Freewheel/hub crunchy
08-25-14, 08:15 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Freewheel/hub crunchy
Whilst pedaling homeward I get a crunchy-pingy sound in the rear. Pulled the wheel off, bearings feel smooth. Freewheel sort of dry. Will a dry freewheel get "crunchy" but still work?
08-25-14, 08:28 PM
#2
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First of all is this a freehub/cassette system or a spin-on freewheel system? Then what do you mean by "dry". Dry on the outside, or do you mean lack of lube on the inside?
Freewheel systems of either kind are very forgiving of lack of lube, because of the basic nature of their operation. There are never parts moving while under load. When you pedal, the ratchet is locked and turns as a unit, and when you're coasting the ratchet parts move, but there's no load because you're coasting.
The biggest consequence of running these while dry of lubricant, is the risk of rust from water entry. So yes, they'll work, but it's not a desirable condition.
Freewheel systems of either kind are very forgiving of lack of lube, because of the basic nature of their operation. There are never parts moving while under load. When you pedal, the ratchet is locked and turns as a unit, and when you're coasting the ratchet parts move, but there's no load because you're coasting.
The biggest consequence of running these while dry of lubricant, is the risk of rust from water entry. So yes, they'll work, but it's not a desirable condition.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
08-25-14, 08:33 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
Its a freewheel, not a cassette. Its been ignored for two years with no lube. I think there is dirt inside and I need to soak it and blow it out and relube.
08-25-14, 08:35 PM
#4
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BTW- the sound changes lime crazy as you clean or flush with solvent. After you oil it should quiet down, but it can take a few days to settle down to normal quiet operation.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
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FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
08-25-14, 08:57 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I just took one off a zombie parts bike. No pawl clicks. Soaked a few hours, blew it out resoaked. Oiledit up. Clean clicks. Sounds like new.
08-27-14, 10:15 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
OK. Got this off. Soaked it. Blew it out. Nice and clean. Oiled it up. Installed.
there is play between threaded section and cog section. No noise on coasting. Crunchy pedaling, pinging. I think that means dead bearings. Replace? Its a Tourney so its not pricey to just buy new.
there is play between threaded section and cog section. No noise on coasting. Crunchy pedaling, pinging. I think that means dead bearings. Replace? Its a Tourney so its not pricey to just buy new.
08-28-14, 01:09 PM
#7
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OK. Got this off. Soaked it. Blew it out. Nice and clean. Oiled it up. Installed.
there is play between threaded section and cog section. No noise on coasting. Crunchy pedaling, pinging. I think that means dead bearings. Replace? Its a Tourney so its not pricey to just buy new.
there is play between threaded section and cog section. No noise on coasting. Crunchy pedaling, pinging. I think that means dead bearings. Replace? Its a Tourney so its not pricey to just buy new.
08-28-14, 02:35 PM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
So the cogs are slightly loose on the freewheel body? Pedalling in top gear might be enough to tighten the threaded first cog against the rest. Crunchy or pinging sounds like a little grit in the chain or on the cogs -- when pedalling, everything in the freewheel should be locked together.
08-28-14, 02:46 PM
#9
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Ah, gotcha. For what it would cost in money/time to open it up and replace bearings (assuming that's all it needs), it sounds like toast to me, too.
08-28-14, 03:18 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
Ordered a new HG37, should have it today. Man, whenever I see an old zombie bike now I look at the freewheel etc. and a hoarding mentality sets in!
08-28-14, 04:16 PM
#11
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08-28-14, 04:34 PM
#12
Mechanic/Tourist
The bearings have no effect at all when pedaling a freewheel. There might be some problem with the pawls. I'd say just go ahead and replace the freewheel (and chain).
