Freehub gone funny

[Sittingduck]

I was out of the saddle giving it some up a v steep hill in 1st gear yesterday and heard a "twangy-clangy" type of noise. Then I noticed that the normally loud Campag freehub was not making the rattlesnake noise when freewheeling, after this incident. Also noticed that the drive to the backwheel seems to slip forward minutely ever so often under load now Do you think I have sh*gged the freehub? The wheels are only a couple of months old but sending them back to Parker International would be a pain and I'm not sure if the warranty would cover this... Should I just take it down to the LBS to assess? I can do some bike maintenance (built it myself) but servicing freehubs and stuff like that seems a bit out of my league

Not sure if I should be posting this in the Know How forum or Beginners either

Cheers,
SD

 

[4F]

Mmmm that does not sound good. Does sound like a freehub issue however they are not that difficult to replace http://bicycletutor.com/freehub-body/
but given that they are new wheels that is a bit of a p****r. Think posting this in know how would get a better response.

 

[Sittingduck]

Okay Cheers FFFF. Took a look at the vid and will probably gte the bike up on the stand later to take a look-see. NOt sure I want to be removing bearings etc on a wheel thats pretty new so I'll probably take it down the LBS.

Thanks,
SD

 

[Banjo]

Mine did the same thing.Occasionally losing drive to the wheel,back pedalling would make it drive again . My bike has a freewheel rather than a freehub so replaced the complete thing.Easy to do but you need the special tool.

 

[ianrauk]

had the same problem. The freehub springs/ratchet sounds like they are getting stuck.
Get the freehub body off, into a bowl of white spirit or degreaser for a while. Give it a good shake and let it dry, then pump some grease onto the holes on the inside.
Should work... it did for me...

 

[Sittingduck]

Cheers Ian - I'll try it later on. Also need to give my Globe's transmission a bleedin' good clean. This morning's ride was embarrasingly squeaky!

 

[Sittingduck]

Ian - did you have to remove the axel & wheel bearings to get the freehub off?

Cheers,
SD

 

[ianrauk]

yes mate, bike tutor shows you how to do it.
Not as scary as it looks mate.
Just remember that you only have to undo the bolts on one side. And place each bolt somewhere in order that you take off so that you can put back together the right way again.

Axle removal, clean and replace here
http://bicycletutor.com/overhaul-wheel-bearings/

Remove freehub body here
http://bicycletutor.com/freehub-body/

it's where I learnt mate

 

[Sittingduck]

It's fixed (I think)!
Had a bit of a hairy moment when some random piece of curved wire dropped out as I was trying to losten the axel nut
I think it was actually this wire that was causing the problem... managed to work out where it should have been and put it back in it's place - think it is what helps the internal section of the freehub get purchase on the ratchet part Anyway a lot of grease and oily bits were prodded but it's clicking loudly again now and seems not to be slipping

Check it out:
Ooops - where do I shove this bit?!

Thanks all,
SD

 

[ianrauk]

excellent... all nicely sorted then.
Bearings & axle all went back in ok?

 

[Sittingduck]

Yeah - I didn't remove the bearings, I slid out the axel with freehub still attached to it via the drive side. I will have to try a couple of gentle laps round Clapham Common in the morning... not straying far from home just incase

 

[Sittingduck]

Update:

Looks like the "random bit of wire" was infact the Pawl Spring. I have found it on Ribble here
What worries me is the fact the the spring that had popped out of my Freehub looked like HALF the one in the link. At the time I assumed there were 2 wire parts in the hub but could it be that there is a single spring that has actually snapped in two? B) As mentioned previously it now appears to be ok but I guess having 2 springy bits instead of 1 single one to hold the internal notches in place so they catch on the ratchet part (I'm not explaining this very well am I) is very dodgy?

Cheers
SD

 

[ianrauk]

I would get the hub replaced mate. If it shuts open suddenly you may find yourself having a bite of your handlebars.

 

[Sittingduck]

I'll take it into the LBS on Friday, see if they can take a look. It's probably just the spring but I don't think I'd feel 100% confident doing a long ride on it.

Thanks
SD

 

[ianrauk]

get it done before sunday mate