Whining hub - rebuilt now but could I have damaged it?

[Watchman]

I noticed a faint whining noise coming from my front wheel. I thought after a total of only ~1800 miles since new that I was unlucky but my hub might be damaged. I stopped part-way through my ride and took off the wheel, and could feel "steps" in the rotation of the axle. I didn't have a cone-spanner with me so had to continue with my ride. I have probably covered ~15 miles with it like this.

I took the axle and bearings out when I got home, cleaned, regreased and replaced the lot, and it all turns lovely again. No steps. I suspect in hindsight that the cones were simply done up too tight, although I had never noticed any binding before.

Anyway, am I likely to have done any permanent damage? Haven't had chance to ride it since rebuilding the hub.

[shouldbworking]

Presumably you looked to see if the bearings + races were fine when you had it apart? nothing else to check really.

[Watchman]

I did, yes. Looked OK but there's a pressed-in shield preventing me from inspecting it in great detail.

I guess I'm just paranoid that, after riding on it with it whining for so far, I appear to have got away with it - something I'm not used to.

As you indicate though, if it works now, no need to look for a problem any further.

Thanks.

[matt-ITR]

My first thought, before I read your whole post was that the cones were too tight.

[Watchman]

Thanks.

Out of curiosity, I looked into the price of hubs last night and noticed reviews for sealed bearing hubs. Mine definitely aren't a sealed bearing type, although there is a well-integrated rubber sheild which would prevent dirt getting in but it led me to wonder how many people have sealed bearing hubs, whether there's any adjustment possible with them, and what people think of them?

I'm not thinking of switching - mine appears fine now.

Edited by Watchman on Monday 21st November 09:29