Over tightened freehub lock nut?

[helston90]

So my rear wheel wasn't spinning as well as it should coming to a premature halt and made a slight grate noise. I took the cassette off (very first time) and removed the lock nut to gain access to the bearings, gave them a bit of a service and went to put it back together.

I did everything backwards but when I put the wheel on the bike it would not spin- not freewheel or pedal around, so whipped it off again and loosened the lock nut on the hub a half turn and it spun a bit, another half turn of lock nut and it's fine, spins lovely, all seems to work.

Does this sound normal? should the lock nut not be done up too tight?
I've never ventured into the world of cassettes/ hubs etc. so will happily swallow my pride and drop it at the LBS for them to fix if that's what it needs!

 

[Titanium]

Hi. Not sure if this is pertinent or not, but here it is anyway...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0ph4zIC3-Q
All the best.

 

[helston90]

Thanks for that- I was loosening by turning the locking nut on both sides outwards, I haven't adjusted the cone so that it's locked to the locknut.
Will have a look tomorrow.

 

[Brommyboy]

Tightening the locknut will also tighten the cones: always check after tightening and, if necessary loosen the cone under the locknut. Ideally, you should use two spanners, one on each, and tighten the locknut on to the cone while holding the cone steady. Only the left-hand cone should ever be adjusted, as the right-hand one is usually set against the end of the thread and will move in use if meddled with.

 

[helston90]

So it appears-
Found a good article here on Hub Bearing Overhaul and Adjustment in case anyone has a similar case of taking it apart before knowing how to put it back together.

 

[helston90]

Well after a frustrating 2.5 hours trying to get the balance right, a few skimmed knuckles and the original problem not actually being sorted I'm going to let the guys at the LBS take it on- figured the amount of money I save doing my own work on lots of other jobs justifies them being paid to tackle this little blighter!
Will be banging on the door first thing on the way to work.