Originally Posted by
Drew Eckhardt
The freehub "stub" side of the rear axle is 12mm, with people reporting success transplanting cartridge bearing freehubs although I can't verify confirm that personally - I swapped mine around 2001 before the supply of NOS cup-and-cone 10mm axle 9 speed freehubs dried up.
@gfk_velo should be able to authoritatively confirm or deny compatibility.
Sorry for the late answer - only just seen this one ...
The 3 pawl-3 spring bodies used in the old 8s hubs are not interchangeable with the 3 pawl-1 spring bodies used in later sealed bearing hubs, even though the spindle bore is the same - the depth of the "tail" that carries the pawls is incorrect ...