Bicycle Mechanics - himano rx-100 freehub "screamed" when cassette removed

Hello. I just upgraded the cassette on my Bridgestone RB-2, going from original 7sp cassette to a shimano HG 7spd with more range for climbing.

When I removed the original cassette there was an audible "screech" as it came loose.

When I installed the new cassette, I threaded the lockring by hand to start, hand tightened it with no problems, threads felt fine. I then inserted the lockring tool and began to tighten with crescent wrench. As force was applied, click-type detentes were felt, along with a more mellow version of the original screech noise.

This is my first time dealing with an RX-100 freehub. The screech and those clicks do not feel normal to me.

thanks

Those clicks are normal. The lockring has bumps on the back side of it, and the outermost cog has indentations in it. That noise is the bumps settling being pushed out of the indentations.

The screech noise is most likely rusted threads on the freehub body where the cassette lockring contacts.

That unnerving "scrunch" sound when removing is normal. It startled me the first time too!

It's customary to smear on a thin coat of grease on the outside of the freehub body. Did you do that? THe screeching makes me think you didn't.