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freehub knackered after 6 weeks use and the cones keep coming loose.
LBS say i can use an XT freehub, crc say i have to use the equivalent deore one. M525 hub. would like a definative answer!!
also, cones, why on earth do mine KEEP coming loose? they'll be fine for a couple of rides, then all of a sudden, in the space of about 5 mins riding, will be as loose as a loose thing. trailside tightening is annoying. have been adjusting cones for years and know how to do it, and how tight to do it, but they just keep coming loose.
yes, i know you get what you pay for, but they were an emergency purchase 3 days before a big bike holiday when my nukeproof rear hub packed in. am currently unemployed and cannot afford a new hub and wheel build.
Is your axle snapped?
Look up the MTBR reviews, a few people detail the proper technique. I seem to remember it involves nipping one side up really tight against the locknut, and only adjusting the cones from one side.
deore hubs are just a bit poor in my opinion... I snapped the axle on the front within one week and destroyed the rear within 2 weeks. just cut your losses and buy a new wheelset. Just my opinion...
Look up the MTBR reviews, a few people detail the proper technique. I seem to remember it involves nipping one side up really tight against the locknut, and only adjusting the cones from one side.
+1, also look up the Shimano tech docs to make sure you have all the parts and they are on in the correct order. I had a new XT hub that was missing a critical washer and caused a few cone problems.
Never had the cone loosening problem. Tried cleaning all the threads?
You may not find a definitive answer as it's an unusual repair. I'd have though that the worst issue would be one of spacing. As I said, lx freehubs are on on-one for £15 (or they were), I think they are as well sealed as xt. I'd try that - you've then got all the sealing gubbins for the freehub which will be different to your deore.
+2. One side needs locked up tight, so the other sides' cones can be used for [b]all[/b] the adjustment. One thing to watch is that if you've ridden on the loose hub for any distance, some parts (cones or ball races) may have been distorted and won't adjust no matter what you do.
I suggest you have a look at the Park Tools website for proper cone adjusting technique - feel free to ignore that if you're happy with your spannering skills!. You'll see that they recommend using a zip tie to keep cones and spacers in the correct order as you dissasemble the hub. It's very easy to flip washers out of sequence and to get the serrated washer (that bites against the drop out) the wrong way round. If you do manage this, the wheel won't tighten into the frame. Also final adjustments to play must be made with the wheel clamped, otherwise the bearing will be too tight, or too loose. I would aslo suggest that you have to use cone spanners as these are the only way to get the right feel for removing play. To be honest it is a bit tircky, but a skill that once you learn, you don't forget - persevere, you know you want to! (probably)
IMO there's nothing much wrong with Deore hubs, yeh, they're cheap, but adjusted and greased they are as a good as poorly adjusted 'better' hubs. Of course your experience is just why factory wheels have done so well.
Here's the [url= http://steveukmtb.wordpress.com/shimano-hub-overhaul-cup-and-cone/ ]photo guide[/url] I put together (also found on MTBR reviews). As you'll see, it makes sense to fully tighten one side then do adjustments from the other.
thanks guys.
currently only adjusting the cones from the nondrive side, not checked the axle, but 5 of the weeks were out in the alps... hmm.
cynic-al - may well look at the LX ones, can you confirm that the freehub will fit though (contuary to what crc tell me?)
will check the guides to make sure i'm doing it right...
cynic-al - may well look at the LX ones, can you confirm that the freehub will fit though
I don't know - like I said WCS is spacing issues AFAIK, so you might have a wee gap, or need to use a washer.
I had a similar problem with my Deore rear hub, after a while I just couldn't get it to stay tight and it would need re-doing after every ride. I took it as an opportunity to get some new wheels.
low strength locktite (222) might be worth looking at or just nick your partners nail polish (cheap lock-tite substitute) to stop the nuts coming loose.
can't afford new wheel 🙁
may look into the loctite idea - unfortunately i'm not just unemployed, but single too 😥
I've fitted an LX free hub to Deore before Tom. And like I say, an older XT one will too I reckon (760, not 770).
As for the cones loosening, you're not doing it quite right I suspect (it does take practice). One side does need to be really tight and the other takes a bit of patience- you need to have both the bits really tight against each other on each side to stop it loosening.
While you're playing, stick a load of grease in each side. If I were around I'd show you what to do.
i'll crack on with the XT then.
maybe i am doing it wrong. i've had LX hubs last 7 years, and XTs 4 before, with cone adjustment etc with it never being a problem though 🙁
and yeah, i think they are needing grease, they already feel rough 🙁