Play in freehub

[Stantheman]

i was giving my bike a once over today and found that there was some play in the free hub, it's a Formula hub on a Giant wheel. Would it be ok to leave as is for a few weeks or should I get it sorted asap? It's side to side play not in and out if that makes sense.

 

[TissoT]

could be your lock ring needs nipping up ... not sure how much play you have ..
take it to your LBS and let them have a quick look...

 

[Stantheman]

Do up you mean the lock ring on the cassette? I removed the cassette today to see if I could tell why the play was there, it's about 3 or 4 mm of play at a guess.

 

[TissoT]

Yes on the cassette...... .. could be needing a new freehub at a guess

 

[Stantheman]

That's what I thought, more expense

 

[Stantheman]

Mmm, might have trouble locating a replacement freehub body for this. Any Ideas?

 

[DRHysted]

If you are in doubt take it to a LBS you trust for a second opinion. That's what I did for one of mine, unfortunately my one can't be replaced without changing the entire hub. So next year it will be a complete rebuild job.

 

[Stantheman]

There is a LBS recommended by a mate not to far from me, I will call in as soon as i can. Thanks.

 

[Broadside]

Is that 3 or 4mm play observed on the cassette, or is that looking at the freehub movement itself? If the former then I would leave it until you notice it riding badly, things to watch for are a loud crack as you put the pedals under load, noisy/grinding freewheeling or when the pedals spin without it engaging.

My freehubs on stock wheels tend to develop a bit of play after a couple of thousand miles but then remain rideable for another few thousand.

 

[Stantheman]

The play is observed on the cassette, at first I thought the cassette was loose. It rides perfectly fine, no noticable noise or grinding but indexing has been playing up recently and I wonder if this is connected. If it is possibly ok for now that would be a bonus.

 

[Broadside]

The play is observed on the cassette, at first I thought the cassette was loose. It rides perfectly fine, no noticable noise or grinding but indexing has been playing up recently and I wonder if this is connected. If it is possibly ok for now that would be a bonus.

I would (and do) keep riding with freehubs like that :-) when it starts playing up badly you can swap it out. It's usually best to remove the freehub body with an Allen key (often 11mm) and take it in to your lbs. The unbranded freehubs are a bit of trial and error to get the exact match, they are typically about £25/£30. Good luck!!

 

[Racing roadkill]

I was having a 'mare with a cassette continually coming loose over the last couple of weeks. I had been torque-ing it by feel, just using a ratchet spanner and socket, and guessing what I thought was about 40Nm. I found a 1/4 inch torque wrench in the boot of my car yesterday ( I think I bought it last year and then forgot I had it) It seems my estimate of 40 Nm was actually about 20. The cassette is as tight as a drum now.

 

[MrPie]

Could be that you are missing a cassette spacer.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Could be that you are missing a cassette spacer.

I thought that as well. Adding the spacer didn't help. I gave it the full 40Nm and it's fine now.