Universal Hub Tool Manual

CLICK HERE FOR TOOL CONFIGURATIONS BY HUB MODEL

ABOUT THE CHRIS KING UNIVERSAL HUB TOOL

T-handle: The T-handle is an assembly of seven factory-assembled parts: a threaded T-handle body, strike, bushing, bushing o-ring, handlebar and two handlebar retaining rings. The T-handle delivers the force required to remove bearings when hammering on the strike and the press to install bearings using the handlebar, which can be extended to one side for additional leverage. If you want to fix the position of the handlebar, locate the handlebar where you would like it retained and place an o-ring or layer of electrician’s tape on either side of the T-handle head.

Extension Shaft: The extension shaft screws into the end of the T-handle compressing the cone and split-rings providing a surface for engaging and removing bearings. A 4mm hex wrench can be inserted into the end of the extension shaft to provide increased leverage.

Cone and three Split-rings: The cone slides into each of the three split-rings expanding them to a size that engages the outer race of a bearing during removal or engages the face of a retainer when removing the drive system and bearing from a rear hub. The large cone is for use with split-ring 3 removing large hub, LD and 20mm bearings. The three split-rings are laser-marked 1, 2 and 3 and the following instructions may use the numbers 1, 2 and 3 when referring to the individual split-rings. The split-rings are also assembled with color-coded o-rings for easy identification: 1 black, 2 white, 3 red.

Four Guide Bushings: The four bushings are used to guide the T-handle shaft inside bearings and bearing bores during bearing removal and to press on bearings and bearing bores during bearing installation. The guide bushings are laser-marked A, B, C and D and the following instructions my use the letters A, B, C and D when referring to the individual guide bushings.

Knurled Ring E: Knurled ring E is used to retain bearings during removal and generates the force for pressing in bearings during installation. The knurled ring has a course exterior surface for gripping and side hole where a 4mm hex wrench can be inserted and gripped for additional leverage.

Spline Driver: The spline driver is used to remove the seal ring on legacy driveshells with needle bearings (except for BMX driveshells). The driveshell is held in the cog spline wrench-HG and the spline driver is rotated counter-clockwise to remove the seal ring.

Adjusting Cone Tool: The adjusting cone tool is used to assemble and disassemble two-piece axles.

Cog Spline Wrenches: The HG cog spline wrench is used to hold HG, XD and XDR driveshells when removing or installing driveshell end-caps. The MS cog spline wrench is used to hold Microspline driveshells when removing or installing driveshell end caps. The cog spline Uwrenches incorporate flats for clamping in a vise or for holding with an adjustable wrench, slip-joint pliers or channel lock pliers.

ParkTool FR 1.3: The FR 1.3 is used to remove and install end-caps in XD, XDR and Microspline driveshells while retaining the driveshell in a cog spline wrench or tightening an end cap with the driveshell installed in the hub and restrained by the drive system. 

SPLIT-RINGS

Refer to FIGURES A through J for the appropriate split-rings for servicing your hubs and driveshells

The hub tool includes two cones and three split-rings. The three split-rings have a number designation laser-marked on them and a colored o-ring to identify them. In use, the cone and split-ring are placed onto the extension shaft, the extension shaft is threaded into the end of the T-handle and the extension shaft is tightened until the flat on the cone contacts the back of the split-ring, fully expanding it. Prior to expanding the split-ring, it is placed behind a bearing or the retainer when removing a rear hub drive system and bearing. The large cone is for use with split-ring 3 removing large hub, LD and 20mm bearings.

Prior to use, expand the split-ring between the T-handle and the extension shaft and ensure the two parts of the split-ring open evenly. If the split-ring opens unevenly, (1) ensure the split-ring and o-ring are clean, (2) adjust the o-ring until the split-ring can open evenly and/or (3) lubricate the o-ring by rubbing a drop of bearing lube or chain lube on the o-ring and reinstall.

UNIVERSAL HUB TOOL GUIDE BUSHINGS

Refer to FIGURES A through J for the appropriate bushings for servicing your hubs and driveshells

The hub tool includes four guide bushings labeled A, B, C and D. Guide bushings are used to support bearings during installation and removal and center the T-handle inside bearings and bearing bores. Figures A through J use a letter to indicate which guide bushing to use on the inboard and outboard side of the hub and an arrow to indiremcate orientation. The text letters in Figures A through J are oriented upright; in actual use some of the letters on the bushings will be upside-down as shown below.

STEP BY STEP SERVICE

FRONT HUB BEARINGS AND REAR HUB NON-DRIVE BEARINGS

Refer to FIGURES A through F for the appropriate hub tool configuration, split-rings and guide bushings for servicing your hubs

REMOVAL

1. Place the split-ring and cone on the extension shaft
2. Place the inboard guide bushing on the T-handle
3. Thread the extension shaft onto the T-handle
4. Insert the T-handle into the hub and position the split-ring behind the bearing to be removed
5. Position the inboard guide bushing
6. Gripping the knurled end of the extension shaft, tighten the extension shaft and expand the split-ring behind the bearing until the extension shaft is tight
7. Place the outboard guide bushing (if used) and thread the E knurled ring onto the extension shaft until the E knurled ring or guide bushing and E knurled ring extend into the bearing bore and contact the outside of the bearing
8. Using a mallet or ball peen hammer, tap the strike on the T-handle to remove the bearing from the hub

INSTALLATION

1. Place the inboard guide bushing on the T-handle
2. Loosely position the bearing in the hub bore
3. Slide the T-handle through the bearing and through the hub
4. Place the outboard guide bushing (if required) on the T-handle
5. Thread the E knurled ring onto the T-handle until it contacts the guide bushing (if used), bearing (if already installed) or bearing bore
6. Using the handlebar and knurled ring, or a 4mm hex wrench in the knurled ring, tighten the T-handle until the bearing is firmly seated in the hub

REAR HUB DRIVE SYSTEM AND BEARING

REMOVAL: ALL EXCEPT BOOST AND SUPERBOOST

Refer to FIGURES D and F for the appropriate hub tool configuration, split-rings and guide bushings for servicing your hubs

1. Place the split-ring and cone on the extension shaft
2. Place the inboard guide bushing on the T-handle
3. Thread the extension shaft into the T-handle
4. Insert the T-handle into the hub and position the split-ring behind the retainer
5. Gripping the knurled end of the extension shaft, tighten the extension shaft and expand the split-ring behind the retainer inside the hub until the extension shaft is tight
6. Thread the E knurled ring onto the extension shaft, contacting the bearing
7. Using a mallet or ball peen hammer, tap the strike on top of the T-handle to remove the drive system and bearing from the hub

REMOVAL: BOOST AND SUPERBOOST

Refer to Figure B

1. Place the split-ring and cone on the extension shaft
2. Insert the T-handle and inboard guide bushing through the non-drive bearing bore
3. Insert the extension shaft/cone/split-ring through the drive bearing and past the retainer inside the hub Ž
4. Thread the extension shaft into the T-handle
5. Position the inboard guide bushing
6. Gripping the knurled end of the extension shaft, tighten the extension shaft and expand the split-ring behind the retainer inside the hub until the extension shaft is tight ‘
7. Thread the E knurled ring onto the extension shaft, contacting the bearing
8. Using a mallet or ball peen hammer, tap the strike on top of the T-handle to remove the drive system and bearing from the hub

For Large bearing removal, the T-Handle assembly needs to be inserted through the hub assembly prior to threading in the extension shaft. The large split ring and cone will not fit through the Non-drive bearing bore.

INSTALLATION: R45 AND R45D REAR HUBS

Refer to FIGURE D

1. Place the inboard guide bushing on the T-handle
2. Insert the retainer, spring, drive ring, driven ring and bearing into the hub until the bearing is lightly placed in the bearing bore
3. Slide the T-handle through the hub and drive bearing
4. Place the outboard guide bushing (if required) on the T-handle and thread the E knurled ring onto the T-handle until it contacts the bearing
5. Using the handlebar and knurled ring, or a 4mm hex wrench in the knurled ring, tighten the T-handle until the bearing is firmly seated in the hub

INSTALLATION: BOOST, SUPERBOOST, ISO, MTN, CLASSIC, UNI-DISC AND BMX REAR HUBS

Refer to FIGURES B and F for the appropriate guide bushings for servicing your hubs

1. Place the inboard guide bushing on the T-handle
2. Insert the retainer, spring, drive ring, driven ring and bearing into the hub until the bearing is lightly placed in the bearing bore
3. Slide the T-handle through the hub and drive bearing
4. Thread the E knurled ring onto the T-handle until it contacts the bearing
5. Using the handlebar and knurled ring, or a 4mm hex wrench in the knurled ring, tighten the T-handle until the bearing is firmly seated in the hub

DRIVESHELL BEARINGS EXCEPT BMX NEEDLE BEARING

Refer to FIGURES G through J for the appropriate hub tool configuration, split-rings and guide bushings for servicing your driveshells

REMOVAL: ALL EXCEPT BMX NEEDLE BEARING

1. Place the split-ring and cone on the extension shaft
2. Place the inboard guide bushing on the T-handle
3. Thread the extension shaft onto the T-handle
4. Insert the T-handle and extension shaft into the helix end of the driveshell and position the split-ring behind the bearing.
5. Gripping the knurled end of the extension shaft, tighten the extension shaft and expand the split-ring behind the bearing until the extension shaft is tight
6. Position the inboard guide bushing in the driveshell
7. Thread the E knurled ring onto the extension shaft until it contacts the end of the driveshell
8. Using the handlebar on the T-handle and a 4mm hex key in the E knurled ring, tighten the T-handle and E knurled ring until the bearing loosens. If using the T-handle and E knurled ring is too difficult, tap a mallet or ball peen hammer on the T-handle to remove the bearing from the hub

Installing Driveshell Bearings except BMX Needle Bearings

Refer to FIGURES G through J for the appropriate guide bushings for servicing your driveshells

1. Place the two inboard guide bushings on the T-handle
2. Place the driveshell bearing in the driveshell and push until it reaches the inner bore
3. Insert the T-handle through the bearing and driveshell
4. Thread the E knurled ring onto the T-handle until the inboard guide bushing contacts the bearing and E knurled ring contacts the driveshell
5. Using the handlebar and E knurled ring, or a 4mm hex wrench in the E knurled ring, tighten the T-handle until the bearing is firmly seated in the driveshell

Removing BMX Needle Bearings

Refer to FIGURE J

1. Place the inboard guide bushings on the T-handle
2. Insert the T-handle through the bearing and driveshell
3. Thread the E-knurled ring onto the T-handle until the inboard guide bushing contacts the needle bearing and the E-knurled ring contacts the driveshell
4. Using the handlebar and E knurled ring, tighten the T-handle until the needle bearing is pushed farther into the driveshell and loosens as it exits the tight bearing bore
5. Remove the E knurled ring, T-handle and loose needle bearing from inside the driveshell

Installing BMX Needle Bearings

Refer to FIGURE J

1) Place the two inboard guide bushing on the T-handle

2) Place the needle bearing lightly in the end of the driveshell

3) Insert the T-handle through the bearing and the driveshell

4) Thread the E knurled ring onto the T-handle until the inboard guide bushing contacts the bearing and E knurled ring contacts the driveshell

5) Using the handlebar and E knurled ring, or a 4mm hex wrench in the E knurled ring, tighten the T-handle until the needle bearing is flush with the end of the driveshell