Bicycle Mechanics - Cleaning freewheel + hub = mess

i have a new trek 7100.. new at this too. Every time I've cleaned the freewheel, it immediately starts grinding from dirt intrusion...along with the wheel bearings. They get filthy..and have to be cleaned, right? Was I not supposed to clean them like this? My bad?

How did you clean your freewheel? Do you mean freewheel mechanism or just the cassette (cogs)? Are you sure that the grinding comes from dirt in the bearings or could it just be a filthy chain?

If the hub bearings sound like they have sand in them or something along those lines then they have to be cleaned. Take off the wheels and clean out the hubs. You will need cone wrenches to open up the hub. Then you need to take out the bearings, clean them, pack with fresh grease, put them back in the hub and put it all back together.

How did you clean your freewheel? Do you mean freewheel mechanism or just the cassette (cogs)? Are you sure that the grinding comes from dirt in the bearings or could it just be a filthy chain?

If the hub bearings sound like they have sand in them or something along those lines then they have to be cleaned. Take off the wheels and clean out the hubs. You will need cone wrenches to open up the hub. Then you need to take out the bearings, clean them, pack with fresh grease, put them back in the hub and put it all back together.

With automotive brake parts cleaner.. yup, its definitely coming from the freewheel.

With automotive brake parts cleaner.. yup, its definitely coming from the freewheel.


why would you need to clean a new hub? brake cleaner is some pretty powerful stuff. man o man what have you done :eek: ?

ed rader