How to flush out a freehub

[Sir Ridesalot]

Hi there.

Is there any way I can flush out my freehub with out taking it off the
wheel?

Where do I put the stuff onto the freehub I am going to flush so that
it goes into the freehub where it will do the most good? I know where
to put it on a freewheel but I have not done this with a freehub yet.

This may sound trivial to the experts here but I do not have
experience servicing freehubs. This is the first one I have had
problems with.

Thanks from Peter

[r***@uiowa.edu]

Post by Sir Ridesalot
Hi there.
Is there any way I can flush out my freehub with out taking it off the
wheel?

Really, take it off the wheel:
remove the cogs
remove the axle
it takes a big 8mm allen wrench to remove most freehubs from the
hub.
Then you can soak it, blast it with wd40, etc

If you can remove a freewheel, they you have the skills to remove a
freehub, it just takes different tools.

[Sir Ridesalot]

Post by r***@uiowa.edu

Post by Sir Ridesalot
Hi there.
Is there any way I can flush out my freehub with out taking it off the

remove the cogs
remove the axle
it takes a big 8mm allen wrench to remove most freehubs from the
hub.
Then you can soak it, blast it with wd40, etc
If you can remove a freewheel, they you have the skills to remove a
freehub, it just takes different tools.

Hi there.

Thank you very much.

I did as you said and removed the cogs and the axle. Good thing too
since there were only 8 bearings on the cog side instead of 9.

Unfortunately this Alivio (7 gears) freehub does not have provision
for an allen/hex key. Instead there are a number of narrow grooves
that run the length of the inside of the body. It looks some thing
like a very narrow splined body. I guess there is a special tool for
removing this particular hub.

I'll buy that tool at the end of the month. I am going to replace the
freehub then with an 8 gear freehub I have on another bent wheel.

For now I am just going to clean the top of this freehub and pour some
varsol on it to soak in and thin the grease which indeed seems to have
thickened.

I know that is just a temporary fix.

Thanks again for your help.

Peter

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

Post by Sir Ridesalot

Post by r***@uiowa.edu

Post by Sir Ridesalot
Hi there.
Is there any way I can flush out my freehub with out taking it off the

remove the cogs
remove the axle
it takes a big 8mm allen wrench to remove most freehubs from the
hub.
Then you can soak it, blast it with wd40, etc
If you can remove a freewheel, they you have the skills to remove a
freehub, it just takes different tools.Hi there.

Thank you very much.
I did as you said and removed the cogs and the axle. Good thing too
since there were only 8 bearings on the cog side instead of 9.
Unfortunately this Alivio (7 gears) freehub does not have provision
for an allen/hex key. Instead there are a number of narrow grooves
that run the length of the inside of the body. It looks some thing
like a very narrow splined body. I guess there is a special tool for
removing this particular hub.

Nope, 10mm allen wrench..not the 8mm mentioned...only 8s DA needed a
special tool.

Post by Sir Ridesalot
I'll buy that tool at the end of the month. I am going to replace the
freehub then with an 8 gear freehub I have on another bent wheel.
For now I am just going to clean the top of this freehub and pour some
varsol on it to soak in and thin the grease which indeed seems to have
thickened.
I know that is just a temporary fix.
Thanks again for your help.
Peter

[Sir Ridesalot]

Post by Qui si parla Campagnolo

Post by Sir Ridesalot

Post by r***@uiowa.edu

Post by Sir Ridesalot
Hi there.
Is there any way I can flush out my freehub with out taking it off the

remove the cogs
remove the axle
it takes a big 8mm allen wrench to remove most freehubs from the
hub.
Then you can soak it, blast it with wd40, etc
If you can remove a freewheel, they you have the skills to remove a
freehub, it just takes different tools.Hi there.

Thank you very much.
I did as you said and removed the cogs and the axle. Good thing too
since there were only 8 bearings on the cog side instead of 9.
Unfortunately this Alivio (7 gears) freehub does not have provision
for an allen/hex key. Instead there are a number of narrow grooves
that run the length of the inside of the body. It looks some thing
like a very narrow splined body. I guess there is a special tool for
removing this particular hub.Nope, 10mm allen wrench..not the 8mm mentioned...only 8s DA needed a

special tool.

Post by Sir Ridesalot
I'll buy that tool at the end of the month. I am going to replace the
freehub then with an 8 gear freehub I have on another bent wheel.
For now I am just going to clean the top of this freehub and pour some
varsol on it to soak in and thin the grease which indeed seems to have
thickened.
I know that is just a temporary fix.
Thanks again for your help.
Peter- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

Thanks again.

Inside the freehub I see 12 long grooves. I assume that the 6 sided
allen key fits into 6 of these grooves?

I do not see any thing remotely resembling an allen socket in there.

However I am willing to but a 10 mm allen key if it will not simple
slip off these grooves.

Peter

[A Muzi]

Post by Sir Ridesalot

Post by Qui si parla Campagnolo

Post by Sir Ridesalot

Post by r***@uiowa.edu

Post by Sir Ridesalot
Is there any way I can flush out my freehub with out taking it off
the wheel?

remove the cogs
remove the axle
it takes a big 8mm allen wrench to remove most freehubs from the
hub.
Then you can soak it, blast it with wd40, etc
If you can remove a freewheel, they you have the skills to remove a
freehub, it just takes different tools.

I did as you said and removed the cogs and the axle. Good thing too
since there were only 8 bearings on the cog side instead of 9.
Unfortunately this Alivio (7 gears) freehub does not have provision
for an allen/hex key. Instead there are a number of narrow grooves
that run the length of the inside of the body. It looks some thing
like a very narrow splined body. I guess there is a special tool for
removing this particular hub.

Nope, 10mm allen wrench..not the 8mm mentioned...only 8s DA needed a

Post by Sir Ridesalot

Post by Qui si parla Campagnolo
special tool.

Post by Sir Ridesalot
I'll buy that tool at the end of the month. I am going to replace the
freehub then with an 8 gear freehub I have on another bent wheel.
For now I am just going to clean the top of this freehub and pour some
varsol on it to soak in and thin the grease which indeed seems to have
thickened.
I know that is just a temporary fix.

Inside the freehub I see 12 long grooves. I assume that the 6 sided
allen key fits into 6 of these grooves?
I do not see any thing remotely resembling an allen socket in there.
However I am willing to but a 10 mm allen key if it will not simple
slip off these grooves.

right, 10mm key
go for it!

[Dave Mayer]

Post by Sir Ridesalot
I did as you said and removed the cogs and the axle. Good thing too
since there were only 8 bearings on the cog side instead of 9.
Unfortunately this Alivio (7 gears) freehub does not have provision
for an allen/hex key. Instead there are a number of narrow grooves
that run the length of the inside of the body. It looks some thing
like a very narrow splined body. I guess there is a special tool for
removing this particular hub.

If this is a standard Shimano freehub, there should be 9 bearings on each
side of the hub. And, as I mentioned in previous posts, the removal tool
should be a 10mm hex key. Does your hub say: "Silent Clutch"??

[A Muzi]

Post by Sir Ridesalot
I did as you said and removed the cogs and the axle. Good thing too
since there were only 8 bearings on the cog side instead of 9.
Unfortunately this Alivio (7 gears) freehub does not have provision
for an allen/hex key. Instead there are a number of narrow grooves
that run the length of the inside of the body. It looks some thing
like a very narrow splined body. I guess there is a special tool for
removing this particular hub.
I'll buy that tool at the end of the month. I am going to replace the
freehub then with an 8 gear freehub I have on another bent wheel.
For now I am just going to clean the top of this freehub and pour some
varsol on it to soak in and thin the grease which indeed seems to have
thickened.
I know that is just a temporary fix.

Those 'splines' fit a 10mm allen key

[Qui si parla Campagnolo]

Post by Sir Ridesalot
Hi there.
Is there any way I can flush out my freehub with out taking it off the
wheel?

No properly

Post by Sir Ridesalot
Where do I put the stuff onto the freehub I am going to flush so that
it goes into the freehub where it will do the most good? I know where
to put it on a freewheel but I have not done this with a freehub yet.
This may sound trivial to the experts here but I do not have
experience servicing freehubs. This is the first one I have had
problems with.
Thanks from Peter

Take axle out, unscrew freehub from hub(10mm allen-lefty-loosey). Take
the little rubber seal off the back of the body, flush well with
WD-40....drip Mobil one in the same place..on a papaer towel until you
see it coming out of the other end...do some more-rebuild.

[Dave Mayer]

Post by Sir Ridesalot
Hi there.
Is there any way I can flush out my freehub with out taking it off the
wheel?

If you are talking about a Shimano freehub you need to take it off the hub.
And, if the freehub needs servicing, then there is a good chance that the
hub bearings could stand some new grease.

If you try to degrease or lube the freehub still attached to the hub, then
you will strip the grease from the hub bearings, and within a short time you
will end up with a much bigger problem than a dirty freehub.

To service the freehub you'll need a 10mm hex key and the tools to remove
the axle, hub cones and bearings. As far as a degreasers/flush solvent,
varsol or paint thinner works well. Water-based solvents (such as the
citrus stuff) are basically useless. In the hands of novice home mechanics,
WD-40 is about the most dangerous substance known, well perhaps next to a
pressure washer. WD-40 is a mediocre degreaser - if you have nothing else.
Apart from this, WD-40 has no other useful application on a bicycle, and
certainly not as a lube.

To lube the freehub, a medium weight oil should be used - not grease, which
would gum hub the pawls. Your hub bearings of course need grease.

[Zog The Undeniable]

Post by Dave Mayer

Post by Sir Ridesalot
Hi there.
Is there any way I can flush out my freehub with out taking it off the
wheel?

If you are talking about a Shimano freehub you need to take it off the hub.
And, if the freehub needs servicing, then there is a good chance that the
hub bearings could stand some new grease.
If you try to degrease or lube the freehub still attached to the hub, then
you will strip the grease from the hub bearings, and within a short time you
will end up with a much bigger problem than a dirty freehub.
To service the freehub you'll need a 10mm hex key and the tools to remove
the axle, hub cones and bearings. As far as a degreasers/flush solvent,
varsol or paint thinner works well. Water-based solvents (such as the
citrus stuff) are basically useless. In the hands of novice home mechanics,
WD-40 is about the most dangerous substance known, well perhaps next to a
pressure washer. WD-40 is a mediocre degreaser - if you have nothing else.
Apart from this, WD-40 has no other useful application on a bicycle, and
certainly not as a lube.
To lube the freehub, a medium weight oil should be used - not grease, which
would gum hub the pawls. Your hub bearings of course need grease.

With the old-school freewheels which contained no plastic parts, I'd
marinade them in white spirit, flush with detergent and clean water,
then dry out in the oven before re-oiling. I wouldn't risk it with a
freehub, which has all kinds of plastic and rubber bits.

There is/used to be a gizmo called a Morningstar Freehub Buddy, which
held the rear freehub seal open so you could bast it out with WD40/GT85
or whatever.

[Bill Westphal]

Post by Zog The Undeniable

Post by Sir Ridesalot
Hi there.
Is there any way I can flush out my freehub with out taking it off the
wheel?

[snip]

Post by Zog The Undeniable
There is/used to be a gizmo called a Morningstar Freehub Buddy, which
held the rear freehub seal open so you could bast it out with WD40/GT85
or whatever.

Finally,

1. Get Freehub buddy and replacement seal from Morningstar

2. take cassette sprockets off freehub, and pry out Shimano seal, and
throw away

3. attach small grease gun to freehub buddy

4. pump 90 weight gear hypoid (from auto parts store) into freehub
till all old gunk comes out from between freehub and wheel

5. pump replacement grease or grease/oil mixture, depending on season
and expected temps, same as 90 weight above in step 4

6. install morningstar seal, replace cassette

Bill Westphal

[john]

Post by Bill Westphal

Post by Zog The Undeniable
There is/used to be a gizmo called a Morningstar Freehub Buddy, which
held the rear freehub seal open so you could bast it out with WD40/GT85
or whatever.Finally,

1. Get Freehub buddy and replacement seal from Morningstar
2. take cassette sprockets off freehub, and pry out Shimano seal, and
throw away
3. attach small grease gun to freehub buddy
4. pump 90 weight gear hypoid (from auto parts store) into freehub
till all old gunk comes out from between freehub and wheel
5. pump replacement grease or grease/oil mixture, depending on season
and expected temps, same as 90 weight above in step 4
6. install morningstar seal, replace cassette
Bill Westphal

Hi Bill
I'll certainly 2nd your above comments. I've had great luck w/ the
Freewheel Buddy & Morningstar seals. The 'buddy is available from:
http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?
id=869877810287&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Cassettes-and-
Freewheels&tc=Freehub-Tools&item_id=MT-FHB1. For <$25.

Perhaps more important than the 'buddy are the Morningstar seals. I
have never had one iota of luck removing the original seal. They
always come out mangled beyond reuse. I wasn't able to find the seals
on BikeToolsEtc. site. Carl can you use your magic search abilities? I
really hope they are still available.

I must add this disclaimer about my success w/ the FreeHub Buddy. The
only time I ride in the rain is if I get caught out in it. And as for
riding in below freezing, forgetabboutit. I suspect that w/ through
flushing out w/ a not H2O solvent, such as diesel fuel & refilling w/
the proper lube it would work in < 0 C conditions. I certainly know I
don't want to disassemble a freehub if I don't have to.

Best wishes,John

[Matt O'Toole]

Post by Zog The Undeniable
With the old-school freewheels which contained no plastic parts, I'd
marinade them in white spirit, flush with detergent and clean water,
then dry out in the oven before re-oiling. I wouldn't risk it with a
freehub, which has all kinds of plastic and rubber bits.

There's a plastic shield in the outer end, and a rubber O-ring in the
inner face. If you're careful, the plastic shield can be pried out and
replaced, but it's probably best left alone. WD40 won't hurt it, nor
will water-based solvents (citrus). It seems like some kind of
nylon/delrin which will stand most petro solvents too. The O-ring can be
pried out easily with an eyeglass screwdriver (don't marinate this in
citrus though).

Post by Zog The Undeniable
There is/used to be a gizmo called a Morningstar Freehub Buddy, which
held the rear freehub seal open so you could bast it out with WD40/GT85
or whatever.

Totally unnecessary. Save your money.

Morningstar recommends grease in freehubs, so what do they know anyway.

Matt O.

[John Forrest Tomlinson]

On Sat, 27 Jan 2007 18:55:08 +0000, Zog The Undeniable

Post by Zog The Undeniable
a
freehub, which has all kinds of plastic and rubber bits.

Are you sure freehubs have plastic and rubber in them? I've seen
plastic in the dust cover that goes over the hub bearings, but is
there plastic or rubber inside>

[A Muzi]

Post by Sir Ridesalot
Hi there.
Is there any way I can flush out my freehub with out taking it off the
wheel?
Where do I put the stuff onto the freehub I am going to flush so that
it goes into the freehub where it will do the most good? I know where
to put it on a freewheel but I have not done this with a freehub yet.
This may sound trivial to the experts here but I do not have
experience servicing freehubs. This is the first one I have had
problems with.

Remove the axle set and clean the hub. Rinse between the inner and
outer bodies, just as a freewheel, compressed air helps. If you remove
the body from the hub (10mm allen key) you can remove the back seal to
get better flow. Use a heavily-bodied oil and repeat each time you
rebuild the hub.