Originally Posted by
Gordiep
The popping from the freewheel is just shoddy manufacturing of the freewheel unit. I'd bet that it's a Shimano (though the ACS are largely the same, quality-wise) and they are often manufactured out-of-round. I have the same problem with the repetitive noises-- just backpedal, get rid of the noise and forget about it. Or buy a White Industries ENO-- I'm saving up for one...
Holy crap. My co worker told me the exact same thing. I guess the threads can be crooked on the Shimano freewheel so I should get a White Industries one. He said they go for $40 so i think I'll spring for it. Does a freewheel wear with a chain? Should I be getting a new chain too? I get to go bike part shopping tomorrow, I love those days.
I'm pretty baffled by the "metal plate around the dropouts" thing. Can you post a pic? Is this usual on Langsters? Pretty weird. Seems like your nuts shouldn't be biting into your frame that hard... are you using quality track nuts (with the independently-moving attached washer)? You should be able to achieve proper tension with your nuts...but a chain tug can help keep things steady. I use the Surly model, but some guys don't like them because they're kind of big. Beefy as hell, though, and very adjustable (they have two axle holes).
Unfortunately I don't have a digi camera. But there's metal plates around the dropouts shaped like a "U." They pretty much have a "circle" etched into them now from the washer. The nuts I'm using are the ones you described. There's the 15mm part, and then a spinny washer attached to it.