Slight play in freewheel !

[atlantis]

Hi !

My Trek 7.1 fx has been used for about 1 1/2 years, and I checked the chain had stretched a little, checked it with a xtools gauge the .75 marker was almost in. On close observation, I shook the freewheel to and fro with my hand and felt some play. I felt the play, is a little above normal. I checked other bikes and it was not the same. Its a 7 speed freewheel .

Is this a matter of concern ? Or am I just over reacting ?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Freewheels can develop some play after time and in my personal experience it didn't cause any issues. If it does worry you, these are not terribly expensive parts so you could replace it. I like these: link.

Ignore the picture, this has the big 34 tooth bottom gear like the one you already have but has a 13 tooth top gear instead of the 14 tooth which I found better as my bike previously felt very slightly under-geared.

 

[atlantis]

So should I just change the chain and live with the freewheel cassette till it breaks down ?
Another question which I had was I am aware a stretched chain will eat up the cassette/ freewheel eventually, does it have the same damaging effect to the crank as well ?

 

[fossyant]

A worn chain takes longer to wear the chain rings as they are much larger and distribute force better.

 

[HovR]

As RickshawPhil has said, freewheels tend to develop some play. It is possible to strip them down and rebuild them, which normally removes the play, but it's far more hassle than it's worth.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

So should I just change the chain and live with the freewheel cassette till it breaks down ?
Another question which I had was I am aware a stretched chain will eat up the cassette/ freewheel eventually, does it have the same damaging effect to the crank as well ?

Without seeing the bike for myself it's hard to judge how bad the play you're talking about is, but based on past experience I'd say that the likelyhood is that the teeth on the freewheel will wear out before it breaks down.

If it was my bike I'd be inclined to replace the chain and just use it.

Something to note is that a screw on freewheel and a cassette are different and not interchangable. Assuming nothing has changed since my brother bought one last year, the Trek 7.1fx uses a screw on freewheel. Link to Sheldon Brown's explanation

If you do decide to replace the freewheel you will need a special tool like this and a long handled wrench with appropriate sized socket. I use an extending wheel wrench for this job.