riding without one ball

**CarveSlide** · 05-17-2009 09:10 PM

Yesterday I cleaned out my bones swiss bearings. took off the shields, soaked them, alcohol, lube etc. Today I came into my room to find one of the balls from a bearing sitting on my desk. Ive ridden on them for about three hours already and I haven't noticed any difference in performance. Im wondering if they're ok to ride and I can just replace the ball next time I clean my bearings or if i should take the time to find the right bearing and then put it back in because its unsafe or something...thanks in advance

**spicysmoke** · 05-17-2009 09:23 PM

I'm guessing it'd be okay, I mean there'd be a loss of strength of the bearing, but as far as I know it's not gonna be having enough force to break or bend it. Also maybe with one less ball thered be a tiny bit less friction, making it spin with less resistance. I don't really have any idea though, this is just what comes to mind.

**kraffft** · 05-17-2009 10:49 PM

With just one missing I doubt much'll happen in between now and your next cleaning.

But interesting to imagine what would happen as you subtract more balls...

Slightly different things depending whether you have spacers and tight axle nuts or not.

When your weight is on the board the axle is pushing upward on the bearing.
If there is one or more ball missing the inner race wants to separate the balls to create a gap for it to push upward into. If it manages to push upward enough it will stop the balls from rolling. Then the outer race will just be sliding on lube on stationary balls. Which isn't going to last long.

Short of that it's definitely putting extra strain on the bearing, but probably not more than the accumulation of dirt/moisture causes. Be nice if you could buy singles for 5$ though eh?

**boxcar182** · 05-17-2009 10:54 PM

Lance Armstrong!

**DSquared09** · 05-17-2009 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by boxcar182

Lance Armstrong!

Beat me to it!

**da-an-aniel.cal-al-an** · 05-17-2009 11:18 PM

Not where I thought this thread was headed at all. I thought someone had lost a testicle whilst skating

**Snow** · 05-17-2009 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by da-an-aniel.cal-al-an

Not where I thought this thread was headed at all. I thought someone had lost a testicle whilst skating

yeah, pretty sure thats around what the majority of us were thinking lol...

**CarveSlide** · 05-18-2009 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Snow

yeah, pretty sure thats around what the majority of us were thinking lol...

i didnt know how to phrase this question and i figured i might as well add a little to it

ya im just gonna ride it out and replace the missing testicle...er ball.. uhh ball bearing later.

**tart_monkey** · 05-18-2009 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by CarveSlide

i didnt know how to phrase this question and i figured i might as well add a little to it

ya im just gonna ride it out and replace the missing testicle...er ball.. uhh ball bearing later.

suggestion.. go light.. you don't want any of that brass or anything weighing you down there.. it is just awkward

(not personal experience or anything)

**CarveSlide** · 05-18-2009 06:01 PM

Now I have a new problem...one of my wheels is spinning slow. For some reason, one of my bearings spins fine when i take the shields off but then barely spins at all with them on. I wouldn't think that one slower bearing would make a difference, but the wheel spins significantly slower than the rest. Id much rather not ride without the shield.. is there somehow I can alter the shield to reduce friction or something?

**speshlspeclsteak** · 05-18-2009 06:03 PM

id say put it back in. and you deffinately want to keep that shield on

**NJ Joe** · 05-18-2009 06:25 PM

take every other ball out of a swiss six. the light weight will make you go fastarrrr

**Rouleau** · 05-18-2009 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by NJ Joe

take every other ball out of a swiss six. the light weight will make you go fastarrrr

And then paint it all green.and you will become some kind of speed demon!

A few of my bearings are missing balls hasn't made a noticable difference.

Also. Your shield is probably cracked/dented/twisted/ screwed up somehow. That's why it's messing with the bearing. Just take that shield off and face the open part to the inside of the wheel

**igotscars** · 05-18-2009 08:16 PM

This title is misleading...

Lance Armstrong only one because of two reasons.
Firstly: lack of nut makes him lighter and more aero
Secondly: lack of nut creates less nut to leg friction for smoother peddling

**TM_Cruzer** · 05-18-2009 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by CarveSlide

Now I have a new problem...one of my wheels is spinning slow. For some reason, one of my bearings spins fine when i take the shields off but then barely spins at all with them on. I wouldn't think that one slower bearing would make a difference, but the wheel spins significantly slower than the rest. Id much rather not ride without the shield.. is there somehow I can alter the shield to reduce friction or something?

dented or bent your shield.
Just put that side on the inside of your wheel, w/o the shield on there.