overhauling freehubs?

[lph]

Ok *sigh* so the insanely expensive Hope hub I bought to build my own rear wheel wasn't indestructible after all. The cassette now spins freely both forwards and backwards, and it's not because it's frozen. I took the wheel indoors last night and it's just as bad.

So - can I remove and overhaul or replace just the cassette body (i.e. the thingy the cassette slides onto)? I've been looking for tutorials, but so far only found one that mentions cup-and-cone hubs. I've overhauled those before, but not just the cassette body, and I've not removed a cartridge bearing yet (well, not from a wheel, just from a bottom bracket).

Any tips? I'll do some more searching, but I figured I might as well ask here first :)

[OakLeaf]

If it turns both ways, it's a pawl(s) or spring that's failed, not the bearings. You *may* be able to get the parts, but it's unlikely, and even if you did, it's a HUGE undertaking to mess with springloaded parts that are that small.

I once had a freewheel apart for no good reason, back in the day when I would just take things apart. I did manage to get it back together and it worked until the bike was stolen years later :(, but if I'd lost a pawl when they all flew everywhere, I probably wouldn't have. :p

Best to just replace the freehub body. Every brand is different so make sure you're searching on Hope. A lot of links (YouTube and forum links) come up when I google "Hope freehub replacement" or "overhaul." Check Hope's own website too, a lot of times manufacturers have .pdfs of their service manuals and parts fiches. Best to rely on the manufacturer for stuff like torque and clearance specifications - call them if you can't find the specs online.

"Hope"fully Deb will chime in later. ;)

[Becky]

Hope should have instructions on their website for replacing the freehub body.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25986 I'm a fan of steel freehub bodies. They're a little heavier, but less likely to notch like an alloy one will.

[lph]

Dang, you ladies are good. Thank you for doing the searching I should have done myself, and for good tips :) Truth be told I was feeling a bit whiny that my expensive wheel was broken, but now I'm back to thinking I can fix it.

[DebW]

Looks like you can buy a replacement freehub body. I'm not familiar with Hope hubs, but typically the manufacturer doesn't recommend that you disassemble them. It may be possible to give it a try if you find instructions and the right tools. Or the manufacturer may be willing to replace the freehub body under warranty. I'd pull the freehub off, soak it in solvent for a few days, air dry it, see if the pawls operate, and then oil lightly.

[lph]

The hope site does have a video showing to overhaul the entire hub, according to it I can just pull the freehub body right off...? I'll give it a try. I'm hoping I can do this even though I have spokes and all attached, I'm not keen on rebuilding the wheel. I'll need a "special tool" (just looks like a piece of tubing to me) to pop it back on, but at the moment the wheel is useless so I've nothing to lose.

Thank goodness it's ski season here ;)

[lph]

I did it! I'm queen of the universe! Woo-hoo! :D

Watched the Hope video about 3 times - with this cute British guy, he finishes by hefting the hub with a pleased grin and going "Now, that's a good 'ub" :p - couldn't pull the freehub off with a neat snap since I had an entire wheel attached but squiggled around with a screwdriver in the gap and suddenly it just was loose. The pawls and springs were a brown, corroded mess, but I pulled the springs out carefully and flushed with solvent. The pawls weren't going anywhere. Then some oil, wiggled around, cleaned a bit, finally some grease, reinstalled the springs and wiggled until they seemed to work as cleanly as they were going to. Watched the video another 3 times and was dismayed to see that I needed a special "seal tool" to get the freehub snapped back in place. Could find ONE store that had it - but out of stock right now. Searched some more, found s forum with at least two people who had just worked it on with their fingers. And it was a doddle - the "seal" is just a plastic ring that I carefully pushed on piecewise with a screwdriver. So much for the special Hope HTT175 Seal Tool ;)

And my wheel now has a new cassette and spins sweetly! Hah!

[DebW]

Most excellent work, Queen of the Universe!

[OakLeaf]

Yay! Such a satisfying feeling. :)

[Becky]

Good job! :D

[Christopher]

Cheers for the info on the videos on the Hope site, lph! I used it to see how you properly install a Hope headset, esp the Head Doctor (HD) thing. Tbh I can't see the advantage of the HD over a star nut except it is easier to install and it goes in straight. Once you get a star nut in it will stay there, one has stood up to Belgian cobbles, roughstuffing, and 1.5 CX seasons without any problems at all, while the bolt holding the HD together can loosen...

Oh and well done on the hub servicing. Satisfying isn't it?

[laura*]

Once you get a star nut in it will stay there, one has stood up to Belgian cobbles, roughstuffing, and 1.5 CX seasons without any problems at all

A star nut is there just for assembly. Once the stem is clamped onto the steerer, the star nut's job is done. (Except if it is used to mount a bike computer, compass, or other trinket.)