Bicycle Mechanics - Freehub swap-Grease Seal/Cone Question

I have an old set of wheels with RSX hubs. Converting to an 8 speed freehub body from a Tiagra hub. The RSX has the metal press in bearing cover on the non drive side. The Tiagra has the seal plus a cover attached to the cone.

Can I pull the metal seal and replace it with the Tiagra cone/seal? I can find Tiagra diagrams, but not RSX.

You can if the RSX hub will accept the seal from the Tiagra hub. The only way to find out is to try it.

You can if the RSX hub will accept the seal from the Tiagra hub. The only way to find out is to try it.

Methinks I will try. I am going to get a spare dustcap however, in case sheer genius falls into absolute stupidity!

You can pry the RSX dust cap off if you work around the inside of the axle hole carefully with a wide blade screwdriver. I've been able to remove them with minimal to no damage that way. If you do bend them a bit, a few taps with a hammer against a flat hard surface will reshape them.

I've never successfully removed a dustcap from a Shimano Freehub body without totally destroying it, especially the plastic ones. Now I just leave them alone. Maybe you'll have better luck than clumsy and impatient me.

I've never successfully removed a dustcap from a Shimano Freehub body without totally destroying it, especially the plastic ones. Now I just leave them alone. Maybe you'll have better luck than clumsy and impatient me.
Hmmm, I'm surprised. I've been able to remove and reinstall both the plastic and thin metal ones with no real problems. The trick is to work around the inside edges a little at a time to pry them out intact. It's sort of like removing headset cups using a punch and hammer rather than the proper rocket tool.

Hmmm, I'm surprised. I've been able to remove and reinstall both the plastic and thin metal ones with no real problems. The trick is to work around the inside edges a little at a time to pry them out intact. It's sort of like removing headset cups using a punch and hammer rather than the proper rocket tool.

It sounds so easy, but isn't.

Well, the Tiagra don't fit, so its back to the original seals and change the cones out on the RSX to the longer Tiagra axle.

Well, the Tiagra don't fit, so its back to the original seals and change the cones out on the RSX to the longer Tiagra axle.

Somewhere Sheldon Brown said it's usually easier to take everything from the donor hub and transplant it. Your dilemma sounds like the reverse case. Good luck

You can also get these nicely made alu re-usable dustcaps from here. http://morningstartools.com/freehub_buddy_dust.html The pictures don't do the machining quality justice.

Somewhere Sheldon Brown said it's usually easier to take everything from the donor hub and transplant it. Your dilemma sounds like the reverse case. Good luck

That's what I'd do if you have the entire donor hub, except the left cone will probably be a keeper since it jives with the hub's left dust shield. The seals on Tiagra are superior to RSX anyway, IIRC.

As for removal, yeah, the metal shield on the freehub body is quite maleable. Sometimes they can be spun out... gently grab the inner flange with the tip of a needle-nose plier and attempt to rotate it counter-clockwise. It may begin following the lockring threads.