Do freewheels need lubrication?...

[Maz]

Hi

I've noticed recently that the freewheel on the Allez is not turning in reverse as freely as it should do.

I noticed it most during severe frosty mornings when I guess the grease (or water's got in the freewheel?) was frozen...it was OK when it 'thawed out'.

Today, however, nice and mild (7 celcius, so I can't blame the frost) there is a definite reluctance for the freewheel to turn in reverse, causing the upper chain-run to go slack and the jockey-wheels to jump. Hence, it is troublesome when turning the crank in preparation for starting from stopped at lights, for example. I'll try and post a video of it later.

Do freewheels need lubing? If so, what with? Must admit I've never lubed the freewheel and it must be about 3 years old from new and used daily in all weather. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Cubist]

Maz
I had a similar problem, and it could well turn out to be a stiff chain. Mine was actually frozen at the time, and I thought thawing it would be the answer. It took a lot of lubing and riding until it loosened up and behaved itself.

If it is the freehub body you need to find out if it's strippable (not many shimano ones are). If it is, then be careful to make a note of where all the bits and pieces come from so you can put it back together again. Ratchets and pawls can self-destruct in front of your very eyes if not treated with respect!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Yep, even freehubs need a little TLC every once in a while! Crud get's in there

Many are very easy to take apart. Instructions/Diagrams exist on the web for doing these things.
(If you don't know how then it should be an easy job for the LBS and get them to do the rear wheel bearings as well).
Whach out for flying ping****its when you remove the hub body to reveal the pawls etc. Re-grease but not overheavily with a light grease. Vaseline seems to work OK.

 

[Maz]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I went on Sheldon Brown's website and he suggests a way of lubing the freehub which doesn't require any dismantling.

Failing that, I will pluck up some courage and attempt to service the freehub. Unchartered territory for me. I'm geting nervous just thinking about it. But, hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Edit: If I do totally mess up the job, I could always buy a new freehub, right? Would it cost about £30-ish for a Shimano 9-speed?

 

[Cubist]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I went on Sheldon Brown's website and he suggests a way of lubing the freehub which doesn't require any dismantling.

Failing that, I will pluck up some courage and attempt to service the freehub. Unchartered territory for me. I'm geting nervous just thinking about it. But, hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Edit: If I do totally mess up the job, I could always buy a new freehub, right? Would it cost about £30-ish for a Shimano 9-speed?

Maz
Yes, plan B has merit.

 

[tyred]

I just do the Sheldon thing and work oil into it. As Sheldon points out, the freewheel bearing bears no load so it's not as important to have it well lubed as say a BB or wheelbearing.

 

[cyberknight]

I tend to squirt some lube into the gap as well, works fine for me and seems after a quick Google search that its an ok way to do it

 

[Mad at urage]

In the past I have lubed freewheels without dismantling by:

Bath the mechanism in thin oil (e.g. paraffin) for a couple of days. work the mech in the paraffin bath until it all feels smooth.

Dry off paraffin, immerse mech in heavy oil (suggest gear oil, it's designed to not be squeezed out of gears by pressure) for a couple of days. work the mech in this oil, dry off - you'll notice it's less loose now than with paraffin inside it.

Job done. Duuno if that's 'The Sheldon thing' but it worked for me

 

[snailracer]

You don't have a wonky pie plate rubbing against the cassette, do you?

 

[Maz]

You don't have a wonky pie plate rubbing against the cassette, do you?

Pie plate? You mean the plastic disk to stop the rear derailler hitting the spokes? no, i took that off at the last cassette change.

 

[Maz]

I compared the noise made by my Allez (red one, on the right) when reverse cranked compared to a newish bike next to it.
The sound is not great on this vid, but the Boardman was almost silent compared to my gritty-clicking Allez. Even my Sirrus doesn't sound as bad as this and that's about 4 years old from new. Defo needs lubing/servicing.

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