Is the rear sprocket on your Hobie MD180 MirageDrive worn out, with sloppy, noisy bearings? The BerleyPro Drive Bro bearing kit replaces them, and fitting it is straightforward.
Tools you need:
- A Phillips head screwdriver
- A 7/16" spanner, to loosen and tighten the chain nuts
Step 1: Loosen the chain. Use the 7/16" spanner to loosen the nuts on each side of the rear chain. You need a bit of slack in the chain to get the housing off and back on.
Step 2: Remove the screws. The rear sprocket bearing housing is held on by three screws. Take out the two on the top of the spine first, one on each side.
Then take out the screw on the bottom of the housing.
Step 3: Take the housing off. With the screws out, lift the housing away. The old bearings at this end will probably fall out. These are the worn bearings the Drive Bro replaces, so you won't need them again.
Warning: the sprocket at the other end, attached to the fin, is fine and stays as it is. Hold it in place while you take the housing off. If it falls out, its plastic needle roller bearings will spill out everywhere and you will have to put every one of them back.
Step 4: Check the kit and pick your shims. The Drive Bro kit comes with two small white shim washers. How many you need depends on how worn your drive is:
- A new or lightly used drive usually needs none.
- Some drives need one.
- A well-worn drive may need both.
This drive was a little worn, so we fitted both shim washers onto the bearing shaft.
With the shims in place, sit the ceramic roller bearing on top of them.
Step 5: Fit the bearing shaft. Push the bearing shaft, with its shims (if used) and ceramic bearing, into the bearing race.
Once it is in, it should look like this.
Step 6: Fit the aluminium housing. Push the Drive Bro housing into place. If it won't go, loosen the chain a little more. Check that it is fully seated: the screw holes should line up with the threads.
If it won't sit all the way down, you have probably used one shim too many. Take one out and try again. If it still won't line up, take the other shim out and fit the shaft and ceramic bearing with no shims.
Step 7: Fit the screws. The self-tapping screw goes in the bottom hole.
The two M4 x 12 screws go in the top holes.
Step 8: Re-tension the chain. Tighten the chain nuts back up with the 7/16" spanner. Don't over-tighten them; the rear chain should keep a little free play.
To check the tension, push a pedal forward and let go. The fins should drop back down on their own. If they don't, a chain (or the idler cable) is too tight. Loosen it a little and test again until it moves freely.
That's it. Your MirageDrive is ready to pedal.