Loose cogs on freewheel
10-09-09 | 08:50 PM
#1
Loose cogs on freewheel
**Cross posted to Mechanics**
Cleaning my drive train tonight and noticed something odd with the freewheel. It's a NOS Suntour Winner 7 spd Ultra (4 notch) with about 200 miles on it, and when I was cleaning it I noticed that all of the cogs except the smallest 2 seem to be loose. That is, they rotate slightly on the body. They don't wiggle side to side, but will turn back and forth about a tooth length. It seems to be worse with the largest 2. Everything seems tight and the body is smooth, spins perfect, sounds good. I don't have a removal tool so I can't take it off right now, but before it was put it on, a close inspection didn't reveal any problems. The cogs don't seem to be slipping forward when pulled by the chain. Is this freewheels safe to use or should it not be ridden at all until I can't get to the shop to have it removed and check out?
Cleaning my drive train tonight and noticed something odd with the freewheel. It's a NOS Suntour Winner 7 spd Ultra (4 notch) with about 200 miles on it, and when I was cleaning it I noticed that all of the cogs except the smallest 2 seem to be loose. That is, they rotate slightly on the body. They don't wiggle side to side, but will turn back and forth about a tooth length. It seems to be worse with the largest 2. Everything seems tight and the body is smooth, spins perfect, sounds good. I don't have a removal tool so I can't take it off right now, but before it was put it on, a close inspection didn't reveal any problems. The cogs don't seem to be slipping forward when pulled by the chain. Is this freewheels safe to use or should it not be ridden at all until I can't get to the shop to have it removed and check out?
10-09-09 | 09:57 PM
#2
juneeaa memba!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,631
Likes: 5
From: boogled up in...Idaho!
Bikes: Crap. The box is not big enough...
you'll need a chain whip to check the tightness of the last one or two cogs (if i recall i think that it is the second cog that tightens the stack, and the first cog screws into the second, but it may just be the other way around...). If there is no room to tighten the cogs any more you need a second chainwhip, so that you can unscrew the binding cogs from the body. The other cogs just slide on. Sometimes there is a washer under the stack, sometimes not. Sounds like you need one, maybe.
10-10-09 | 05:17 AM
#3
Freewheel Medic
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13,545
Likes: 3,287
From: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
I've not disassembled any of the New Winner freewheels, but have worked on many Perfect Suntour FWs.
In the case of the Perfect FWs, the larger 3-4 cogs (5 & 6 speed FWs) slide onto the FW body and their splines engage the notches in the FW body. The cogs are separated by spacers. The last two cogs thread on, the first tightening the back 3-4 cogs and the last one locking into place the 2nd cog. A very thin spacer (acts like a washer) is between the two threaded cogs.
If your last 5 cogs are rotating on the FW body, I'd guess that someone installed the wrong cogs on it. Possibly the Suntour version of freehub cogs I believe were called Accushift. Those cogs have different splines then the FW cogs.
In the case of the Perfect FWs, the larger 3-4 cogs (5 & 6 speed FWs) slide onto the FW body and their splines engage the notches in the FW body. The cogs are separated by spacers. The last two cogs thread on, the first tightening the back 3-4 cogs and the last one locking into place the 2nd cog. A very thin spacer (acts like a washer) is between the two threaded cogs.
If your last 5 cogs are rotating on the FW body, I'd guess that someone installed the wrong cogs on it. Possibly the Suntour version of freehub cogs I believe were called Accushift. Those cogs have different splines then the FW cogs.
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Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
