New freehub

[compo]

I have just bought a new Shimano freehub, FH-RM35. Freehubs are a new thing for me coming from a freewheel background so please excuse my basic question. The freehub comes with a plain round washer, 1mm thick. I have seen shaped washers online, but this one is just a flat round washer. The only part of the freehub where it matches the freehub diameter is against the end furthest from the wheel. I am guessing that some cassettes need it. My existing freehub doesn't have a washer so is it safe to leave it off when I reassemble the hub?

Edit: I have just found a PDF for this freehub and it shows the washer, called a "Hub Shell Spacer" between the freehub and the wheel so I will have to see what comes off when I dismantle the hub.

 

[fossyant]

Only use it if you need to. Oh, a little tip, it's often cheaper to buy the whole hub, then butcher it and replace the knackered freehub. As a bonus you get a new axel, bearings and seals.

 

[ianrauk]

The washer/spacer is for 10 speed cassettes is it not?

 

[compo]

Thanks Fossyant. I realised that about buying the complete hub assy but this particular hub has apparently been discontinued and is rarer than gnats teeth. It has taken me 6 months to just get hold of a freehub body, my LBS had it on back order for months. Other LBS's just state it cannot be obtained. I am glad to get hold of what I did.

 

[martint235]

The washer/spacer is for 10 speed cassettes is it not?

I thought it was for fitting an SRAM cassette to a Shimano hub.

 

[ianrauk]

I thought it was for fitting an SRAM cassette to a Shimano hub.

Need one for Shimano 10 sp cassettes also

 

[martint235]

Need one for Shimano 10 sp cassettes also

Got a horrible feeling I'm not using one. **decides to check tomorrow as I'm replacing the cassette on Lelly**

 

[compo]

I thought it was for fitting an SRAM cassette to a Shimano hub.

Now you're getting technical

 

[ianrauk]

Got a horrible feeling I'm not using one. **decides to check tomorrow as I'm replacing the cassette on Lelly**

Both myself and that Preston fella speak from experience..

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

The washer/spacer is for 10 speed cassettes is it not?

I suspect the OP is talking about the spacer that exists between the vast majority of Shimano freehub and the hub shell (item 14 below), rather than the spacer between the cassette and the freehub, of which the chart here might be of use.

 

[compo]

I suspect the OP is talking about the spacer that exists between the vast majority of Shimano freehub and the hub shell (item 14 below), rather than the spacer between the cassette and the freehub, of which the chart here might be of use.

You are correct, as I pointed out in my initial post after asking the question about the washer. I am not sure my existing setup uses a washer so if I find it does at least I am now confident where it fits.

 

[accountantpete]

I think the only change Shimano made was to move the male starred boss (next to 14) a little further inboard of the hub so as to improve contact efficiency.

The outer rim of the hub immediately outside the boss therefore protuded slightly so a washer was needed to keep the freehub clear of the hub when tightened up. You need to check your hub to see if the washer is necessary.

 

[martint235]

Both myself and that Preston fella speak from experience..

Well Lelly definitely doesn't have a washer there. There was one with the new cassette but when I tried fitting it, it just threw everything out of place