Rear hub maintenance
Discussion
SPD-wearing gods of PH, I ask for your help.
Last year I had a wheel whose freewheel just gummed up on a ride out. Once clicky, then just pedals spinning with the wheel, then, eventually, pedalling having no effect on the hub at all - cassette just spun. Well that's that wheel knackered then. I got a new wheel built on an XT hub (upgrade from whatever is on it) so that i won't have the problem.
Yesterday while riding I noticed my chain bunching up on the top, unclipped and the pedals were spinning. b
ks. A quick pub visit and we find that it's hard to get the cassette to turn. Hmm.
Now after every ride the bike gets washed with water + muc off. WD40 gets sprayed on all moving bits (including all over the hub on all the bits i can see) then some wet teflon lube is put on the moving bits.
Took it down the bike shop and chappy said that taking the wheel in and out of the frame can cause the nuts on the end to tighten and lockup the hub. He also said that there seemed to be alot of ste coming out the bearing when he was playing around.
Is this right? As I said it's only like a year old and not had alot of use, cleaned regually.
Doesn't seem right to me. I've not hard on my kit and try to keep it in top nick. What else can I do to it post-ride? Should I strip it down and clean it every so often? Headsets don't need that doing to them why should hubs?
They're going to service it and see what actually happened. Will be interested to hear.
Last year I had a wheel whose freewheel just gummed up on a ride out. Once clicky, then just pedals spinning with the wheel, then, eventually, pedalling having no effect on the hub at all - cassette just spun. Well that's that wheel knackered then. I got a new wheel built on an XT hub (upgrade from whatever is on it) so that i won't have the problem.
Yesterday while riding I noticed my chain bunching up on the top, unclipped and the pedals were spinning. b
ks. A quick pub visit and we find that it's hard to get the cassette to turn. Hmm.Now after every ride the bike gets washed with water + muc off. WD40 gets sprayed on all moving bits (including all over the hub on all the bits i can see) then some wet teflon lube is put on the moving bits.
Took it down the bike shop and chappy said that taking the wheel in and out of the frame can cause the nuts on the end to tighten and lockup the hub. He also said that there seemed to be alot of s
te coming out the bearing when he was playing around.Is this right? As I said it's only like a year old and not had alot of use, cleaned regually.
Doesn't seem right to me. I've not hard on my kit and try to keep it in top nick. What else can I do to it post-ride? Should I strip it down and clean it every so often? Headsets don't need that doing to them why should hubs?
They're going to service it and see what actually happened. Will be interested to hear.
It will be the pawls on the freehub that are not free running.Other than pulling the freehub body off and replacing it as i guess it'l be a none servicable item on your bike, all you can do is lay your wheel on its side and try get some oil into the freehub body.It will probably need replacing though.
Xenocide said:
Should I strip it down and clean it every so often? Headsets don't need that doing to them why should hubs?
Yes.XT hubs are great, as are all Shimano hubs. However, they are different to sealed cartidges. Sleaed hubs, you just leave for years, till one day they stop, then you replace the bearing. Shimano Hubs will last a long time, but they DO require maintenance.
Purchasing a set of cone spanners would not go amiss here.
As for the comparison with headsets, I ride through 12" deep water much more often than i ride through 30" deep water... if you get me. Headsets might make a quarter of a revolution in a hundred yards... how many times have your hubs spun...?
In future, be careful where you point your hose/jetwash. It will kill Shimano hubs dead. Like Domestos.
Once every few months, whip the cones off and repack with grease, checking the bearing and race surfaces for pitting/wear. Its not hard one you've cracked it.
As for the freehubs, there simply a wear item, non serviceable unfortunately. not dear though. Just keep it clean and keep the high pressure hose away.
snotrag said:
Purchasing a set of cone spanners would not go amiss here.
... don't forget a chain whip and a cassette tool
To the OP. I personally don't like to get WD40 all over my bike bits. Rinsing, Mukoff, brushes, chain bath, and sponges are all that are needed ... plus re-lubing of course.
.I'd suggest buying a hope rear hub and be done with it. Much stronger and much easier to service. I've been running a pair of XC hubs on and off for about 4 years on various bikes, including a good two year stint on a trials bike with no problems. I've got a Chris King for that now though, yum!
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