X-Core Wheels Maintanence

The X-Core wheels have a tendency to squeak due to corrosion buildup and slight movement of the hand rim studs. Obviously this is bad. Therefore, I have created this guide to removing the X-core squeak:

1. Remove the 6 bolts that hold the hand rim to the wheel. The best way to do this is to lay the wheel down on the ground hand rim facing down and using a screw driver to remove the bolts. Make sure to apply a good amount of pressure so you don’t strip the head of the screw.  If this does happen, you’ll need to use a screw extractor. When the screw is removed, it can be reused if you have a dremel tool and a cut off wheel to cut a groove in the head so you can use a flat head screw driver.
2. Once the hand rim is removed, remove the studs. If they won’t come out by hand, use a pair of pliers and twist them out.
3. Check the studs for corrosion on the portion that goes inside the wheel. If there is any, use a fine grit sandpaper to remove the corrosion.
4. Apply white marine grease to the inside of the stud holes of the wheel and to the shoulder of the studs. Make sure that grease is applied to both sides of the wheel. When all holes have grease, reinstall the studs. Make sure that they are installed on the outside of the wheel.
5. Apply a small amount of grease to the tops of the studs that mate to the hand rim and also apply a small amount around the hole on the other side where the bolt head will meet the wheel.
6. Align the hand rim with the studs and reinstall the bolts. Make sure the bolts are tightened well while not stripping the heads.
7. Reinstall the wheel and test it for squeaks. If there are none, you’re done. If there is still a squeak, it’s possibly the hub. Use an adjustable wrench to remove the large nut on the inside of the wheel. When the nut is removed, the hub should slide out. If it doesn’t, use a soft mallet to tap it out. When it is removed, apply grease to the inside of the wheel and around the edge where the rim of the hub meets the wheel. Reinstall the hub and tighten the nut. This should stop any unwanted noise. If there is still noise, check the hand rim bolts and the hub nut and tighten if necessary.
   
   

Stumpy
26 Apr 07