Shimano freehub issue

[13 rider]

My freehub on my Shimano rear wheel has stopped working just spins both ways, no ratchet engagement

Is this a serviceable part ? ,How do you get to the pawls ?
If unserviceable any idea on replacement number ,have Googled a replacement and its got the same number of splines

 

[Cycleops]

You could try flushing it with WD40 or whatever, that's worked for me on SS freewheels. If the pawls are knackered check out RJ's video:

View: https://youtu.be/X9gIEG1db0s

 

[Gunk]

Try soaking it in petrol for a few hours

 

[13 rider]

Currently being fed wd40 over a few hours

 

[iluvmybike]

Shimano freehub bodies can be replaced - you need to identify the actual hub (should be stamped on hub axle - starting FH-???) as there are different fittings. Then find a supplier. St Johns St Cycles are often a good source for these

 

[13 rider]

So apart from the special homemade socket and the 50 ball bearing to worry about it's dead simple

 

[13 rider]

Shimano freehub bodies can be replaced - you need to identify the actual hub (should be stamped on hub axle - starting FH-???) as there are different fittings. Then find a supplier. St Johns St Cycles are often a good source for these

Im unable to find any markings anywhere . I had search sjs website I think I found a match I will call them tomorrow .

 

[Ajax Bay]

When this happened to me in November (an FH-5700), at 11:20pm on the way back from the pub in the 'middle of nowhere' it was a long scoot after some abortive attempts (even heavy zip-ties just get sliced) to secure the cassette to the spokes. (From subsequent advice on this forum, a workable solution would have been to remove and use my front gear cable to do the securing.)
LBS had a replacement on the shelf and the wheel was (clean and) ready to go that evening.
I observe that this failure really isn't something you want to risk and once it's happened once, it's going to happen again. Replace.

 

[iluvmybike]

Im unable to find any markings anywhere . I had search sjs website I think I found a match I will call them tomorrow .

In that case it may not be a Shimano freehub - just because it is able to take a Shimano cassette doesn't mean it is Shimano brand freehub - there are lots of other brands - (one of the most common on many stock bikes is Formula) but every wheel manufacturer uses different makes of freehub

 

[13 rider]

I just presumed it's a Shimano one as it came on a fairly cheap Shimano rs100 wheel but it could be a generic one . Have found one on sjs website which mentions rs100 and guess what it's out of stock . Will probably take it to lbs to see if they can identify it and order through them .

 

[iluvmybike]

I just presumed it's a Shimano one as it came on a fairly cheap Shimano rs100 wheel but it could be a generic one . Have found one on sjs website which mentions rs100 and guess what it's out of stock . Will probably take it to lbs to see if they can identify it and order through them .

Aye, if is is a Shimano wheel it will be one of their freehubs. I'd give SJS a call though as you can sometimes put another Shimano freehub body on depending on exact fittings - some interchangeable. I have always found SJS to be helpful. Stock levels on Shimano parts is a major issue at present world-wide

 

[Big John]

Judging by the photo the pawls are likely to be bunged up in gunge. Soak in petrol or white spirit and there's a good chance it'll clear a bit of gunge enough for the pawls to be released. At least you'll have a usable freehub again. Then I'd spray it liberally with GT85 to lubricate the bearings. It might then be an idea to source a new one in due course 😉

 

[13 rider]

Update , it's been soaking in gunk degreaser for 3 hours and I'm begining to get the occasional ratchet action. Will leave in soak overnight and see , obviously this is going to strip the grease off the bearings . Will source a replacement anyway

 

[rogerzilla]

They are serviceable with a TL-FH40 tool (unobtanium, but Chinese knock-offs are available) to unscrew the bearing cup (which is also the cone for the freewheel bearings). Sometimes pawl springs are broken and no spares are available. Unfortunately, freehub bodies for older hubs are also unobtanium. There is more cross-compatibility than Shimano will let on, but you really are on your own when finding one that will fit.

 

[boydj]

I had this issue many years ago with basic Shimano wheels.. I laid the wheel on its side and tried to force lots wd40 or gt85 (can't remember which) into the gaps. This got the ratchet working again. I followed this up with lying it on its side again and dribbling oil into the gaps multiple time over the next day or so. The freewheel worked fine for a long time after that.

It seems to be a common problem that the very light grease used by the manufacturer eventually gums up over the years.