Freewheel

[Punkawallah]

Hi all,
Galaxy, trundling along no problems. Swapped 5 speed freewheel, which now slips only on the 14t cog despite showing no obvious wear. Chain line set up on the middle cog.
So; new chain, undid the B screw, pulled the wheel as far back on the drop-outs as it would go, tried both chainrings, still slipping.
Assuming the 14t cog is not worn, what have I missed?

 

[figbat]

Chain too long?

 

[goldcoastjon]

Hi all,
Galaxy, trundling along no problems. Swapped 5 speed freewheel, which now slips only on the 14t cog despite showing no obvious wear. Chain line set up on the middle cog.
So; new chain, undid the B screw, pulled the wheel as far back on the drop-outs as it would go, tried both chainrings, still slipping.
Assuming the 14t cog is not worn, what have I missed?

The repeated skipping despite swapping chains indicates that the FW cog is *probably* the issue: look more closely at it.

Are any of the teeth on the 14t cog bent, hook-shaped, or chipped?

Try rotating the crank v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y in the highest gear (big ring in front, 14t on rear). watch the chain for skips or hops as it moves over the 14t cog.

Is the freewheel snug on the hub and not tightening down as you pedal?

Are any of the chain links tight or are any pins improperly inserted (not equally balanced side-to-side) ?

Good luck!

 

[Punkawallah]

Chain too long?

Not to my knowledge - there is no chain ‘contact’ at the rear when in both small cogs, and when in both large cogs the chain ‘steps down’ the cage. But I’ll hold that thought for later, thanks.

 

[Punkawallah]

The repeated skipping despite swapping chains indicates that the FW cog is *probably* the issue: look more closely at it.

Are any of the teeth on the 14t cog bent, hook-shaped, or chipped?

Try rotating the crank v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y in the highest gear (big ring in front, 14t on rear). watch the chain for skips or hops as it moves over the 14t cog.

Is the freewheel snug on the hub and not tightening down as you pedal?

Are any of the chain links tight or are any pins improperly inserted (not equally balanced side-to-side) ?

Good luck!

Thanks! The worst that can happen is I adjust the limiters and run on eight gears - the 36 tooth is the important one if I’m carrying a load :-)
I’ll take it out for a run Thursday, they put it back on the stand and give your suggestions a try.

 

[midlife]

Just out of curiosity, which new freewheel and chain did you buy ?

 

[Punkawallah]

Just out of curiosity, which new freewheel and chain did you buy ?

The chain is a Clark’s 5-7 speed, my normal one. The freewheel is a second-hand one I’ve been using for a couple of seasons, a Suntour Perfect 8.8.8 14-36t.

 

[midlife]

New / old chains and freewheels dont always work. BITD we always put on a new "block and chain". The small cog is usually the culprit as the wrapround is small.

I expect a brand new freewheel to match the brand new chain would help .

 

[Punkawallah]

New / old chains and freewheels dont always work. BITD we always put on a new "block and chain". The small cog is usually the culprit as the wrapround is small.

I expect a brand new freewheel to match the brand new chain would help .

I’d agree. But the old chain did not work when I swapped the freewheel, so tried a new chain. Replacing the old chain with the other changes in place is worth a thought, though. Thanks.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

For what a new 5 speed freewheel costs these days, I'd just bang a new one on.

 

[fossyant]

The freewheel could easily be knackered - i.e. more technical, the pawls could be slipping. Get a new one. Same happens with freehubs.

 

[figbat]

The freewheel could easily be knackered - i.e. more technical, the pawls could be slipping. Get a new one. Same happens with freehubs.

Not just in one gear though.

 

[Punkawallah]

The freewheel could easily be knackered - i.e. more technical, the pawls could be slipping. Get a new one. Same happens with freehubs.

If the pawls were slipping, I would have slipping on all gears, no?
The last Suntour freewheel came off the line in the 80’s, mine is from the 70’s :-)

 

[Punkawallah]

For what a new 5 speed freewheel costs these days, I'd just bang a new one on.

Tempting, if only someone made a 36t freewheel today . . .