Pawls and springs

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Jugular

Well-Known Member
Location
Manchester
I've just taken apart the rear hub on my wife's old bike. It's Campag and I can't find much to help me out. I've regreased and resat all the bearings and cleaned out the hub. The problem is with refitting the Freehub since the springs and pawls have come away from the Freehub. I've tried to 'glue' them into the right spot with some grease but I'm having difficulty with getting them back in place without coming loose. Does anyone know and tips or tricks for doing this?

Thanks
 
I presume they are the 3 pawls with 3 springs?

The easiest way needs a bit of practice but basically you place the freehub next to the hub and tilt it slightly towards one pawl. Then with a flat bladed screwdriver push that pawl in and push gently on the freehub so that the pawl enters the hub. Take the screwdriver away and that pawl should stay engaged.

You just repeat that step for the other two - job done.

Otherwise you need some dental floss and a very small elastic band. Thread the floss through the band and then pop tyhe band over the pawls so that it is holding them down. Insert the freehub only halfway and then pull the rubber band away with the floss and insert the freehub completely.

ps - the pawls and freehub should have little bosses or indents that the springs stick to and keeps them in place.

There is some more here

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/workshop-how-to-overhaul-your-freehub-23757/
 

boydj

Legendary Member
Location
Paisley
I had the same problem with an old Mirage hub. I eventually tied the pawls in place with thread, got them half-inserted and then pulled the thread free. It is fiddly, though and takes a bit of patience.
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
There should be a thin oil seal in the hub, into which the freehub body slides. Assemble the pawls and springs, hold them in with your fingers curling around the freehub from the outboard end and slip the FH into place, holding the pawls in while rotating the FH backwards. Once the seal is holding the pawls in place you can remove your fingers. Keep rotating backwards and slip the FH home fully. Simples.
 
OP
OP
J

Jugular

Well-Known Member
Location
Manchester
Thanks very much for the responses. I'll go and try it with some dental floss and see how it goes. The bike radar link was handy too. I hope I can get the O-ring seal into place properly it's currently sitting quite loosely on top of the bearings.

Worked a treat thanks! Turns out I over tightened the cone since the wheel isn't running right.

How do bikeshops clean cassette "spiders"?

Does anyone use anything other than Rustoff for chipped paint work?
 
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