CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Removing Freehub and cartridge bearings in rear wheel...

(10 posts)
  • Started 10 years ago by TractorFactory
  • Latest reply from Cyclops
  • This topic is not resolved

  1. TractorFactory
    Member

    I was wondering if anyone here could provide any pointers. I thought I'd gotten pretty up to speed on overhauling my wheels that were cup and bearing types but had to replace my rear wheel a couple of months ago. I don't need to do this just now but the any information may come in useful in future.

    I was doing and wee mid winter gunk extraction so I took my wheel apart as far as possible. The new one is a Giant 700c 29er wheel on my commuter which has cartridge bearings. I worked out how to reveal these bearings, but in the event of replacement, I've no idea how to extract them.

    Additionally, on my old wheel, the free hub was screwed on using a large hex adaptor that fitted down the centre of the freehub. Simply a case of unscrewwing and replacing. This new one doesn't have any obvious through the middle unscrewing method.

    Anybody come across these and can point me in the right direction? Know of any specific tools I might need for it?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I've no idea how to extract them.

    It may be the case that you're not able to. I've had hubs before designed in such a way they have to be binned if the bearings get shot.

    I may be being silly but I thought free-hubs were integral to the hub structure and couldn't be removed from the hub?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. EddieD
    Member

    I can get my Shimano units off with a 10 (or 12??)mm Allen key*. I couldn't get the hub off my 'bent and replaced the wheel instead.

    *And a fair amount of swearing. And a bit of pipe on the key.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. chdot
    Admin

    This came with quick google search -

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/workshop-how-to-overhaul-your-freehub-23757

    Don't know how to remove ones that a 10mm Allen key won't fit - though that article's tools list mentions 12mm so perhaps that's the answer?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. DaveC
    Member

    My rear on the cotic hass cartridge hubs. I just took it along to a local bike mech who did it for me for a little over the cost of the cartridges, which he ordered for me. I can pass you his details if you like, he's in Aberdour. Cheep as chips. Also he has said to me in the past, if I would like to watch him do the work I could then do it myself in future.

    Dave C

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. Coxy
    Member

    With my old Hope hubs, you could remove the freehub body by just prising off the top cap. It was held in place with a rubber O ring. Then the freehub body just slid off - with springs and pawls flying off in all directions, naturally!

    Most cartridge bearings come out with the use of a hammer and the correct sized drift. But I'd only try it with my own hubs!

    Is there a make/model number on the hub? Or something on the Giant website regarding the model of bike you have? Hopefully there's some manual/guidance out there?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. allebong
    Member

    Most cartridge bearings come out with the use of a hammer

    Crude as it sounds, this is usually the case. If you can see the bearings use (ideally) a rubber mallet or hammer and block of wood and tap the axle sideways. The bearing on the other side should edge out, once it's free slide it off the axle, then tap the axle the other way.

    There's a service guide here that might be of use but it depends exactly how you're hub is built. I'd be extremely surprised if the freehub wasn't removable, I know some cheap Shimano clones aren't, but anything with cartridge bearings should be serviceable. Once the axle is out have a good look down the central hole. They tend to have lots of little flats for a hex key so it may look smooth at first glance but a key will engage. I've seen 10, 11 and 12mm sizes used and it will be very very tight - have a seatpost or something handy for extra leverage on the key.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    "have a seatpost or something handy for extra leverage on the key."

    I have usually managed with a foot on the Allen key.

    But I do have a bench vice in reserve.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. Coxy
    Member

    What's the bike model, and are the wheels original?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. Cyclops
    Member

    You can need anything from a 10-15mm hex key to remove freehubs depending on the make/model. On some hubs the bolt to hold on the freehub is located on the left (non-drive) side so have a look in that side as well.

    Posted 10 years ago #

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