Bicycle Mechanics - 'Silent Clutch' removal

I've got a '98 Trek 520 and recently tried to remove the Shimano 'Silent Clutch' freehub in order to do some lubrication. Problem is, I can't figure out how to get it off. After removing the axle, looking down the axle tube, I can see flats that indicate an Allen wrech ought to work, but a 10mm is too big and an 8mm is too small. I've never ever encountered a need for a 9mm, which I don't have, so I'm wondering what the deal is. A phone call to my LBS was not helpful, so I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Well, Mikey-poo, I haven't taken one of these apart for over a year now, but I looked at the instructions and learned this. You can use a 10 mm allen key to remove the silent clutch freehub body from the front. Go in through the freehub body itself, not through the hub.

If I remember right, you can also remove a silent clutch hub from the back (the hub side) but it requires a different size allen key. It could be a 9 mm. If you have a 9, see if it fits.

Taking a freehub body off of the hub requires a good deal of torque. You will probably want to clamp the allen wrench into a bench vise, push the hub down onto it, and turn it from the rim.

Good luck, boyfriend!

Now smooch me! :love: :love: :love:

Maybe a picture will help, too!

Now, smooch me again! :love:

Thanks for the speedy help. It would appear that my 10mm Allen isn't really 10mm? Anyway, the note about 'special grease' intrigues me. Do you remember what you used to re-lube yours?

I don't know about your 10 mm wrench. Remember, the wrench flats are a different size if you go in from the other side ("through the axle tube" as you expressed it). I thought they were 11 mm flats from that side, but maybe they are 9. Like I said, boyfriend, it has been a long time since I did this job.

The reason I removed my freehub was that it had some grit inside it and sounded terrible. I washed it out with kerosene, dried it with an air compressor, and then squirted in some Phil's Tenacious Oil. I let that soak in and drain out, and then reassembled the hub. I haven't had a bit of trouble with it since. I think that taking the freehub body off of the hub is a pretty extreme measure. You do it as an attempt to salvage a hub that would otherwise be toast.

Anyway, Mikepo, try the 10 mm wrench from the front side, like in the illustration. Or, see if a 9 mm allen key will fit from the back ("through the axle tube"). Good luck! ;)

And where's my smooch? :mad: You owe me three now!

:love: :love: :love:

Thanks once more. Sorry 'bout the smoochies -- as you can tell, I'm new to this game.

:love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: