freehub swap
 

Hi
I got a deal on some wheels but they are 600 7 speed.So can I swap the freehub for a 9spd and will this impact the wheel strength
Ie are the hub flanges different leaving a weaker than normal 9speed wheel

Sorry I just reread my post and what I really meant are the flanges narrower on a 7spd meaning extra dish on the wheel compared to a 9 speed.

The shells are usually the same, or very similar between the various speeds, 6s-11s. But going to a different freehub will require a compatible freehub in terms of how it mounts to the shell and redishing the wheel to recenter it on the now wider OLD axle width. Also you might want a new axle depending on how much wider the new arrangement is. 4-5mm added width is usually OK, but going from 126-135 really wants a new axle.

Thanks, the spacing is 126 to 130.Bye the way is swapping the freehub a messy business involving 50 tiny bearings which go everywhere as soon as you take it off.

It shouldn't have been. Shimano freehub bodies come off the hub in one piece by unscrewing a hollow 10mm allen bolt from the hub shell (you have to remove the axle to get at it). It sounds like you unscrewed the hub bearing race, which is also one of the bearing races for the freehub mechanism. What exactly did you remove?

+1
A Shimano freehub is a self-contained module, with the freewheel mechanism and freehub bearings within. You will have to deal with the typical hub bearings at both ends.

BTW- It doesn't sound like the OP took it apart, just asking in advance