Bicycle TutorBicycle Tutor

Show off your bike!

Post Reply 

Cassette grinding, cleaning or disassemble

Related video tutorials:
Author Message
tj cycler Offline
New Member
*****


Posts: 2
Joined: Mar 2009
Post: #1
 
Great tutorials on cassettes and freewheels.

I have an older 7 speed freewheel, and have removed it from the hub. When spinning by hand, there was noticeable grinding, like sand. I flushed it out with cleaner and water under pressure, and this has eliminated most of the grinding, but there is still some minor intermittant grinding.

Should I attempt to disassmble the wratchet freewheel mechanism, and clean, or is it too complex, and should I just continue to clean by flushing through the cracks?

Thanks in advance.

ps. There wasn't really a category on Cassettes, just wheels and hubs... (or I might have missed it).
Mar 22, 2009 09:50 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Skyguy9999 Offline
Senior Member
*****


Posts: 116
Joined: Aug 2008
Post: #2
 
A freewheel will show much more resistance when you try to turn it by hand than if it's on the hub. In fact, the clicking will be louder. So probably no problem.

The problem actually depends on what you did by "flushing it out with cleaner and water under pressure". If it's under the rachet assembly (as I think you meant by the second question), then you might just have caused more problems than you solved. Trying to disassemble it would go more down that same road, to the point that you might not get it back together. It's just not wise.

After all, new freewheels are cheap enough for what you get ($14.80 USD for this one). You get it clean and then you get fresh cogs (a concern anyway, more than the mechanicals of it) and fresh lube/bearings sealed within it. If you're really dead set in mind that the old one has a problem, you'd do best just to replace it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G0RMOK

Why is it that they make adult bikes that'll generally work for 5'9" or above, yet when you pedal these same bikes they only work for someone who is 5'4" or so?
Mar 22, 2009 11:36 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
tj cycler Offline
New Member
*****


Posts: 2
Joined: Mar 2009
Post: #3
 
Hi Sky,

Didn't realize a new freewheel was that inexpensive. I don't think there is anything really wrong with my existing, and it was grinding alot worse before I cleaned it.

My cleaning was just pouring clean varsol over it as I spun the mechanism. That got alot out, but I couldn't get a good stream of varsol, so put it under a running tap, while spinning, and that got more out.

In any case, I think you're right. I'll just put it back on, as I don't think there is anything really wrong with it, and if it "wears" down, or has any mechanical problems, then a new unit is the way to go.

Thanks again for the insight, and the link!
Mar 22, 2009 07:48 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
DaveM Online
Senior Member
*****


Posts: 558
Joined: Aug 2008
Post: #4
 
Yeah, taking them apart can be a nightmare. I would jsut flush with a good heavy oil. You do want to make sure you flush any remaining water out because that will wear out the freewheel rapidly. But an occasional flush with oil will keep it going for a long time. Just watch for excess oil dripping on your rims/brakes. Good to let it sit for a while for any excess to come out.
Mar 25, 2009 12:00 PM
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread: Author Replies: Views: Last Post
  Cleaning chain with diesel fuel erdem 1 58 Jul 27, 2010 05:16 PM
Last Post: Bill
  Petroleum as cleaning material? doki 5 424 May 1, 2010 10:06 AM
Last Post: Surly LHT
  Cleaning derailleurs/shifters/brakes agjell 13 1,939 Feb 19, 2010 05:16 PM
Last Post: Surly LHT
  Tip for cleaning chain! Bill 4 1,487 Jan 4, 2010 12:57 PM
Last Post: Jordan300
  Cleaning Park Tool CM5 chain cleaner brushes beatleboyy 1 1,195 Nov 18, 2009 10:18 AM
Last Post: srglassw
  Cleaning bike Bacnine 1 958 Nov 20, 2008 03:14 PM
Last Post: Alex Ramon
  Cleaning chain larryws 4 914 Aug 6, 2008 06:11 PM
Last Post: larryws
  Cleaning after a ride Guest 1 648 Jul 18, 2008 03:54 AM
Last Post: Alex Ramon

Forum Jump:


RSS Forum RSS Feeds / Powered by MyBB

ISSN 1918-3445 © Copyright 2007-2010 Bicycle Tutor / Privacy Policy

feed