Hello,
I recently replaced my cheap 27 inch wheels with some new ones from bicyclewheels.com that have sealed bearing hubs but it didnt stop me from hearing a clunking noise from the rear everytime i pedal hard up a hill. i took the wheel off and it was not spinning smoothly at all until i removed the freewheel, then the bearings rolled nice and smooth again. I tossed my pie plate way before any of this happened but i'm wondering if thats what ruined the old wheel.
so basically my questions are:
Does the pie plate serve as a spacer keeping the freewheel from overtightening and putting pressure on the bearing?
If so, is there a spacer you can buy to keep this from happening? or should i get to the co-op and pick up an old pie plate?
or do you think something completely different is happening?

I'm sure the clunking is coming from the rear wheel. it is some what random, but only when i start to hammer and only while pedaling. if i stop, or coast for a bit, the noise will go away after resuming pedaling.

thanks for any advice you can give.