Easton Freehub problem

HonestAl
HonestAl Posts: 406
edited August 2010 in Workshop
I've got a pair of EA 90SLXs which have been great up till now. Just today the freewheel on them seems to have developed a problem. Essentially when the wheel is freewheeling there seems to be more resistance in the freewheel than before. If I put the bike on a stand and turn the pedals by hand, get the wheel up to speed and stop then release the pedals, the cranks continue to turn with more force than is reasonable (enough to make the chain go slack between the cassette and the chainset if I actually stop the pedals turning).

I've dismantled the hub as per the excellent instructions on the Easton site
http://www.eastonbike.com/TECHNICAL/ROA ... R-a-d.html

There's nothing obviously amiss, (the little ratchet fellas seem to happily move out of the way with little or no resistance, there's no obvious wear anywhere) There did seem to be a huge amount of grease inside the mechanism which I've wiped out but will replace with an amount clean PTFE grease, but even after stripping and cleaning there still seems to be more friction in the freewheel than I'd expect.

For comparison I've put a fulcrum wheel on the bike, and it freewheels exactly as I'd imagine it would, spin it up to speed, stop the crank and let go and it just sits there.

Come on then chaps, what's suddenly happened?
"The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon

Comments

  • Mike67
    Mike67 Posts: 585
    Could be that one or both of your sealed bearings actually in the freehub body are on their way out/given up.

    Have you tried turning the freehub by hand with the chain off to see if it resists significantly.
    Mike B

    Cannondale CAAD9
    Kinesis Pro 5 cross bike
    Lots of bits
  • HonestAl
    HonestAl Posts: 406
    I wondered that myself. I've had the whole thing apart. The bearings feel fine (if I remove the hub from the wheel I can roll the wheel on the bearings ( which stay in the wheel) by putting my fingers through as if they were the axle and it rolls very smoothly - it's only when I assemble the hub you can feel the resistance.
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon
  • Mike67
    Mike67 Posts: 585
    These are the two bearings inside the freehub body yes?

    There are four in total...two in the wheel (supporting the hub) and two the the freewheel body.

    Apologies if that is what you meant anyway :D
    Mike B

    Cannondale CAAD9
    Kinesis Pro 5 cross bike
    Lots of bits
  • HonestAl
    HonestAl Posts: 406
    ah, got it. Thanks, and definitely no apology needed

    I was referring to the bearings inside the wheel body. Another snaguette is that I can't seem to undo the endcap at the freehub end. The other end cap came undone first which unfortunately stops me undoing the freehub - so I can't get at those bearings! Any idea how to overcome that problem?
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon
  • Mike67
    Mike67 Posts: 585
    A long 6mm hex key should fit into the non-cassette end once the end cap is off.
    This fits into the axle itself so should give enough purchase to remove the end cap at the cassette end. Probably best to do all that with the axle in the wheel.

    Another, more fiddly, way would be to leave the cassette on the hub (with the cassette lockring removed) and use a chainwhip to stop the freehub moving whilst you use the 5mm hex key to remove the end cap.

    Good luck.
    Mike B

    Cannondale CAAD9
    Kinesis Pro 5 cross bike
    Lots of bits
  • HonestAl
    HonestAl Posts: 406
    Thank Mike, funnily enough I was just coming back to say "I've spotted that a 6mm allen key will...." (on the exploded diagram of the hub from the Easton site) which it has, so I've got the cassette off now.
    put my fingers through the cassette and the bearings feel very smooth and loose. But still concerned the freewheel isn't "free" enough.

    Is the cassette body grease anything special? I've used some PTFE grease, but I'm wondering if it's too viscous.

    Any other ideas?
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon
  • Mike67
    Mike67 Posts: 585
    I used PTFE grease in mine when I serviced it earlier this week. I have been for a ride since and didn't notice any issues with freehub friction.

    Must admit I've not had it on a stand to see if the pedals turn after releasing them with the wheel turning.

    The only things that I can think of that would cause friction sufficient to give chain slack are:

    Grotty freehub/wheelhub interface...which you've cleaned out
    Too much grease...which you don't have
    Sticky freehub bearings...again no (they may react differently when under load though)

    The only other thing I can think of is the little (red on my wheel) seal between the freehub and the wheel hub in good nick/greased or is it dragging the freehub round.
    Mike B

    Cannondale CAAD9
    Kinesis Pro 5 cross bike
    Lots of bits
  • HonestAl
    HonestAl Posts: 406
    good set of possibles, and I think as you've said I've covered them. So here's the latest. Everything cleaned again. This time I've used some finish line ceramic wet lube when putting things back together. I've half convinced myself that it's looser - wonder if getting the freehub off and back on again has helped.

    As it happens I've got an identical freehub (in fact another identical set of wheels but on my sons bike which I'm reluctant to bugg*r up) spare - once I'd got this freehub off I couldn't feel any difference between the two (but as you say, under load things might be different)

    Anyhoo, it feels looser, but I reckon I've had it for tonight - tomorrow bright and early it goes back on the bike and see if things are better.

    thanks for the help Mike
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon
  • HonestAl
    HonestAl Posts: 406
    OK, in case anyone other than Mike is following this, I eventually sorted things by progressively releasing the adjuster on the non drive side of the hub. I suspect that was the problem all along, though how it became too tight is beyond me. Ah well, we live and learn.
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon
  • Mike67
    Mike67 Posts: 585
    Well done.

    Can't say I've come across the adjusters getting too tight before.

    Loosening themselves....yes, but that's another kettle of fish. (I posted about this, I think it's still on page 1 of this forum)

    Guess now you can go out and ride them at last, lovely day for it round here :D
    Mike B

    Cannondale CAAD9
    Kinesis Pro 5 cross bike
    Lots of bits
  • HonestAl
    HonestAl Posts: 406
    I can't see it either. Perhaps somehow the other side of the hub got tightened, which would have the effect of pulling it more firmly. Intense straw clutching, and even if true, how did it get tighter. As you say, loose - yep.

    I've also dropped Easton a note about the modified adjuster. Thanks for the heads up.

    anyhoo, been out for a quick dash this morning just to convince myself all's well (which it seems to be) Off to the New Forest in the morning for this Wiggle sportive - hope the weather holds up :)
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon
  • simon johnson
    simon johnson Posts: 1,064
    Sorry to drag this up....If anybody can help; I've got the freehub loose and almost off but I can't seem to be able to remove it completely, any ideas on how to do this and where I've gone wrong? Also, do I just push it back in? It doesn't seem too willing to get back in there now it's off.

    Simon.
    Where\'s me jumper?