Bicycle Mechanics - What Can Happen to a Rear Hub?

I have a rear hub that is starting to make noise on my MTB. It sound like the bearings are dry or something of that nature. What would happen if a rear hub was never serviced? I mean, i plan to get it fixed but i was just wondering what happened if you just let a hub go forever??

Noise would become worse i think, and more damadge will be done to bearings, and well if they go, you got problems. :)

I have a rear hub that is starting to make noise on my MTB. It sound like the bearings are dry or something of that nature. What would happen if a rear hub was never serviced? I mean, i plan to get it fixed but i was just wondering what happened if you just let a hub go forever?? Plan on buying a new one.

How much should this cost at LBS? I know it depends on the hub, but what about labor?
Also if my hub is like the one below (which i think it is) can't the freehub just be replaced? How do you change the entire hub? Would you have to remove spokes?

Here is a pic of the effected hub.

you could just try cleaning and greasing the bearings - the bearings might also need changing- it is not difficult and might save you a big LBS bill. See the Barnetts manual for further details- if the ball races are worn then you need a new hub

Exactly what royal just said. In my experience freehubs are usually very long lasting and maintenance free. The worst thing you could do with your hub or bike is to spray it down with a hose. But I guess if you're into serious mountain biking mud buildup would require the garden hose.

you could just try cleaning and greasing the bearings - the bearings might also need changing- it is not difficult and might save you a big LBS bill. See the Barnetts manual for further details- if the ball races are worn then you need a new hub

I don't have the tool to get the cassette off. Can i do it without it?

I haven't pulled mine in a long time but I think you can pull the axle without taking the cassette off. Try just cleaning and regreasing the axle bearings first to see if that helps. When you readjust the axle don't tighten it to the amount of play you think it should have. Allow just a tiny amount of freeplay because when you tighten the quick release it's going to take up the extra freeplay.

If your hub sounds like it has dry bearings, chances are it does. Continuing to neglect it at this point will cause all of the internal parts to wear more rapidly and consequently raise the eventual cost of the overhaul.

Overhauling a hub isn't a big deal. You don't have to remove the cassette or freehub body to overhaul the hub. The only special tool that you need is thin cone wrenches. Check the Park Tool website for detailed instructions.

A bike shop would probably charge around $15.00 to $20.00 plus parts to overhaul a rear hub.

Well I got all of the bearings out of the hub but somehow i ended up short one bearing. I guess i will head to LBS in morning to get a new ball bearing.I still am unclear as to what a "cone" is. I didn't use any cone wrenches, yet i was able to remove all of the bearings w/ magnetic screw driver. Oh well, i am learning.

My next question is........how do i know that it isn't the freehub that is making the noise? NOw that the wheel is out of the frame, how can i trouble shoot the freehub? It has bearings to, correct?

Hi, Be careful thinking you are 1 bearing short. Check specs to see how many bearings are required. The bearings do not fill up the entire race.

Marshall

Yup, you usually need what looks like 'one bearing missing' to restore a hub. If you really are missing one, replace them all. If you replace just one, it will be too big compared to the rest...

Well i found the original (lost) bearing, it was stuck in the hub. I have lubed and replaced the bearings. Now the wheel is nice and quiet if i just spin it but it is making a noise under power. Now i really am confused. Any idea why it would be making a grinding noise when pedaling? It seems worse when the chain is on the outermost cogs and really not noticeable on the innermost.

The way you describe it sounds like maybe the chain is rubbing against the cogs causing the noise. Or maybe the chain and/or cogset needs to be replaced.

The way you describe it sounds like maybe the chain is rubbing against the cogs causing the noise. Or maybe the chain and/or cogset needs to be replaced.

It doesn't appear that the chain is rubbing against the cogs. It still seems like the noise is coming from the hub area. If i spin the wheel with my hand it is basically quiet with just a slight hint of the "griding" noise i heard prior to greasing it.

When i hold the wheel solid with one hand (keeping it from turning) and try and turn the pedal with the other i can hear the noise. It seems like there is play between the cassette and the freehub. At least it seems like that is where the noise is coming from.

The only serious damage would be to the fixed cup on the non-drive side. As you guessed, the bearing surface in the freehub is replaceable, as are the bearing cones.
Its probably time to strip the hub and replace the bearings.
If I want to get an old junk bike going quickly, then I drizzel a little bit of oil into the bearings, but this doesnt work with sealed systems, and is only a temp fix.