its ability to remain as a tacky substance that remains on the internal surfaces or a runny liquid that drains freely from the hub.

In reality the hub would never really "run out" of oil as the required amount allways remains in the hub anyway, and for those people who are certain that the correct amount went in but failed to remove it in the draining procedure then a few things could affect it as suggested, along with the possability of a small leak that doesn't really show itself just down to oil migration. There are points on the hub that WILL allow oil to migrate from that have no oil seals but really solely on an interference fit with no seal etc and has at some point been the topic of conversation before regarding the hub, although this shouldn't be a cause for concern, its just the nature of the beast.

The slightly over rated term that the hub sits in a "bath" of oil comes to be realised when its more of a small spill really! I think it just sends a placebo picture to the mind of all those gears enjoying a deep soothing and relaxing soak in all seasons when in reality its nothing more than a small drip. However without wanting to cause dismay and lucid thoughts of dried up gears as long as there is 15ml in the hub the gears are ecstatic with lubrication.

Dave.

[stutho]

Hygroscopic in the sense that the oil will hold onto any moisture that condenses inside the hub.
However I don't think that the oil will draw gaseous H20 out of the atmosphere. (I may be wrong on this!)