okay so here is short version of long story. The wifes bike has sat for about 3 years and not moved. I'm just in the process of getting it rolling again. But as per title the freehub isn't feeling the best. Doesn't have a positive feel to the engagement and if you back pedal you can generate some slackness in the chain.
So I wanted to take it off and clean out the pawls and stick some light chain lube back in there. But I can't seem to figure out how to remove the freehub. the last 3 bikes Ive have I could just pull the freehub off my hand, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I've been on youtube and there seems to be a number of ways using cone spanners. But I can't pin point which method I should be using.
the bike is question is a 2011 giant trance and the internet tells me the hub is a 'Formula QR hubs' anyone know the answer? or what I should be looking for. thanks
10mm hex key probably.
If it's cup and cone bearings you'll have to take them out first. Usually you'll then have to clamp a 10mm Allen key in a vice and use the wheel to undo the freehub.
doing a bit more searching and I think it might be cup and cone.
so I take it,
cassette off
QR axle out
and 10mm allen in the drive side?
After taking out the Qr Youll have to actually remove the axle and bearings to get into the freehub
10mm allen key is OK for shimano, formula I think use a 12mm.
However, if it's a cheap ish giant hub, it'll be a sealed unit so you won't be able to get in. You'll need to replace it if it can't be flushed through with GT85/spray lube.
something like this: [url= http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/Giant-FH04-Freehub.html?gclid=COPf-ujN5NACFcWd7QodUSYL-A ]freehub[/url] may work, but you'd need to check the model frits.
yes wookie, you may have answered my next question. I've just popped down and took the cassette off, axle has been removed using the cone spanners and bearing are all sat in a shot glass lol. but ye a 10mm was just banging around in there. 12mm might do the job.
also agree wookie, I did think cleaning it might not work out, but its worth a try and I need to figure out to take it off to fit a new one anyway.
i'll try a 12mm later (if I've got one! for some reason I think 10mm might be the biggest in the set I use) on this evening, got to go out now. fingers crossed
Any free hub like that I've ever removed has been 11mm (7/16")hex
Sometimes the new freehub comes with a hex bit
was thinking 11mm like the joytech ones, but reading about i think the formula's are 12mm, especially if a 10mm is rattling about.
suppose you can try the side by side method (two 6mm side by side works, not well, but it works), though they do tend to be on rather tight.
Formula are often 11. Some might be 12.
11 is a pain as doesn't come in a normal hex set.
Stuff here. The diagram in there is exactly the hub I have from an old bike. 11mm was the key to it and then all fine. That's a cartridge bearing version, although end caps make it look like cup & cone plus they do seem to adjust load.
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/formula-dc38-11mm-or-12mm-allen-key-to-remove-freehub
Any free hub like that I've ever removed has been 11mm (7/16")hex
Shimano use 10mm and as above Joytech and Formula use 11 and 12mm
To the OP
Get yourself to a bike shop, preferably a Giant dealer.
Any mechanic who knows his stuff should have a couple of Formula/Joytech freehubs* in stock. They might not be the right ones but Giant will be able to supply the correct one if you give them the frame number
I've got some in stock here. Half a chance I've got the right one too. 🙂
*theres loads of different ones, even those that look outwardly similar might not fit.
k thanks. i'll see if the clean up sorts it, then i'll pop down bike shop with it for a replacement. thanks
so the shop I popped to didn't have a 12mm, So I ordered a cheap one off ebay. which turned up today but it doesn't fit lol. So guessing it must be 11mm.
I have a KooKa hub and a Bontrager hub which both take the same freehub which uses an 11mm allen key. A Trek dealer may have spares.
Swinnertons in Stoke provided me with the last one.
The square end of a 3/8" drive socket extension can sometimes be used instead of the 11mm allen key [i]in extremis[/i]