Title. I did a ride the other day I probably shouldn’t have. It was nice out and the snow was melting, but no street sweepers have gone through. So much grit in every component. I took apart and thoroughly cleaned the drive train, but it feels like there’s something stuck in this free hub when I spin it. What tools do I need to service this wheel? Is it pretty difficult?
by enlightened-creature
4 Comments
Lockring tool and a chain whip.
You don’t really need to spend that much because they won’t be used much. You can of course, from Park Tool for example.
Otherwise, any generic ones from Amazon will work too.
Edit: so what you basically need to do is loosening the lock ring that secures the cassette to the hub. The cassette just slides onto the freehub and the lock ring goes on top of it and screws into the hub.
The problem is that if you put any counterclockwise force into the ring, the whole thing rotates. So you need to hold the cassette/freehub so that the lock ring rotates independently and that’s what the chain whip is for.
https://youtu.be/9KAaP7pbFV0
In terms of difficulty, I’d say it’s 2/10. The most difficult thing is putting enough force to loosen the ring, which can be difficult if it has been a while since it was loosened.
It doesn’t hurt to give the lockring threads a clean and add some grease. I like to use bike specific Motorex grease.
I’d go for a basic tool kit rather than buying the individual tools. Much better value in the long run.
If doing everything youll need the whip and casette tool like he said but if your freehub needs service. Youll need some spanner wrenches to remove the axle and whatever tools for your freehub body. Depending on the hub you might just need an allen key and install a new freehub body off amazon. I tore apart two freehubs to get a 11 speed freehub shell onto my 7 speed wheel inner freehub pawls, Found out i didnt have to rebuild the freehub Frankenstein and could just order one for 11$ off amazon. The nicer freehubs will be easier and probably worth servicing and regreasing but may require special tools.
It depends on what brand the hub is. A lot of freehubs aren’t serviceable, e.g. Shimano. And replacing them can be fairly difficult if you’re not experienced with bike repair. I’d say this is a bike shop job