Maintenance

This page features questions about maintaining and overhauling your Campagnolo equipment.  Click here to return to the Ask Tim page.

Q:  I have 99 Record 9 speed ergo sifters, 99 Record Rear der. and the c9 Campy chain. I've purchased a set of Mavic wheels which has the shimano style freehub. My bike shop tells me I can use the dura-ace cogset with no problem because the spacing for 9 speed campy and 9 speed shimano is so close. I've tried this setup and it works but not very smoothly. Can you suggest the best setup for me? should I use the mavic cogset? Older style shimano cogset with spacer kit? What do all the pros use when they put Mavic wheels on thier campy equipped bikes? HELP!!! 
C-O:  The spacing doesn't work all of the time between the two. I know that Mavic has their own cogset that will probably work for both. I would check into trying those. 

Q:  I have 97 Record 9spd Ergolevers.  The brake lever is badly scratched on one and I want to replace them both.  Can I fit the newer carbon brake levers to the 97 Ergopower body?  If yes, what is needed for the job?
C-O:  Sorry to say that the 97 Ergopower body style is completely different from the newer type. They will not fit.

Q:  I am currently trying to convert my GT Ti rd bike to Campy. The stock Ultegra (can I use that word here?)is not cutting it. I wish I could just plop down the cash & buy a new groupo, but I just bought a new Mtn bike & the wife says NO. I have replaced the 9spd STI levers w/ Veloce & the rear der. as well. Ive been told by several shops & more than one rep. that this should work, it doesnt! I cant seem to get it to shift properly. It shifts from the 12 to the 13 ok, then it skips the next one, by the time I'm in the 23, there is one more click in the lever (it doesnt shift into the spokes though). I borrowed a Chorus wheel from a friend & tried that & it shifted perfectly. I really can't afford a new hub & cassette right now & everyone says that the two are completely compatible this year. Can you help? I would appreciate it, I've already e mailed Campy & the mail was returned, undeliverable.
C-O:  The 9 speed Shimano and Campagnolo are close enough that is works some times 100%, not  always ( as you know ). The Ergopower do have tighter tolerances so that might have something to do with it. First thing to check is that the spacing of your cogset is even. Since the Chorus hub worked it makes me think of that. What chain are you using. If it's a newer chain and the spacing is off on the cogs this will magnify the problem also. You can order spacer kits for cogsets to make Shimano compatible with Campagnolo so that may be an option for you. 

Q:  What tools do I need to overhaul my 9 speed chorus rear hub . Is it easy to do yourself or its best to leave it to the LBS . Is there an instruction manual regarding this?
C-O: To overhaul the hub you will need a 2mm allen, 17mm box wrench and cone wrenches. Loosen the 2mm allen on the drive side locknut. Remove the drive side locknut with the 17mm wrench. The freehub  body will slide off ( watch the pawls and springs, they might fall out too ), At this point you have an old type traditional hub. Hold the hub in an axle vice on the drive side. Use the cone wrenched to remove the lockouts on the non drive. When this is done the entire axle will slide out the right side of the hub. Remove the seals on both sides making sure not to damage them. Be careful not to lose any of the bearings. Clean everything. When re-assembling use a good lithium based grease ( that's what I like ), the right side ( drive ) takes 10  7/32" balls and the left ( non-drive ) takes the 9   1/4" ones. Reinstall the seals. When installing the axle and adjusting it, everything is done from the left side. Adjust the hub so there is no play at the axle. Don't get it to tight or you will damage the cones and cups. Re-install the free hub body. You will need to use something to hold the pawls down, like a piece of string. When you install the freehub body it will slide on the axle. Install the split washer then the flat washer and then the locknut. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE LOCKNUT, all you need to do is snug this nut. Re-tighten the 2mm allen. That's it.

Q: I have a creak in the bottom bracket area of a 1999 Record gruppo. I've tightened chainring bolts and now I have removed the BB and will reinstall and tighten. I know I need to use anti-sieze , any suggestions on product ?
C-O:  The first thing I would check would be if the bottom bracket has been faced and tapped. If not have it done. Second I usually use Teflon tape on the threads. This is a dry lube and it also locks the bottom bracket into place. Make sure the bottom bracket cups are torqued to 51ft lbs. Tighten the crankfixing bolts to 28 ft lbs.

Q: Last spring I purchased a new bike with a 9 speed Campy Chorus gruppo.  What special tools will I need to routine maintenance on this bike?
C-O:  There are not many special tools required to work on Campagnolo components. Really the only one id the bottom bracket/cassette lockring tool. Everything else uses standard tools.

Q:  How often should I lube my Vento hubs?
C-O:  You will need to service the hubs from time to time. The Vento hubs are a regular ball bearing type of hub so they will require maintenance. It depends on the conditions you are in but most of the time you can do the overhaul once a year, more if you are in the wet a lot.

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