Freehub went nearly silent
08-10-09, 09:30 AM
#1
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Freehub went nearly silent
Over the weekend I tore down and rebuilt my hub. This morning when I got to work, I realized that the freehub is barely making any ratcheting noise at all, although it engages just fine after coasting.
Here's the overall scoop:
- Deore 530 hub
- had a pitted NDS cone
- replaced both cones and all bearings
- repacked with Phil Wood grease
Everything is rolling smooth as new, but the only thing that disturbs me is that very quiet freehub, which used to make a fair amount of clicking as it coasted.
Is this something I should worry about? What is the likely reasoning behind it?
Here's the overall scoop:
- Deore 530 hub
- had a pitted NDS cone
- replaced both cones and all bearings
- repacked with Phil Wood grease
Everything is rolling smooth as new, but the only thing that disturbs me is that very quiet freehub, which used to make a fair amount of clicking as it coasted.
Is this something I should worry about? What is the likely reasoning behind it?
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08-10-09, 09:44 AM
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the shimano fairies replaced your freehub with a silent clutch?
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08-10-09, 09:57 AM
#3
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Possible, but unlikely since I don't think they can squeeze in past the dust seals. 
I'm thinking it's probably some seepage of grease getting back into the freehub mechanism since I had a pretty fair amount of it packed into the bearing cups during the rebuild.
I'm thinking it's probably some seepage of grease getting back into the freehub mechanism since I had a pretty fair amount of it packed into the bearing cups during the rebuild.
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08-11-09, 08:13 AM
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CliftonGK1, i did the same thing over the weekend because i thought something was wrong w/ my rear hub/freehub...after putting everything back, when freewheeling..its almost completely silent...not sure if anybody knows if this is ok...safe to ride still?? i dont have any name brand cassette or hub/freehubs so...when i saw this post i started to wonder...
08-11-09, 03:53 PM
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It's perfectly fine; I actually prefer them to be quiet. The only issue you might get is in winter where the grease gets thick and keeps the pawls from engaging.
08-12-09, 07:33 AM
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oh that doesnt make feel any better ... i like biking during the winter too!.. if this happens...do i really have to replace the freehub then? thanks!
08-12-09, 07:54 AM
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It will not cause any permanent damage. The hub will work OK once unfrozen. If you're worried, just winterize your freehub with thinner lubricant (see this article at icebike.org).
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08-12-09, 08:39 AM
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I think the new grease is muffling the ratchet sound. The sound will come back gradually.
If you want it back sooner, pour in generous amounts of oil and thinner.
If you want it back sooner, pour in generous amounts of oil and thinner.
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08-12-09, 09:44 AM
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Well there's also no certainly that the cold will make it too thick to work, especially if you store the bike inside. Don't stress about it; just ride it and see what happens when it gets cold.
08-12-09, 09:49 AM
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Juha is in Finland, where winters are much colder than most of the US. I haven't heard of grease freezing here in New Jersey. Maybe it does in Minnesota.
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08-12-09, 01:02 PM
#11
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it get very cold here in nny like 40 below ( in the winter time ) and i haven't have the grease freeze around here and i do use grease in my freehubs & freewheels.
08-12-09, 01:04 PM
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Goodness. They should call it Icetown, not Watertown.
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08-12-09, 01:28 PM
#13
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i agree but they call it watertown because we have the black river (yes that is the name of the river) running right in the middle of it,and we avg. 3" of rain each month. in the winter's months (oct.-april) that a lot of snow.we avg. close to 10' every winter.
08-12-09, 02:57 PM
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Really cold around here is 20F. Not minus twenty. Twenty above. I'm relatively unconcerned with grease freezing up on me.
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