Bicycle Mechanics - Installing new Casette

I just ordered a new Sram cassette for our tandem today. When Iremoved it the other day to do a complete cleaning I noticed that I had a broken tooth from one of the cogs. Since it had about 3800+ miles on it and we plan to do more touring next year I thought I would just replace it before wrapping up the maintenance.
What I was wondering is is it the practice to lube the hub before installing a cassette?
Thanks!
Happy New Year!!

Tom- Of course you should lube the hub if it's design allows it... Oh, do you mean the freehub body? Espicially with the loads that a tandem sees (and the disappointment that the stoker can give the captain...) the maintainance needs to be more often and to a higher degree then a single. Anything that can becleaned and then lubed or otherwise protected against future corrosion should be. Bearings, any and all threaded fittings, pivots, cables all will need their servicing.

To go back to your question. If you're talking about the hub bearings then yes they should have some kind of service after a year or a few thoudand miles. Depending on the design this might mean simply pulling the axle and the seals to add more grease or removing the bearings and replacing or cleaning and lubing before reassembly and possible readjustment. If you're talking about the freehub body splines then a simple cleaning and a very thin aplication of a wet lube or grease is fine. For the lockring threads i like to use grease

I hope you've replaced the cahin too. Andy.

I apply a thin film of grease on the freehub body before sliding the cassette on. This isn't as a lube, but because I ride in all conditions and don't allow any dry gaps where water can wick in and get trapped.

I'm careful to make sure the cassette sprockets and spacers are dry so there's maximum friction holding them together. This helps (slightly) spread some torque load sprocket to sprocket, and might help reduce the tendency of larger sprockets to dig in the the freehub body.

Andrew, The chain only has about 5700 miles on it. I think the cassette was damaged while touring in Michigan this September. We were going up a steep hill and snapped the chain.
BTW I see you are in Rochester. We are making plans for our 1st. tour of 2013 to ride around Lake Ontario. MAybe stopping in rochester to visit my nephew.
We may ride on the Erie Canal Trail. How is it?
Thanks!