Grease or Not
 

Should one grease a new freehub body before installing a new cassette on it or not?

Thanks for all responses.

No need to grease the external surfaces of the freehub body. The mating surface between the freehub body and cassette does not need to be lubricated.

Thanks MudPie.

Hey LUCAS. MudPie is technically correct. The interface of freehub/cassette is not a high friction-wear area, nor is it typically a removal problem. However, if you are assembling a new rear end, I think it's a good idea to put a THIN coating of grease on all mating surfaces. Especially if you expect the bike to be exposed to water regularly, or if you live in a coastal area (salty air). My reasoning is not related to probs w/disassembly, but rather with corrosion protection on parts that are not regularly accessed for servicing. I hate surface rust on steel and oxidation on alloy parts, but then I also live right between the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware River.

BTW...when I say THIN coating, I basically mean to smear some grease into an old rag and wipe the parts down with it, just to "wet" the surface with the grease. It's just a preventive precaution I take when assembling parts I don't expect to take apart regularly. You can use whatever lube you feel is good for corrosion protection, but I have found good 'ol wheel bearing grease to be pretty effective (and cheap).
I have an old "grease rag" in a plastic bag just for doing this when assembling stuff.

Whatever you do, good luck...............

Thanks freeradical. I greased the lockring, and I think I am good to go.

Regards,