Removing freehub body

[Willd]

Got my new 10mm hex-key so thought this would be a doddle It fits the new one fine, but not the one stuck on the bike, which seems to be more like 11-12mm and only has splines around part of the hole.

I'm guessing I need a different tool. The new freehub looks identical apart from this.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Some are 11mm. What sort of freehub/hub?

 

[chriswoody]

It could even be as big as 15mm, if you have a 12 mm thru-axle hub.

I'm fairly certain that's what my Hyperglide freehub is on the Mountain bike.

 

[Willd]

The hub is one of Felt's own. Freehub is a 9 speed Shimano one as far as I can tell, the old one doesn't have any marks on it.

 

[Willd]

Axle fits through the new one OK, so I reckon I may need an 11mm allen key - off to Halfords after lunch

 

[Ajax Bay]

Take the wheel with you.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Axle fits through the new one OK, so I reckon I may need an 11mm allen key - off to Halfords after lunch

A long hex socket is the best tool for this job.

 

[T4tomo]

Axle fits through the new one OK, so I reckon I may need an 11mm allen key - off to Halfords after lunch

you can "add" allen keys together, i.e put together a 6mm & 5mm will operate an 11 allen bolt etc.

 

[Big John]

The fact that the hex key fits one but not the other suggests they're different freehubs. You mention a 'new' one but haven't removed the old one yet. I always get the old one off first before sourcing a new one. There are a multitude of different freehubs. Some undo from the back, some from the front and others can simply pull off. They can all accept a Shimano cassette but are fundamentally different.

 

[fossyant]

I'm with Big John !

 

[Willd]

Removed the old one - 11mm allen key from behind As Big John foresaw, I have the wrong replacement, still it was from Amazon, so free to return. The helpful local bike shop (Not Halfords who didn't even have a 11mm allen key) had 3 similar ones, but not the exact one.

I'll clean the old one up to see if it has any part numbers etc. and try contacting Felt directly.

Now just need a new freehub / hub + freehub / wheel / bike

 

[fossyant]

Can you not give it (the freehub) a service. Pop the seal off the hub side and drop some oil into the freehub (frees up the pawls) and a little grease on the bearings (this is how Shimano type designed freehubs are), or others use sealed cartridge bearings and are easy to pull to bits, with the right tools.

 

[Big John]

I know freehubs aren't cheap these days and if you're prepared to devote a few hours that may end up in tears then go for it and do a service. I think everyone should do at least one so that come the next service you can run a mile and find a replacement instead of doing a DIY. There are two bearing races in bog standard freehubs which hold a shed load of animated, minute ball bearings which will need degreasing, re-greasing and finally reseated. YouTube has videos to show you what to do. They'll help but not much. It's a fiddly job. And then when it all goes back together pray the pawls work. Grease may be a bearing's friend but not a pawl's. If you have a local bike charity they'll sort you out with a freehub if you show them your old one. I think we charge around a fiver for a working used one. We've literally got a boxful and many are different. Just another component that doesn't have a standard part.

 

[fossyant]

I know freehubs aren't cheap these days and if you're prepared to devote a few hours that may end up in tears then go for it and do a service. I think everyone should do at least one so that come the next service you can run a mile and find a replacement instead of doing a DIY. There are two bearing races in bog standard freehubs which hold a shed load of animated, minute ball bearings which will need degreasing, re-greasing and finally reseated. YouTube has videos to show you what to do. They'll help but not much. It's a fiddly job. And then when it all goes back together pray the pawls work. Grease may be a bearing's friend but not a pawl's. If you have a local bike charity they'll sort you out with a freehub if you show them your old one. I think we charge around a fiver for a working used one. We've literally got a boxful and many are different. Just another component that doesn't have a standard part.

Shimano ones are a mare. Others, not so. That said, a Shimano one should work and work. Occasionally might need some grease on the hub side bearings. If starting to slip, oil poured through. I don't do any more.

 

[Willd]

Part of the old one was retained in the hub and wouldn't come out, so in the end I gave up after trying several local bike shops and got a new Shimano wheel and freehub. New wheel was a bit wider than the original, so tyre wasn't quite as easy to fit and brakes needed a bit of adjustment. Hopefully, the new freehub will last 12,000 miles too, but if it doesn't, at least it'll be easy to replace

Oh, I did get a new bike too but I've decided to keep the old one for Winter when mudguards are needed.