So ive just bought a set of Shimano Ultegra R8170 C60 wheels, they are 2nd hand but only done 200km according to the seller
Straight away i noticed there is play in the freehub only, the axle, bearings etc... are all spot on, it does this with no cassette fitted, obviously it looks/feels worse with a cassette fitted, it is not a cassette fitment issue (i know about the cassette adhesive ring issue, its not that) its the freehub body itself thats the issue
Google says this is a known issue with the Ultegra R8170 rear freehub but what it doesnt tell me if there is a fix for it
Has anyone else had this and if so did you find a fix?
Not sure if the play is caused by an issue with the freehub body itself (if it is then i can just replace it) or if the reason for the wobble has something to do with the hub shell etc.. (which i cant fix)
Have emailed the seller pointing out the issue and awaiting a reply, returning them for a refund is a pain due to work and i like the wheels and got a good deal on them so id rather keep them and fix the issue if that's possible and ask the seller to go half's on the cost of the fix
Which way does it wobble? Laterally in line with the axle might just be the end cap not seating properly. if you torque it up in a frame with no cassette on does it still move?
Wobble is up and down, no end caps as Shimano is cup and cone, axle is set up spot on with no play, the freehub is the issue, still same amount of wobble when the wheel is mounted in the frame
As said its a known issue but i no one mentions what the fix is, may just order a new freehub and see if that fixes the issue
if it’s the same freehub as on my mates GRX carbon wheels, then the answer seems to be new freehub body and keep the receipt for when it fails again. He had 3 rear wheels warrantied until he cracked and got his cash back.
Quick google and it seems the GRX wheels use the same freehub and hence have the same issue
https://www.lavelocita.cc/la-velocita-reviews/shimano-grx-rx570-wheelset-review
So replacing the freehub fixes the issue? and then when it develops a wobble again if within the freehub's waranty period simply ask the shop the freehub was purcashed from to replace?
If so i may just replace it then as its only £35 for the freehub rather than returning the wheels and ill see if the seller will pay towards it
So I’ve an update on this which may be handy for anyone in the future
Ultegra wheels have been returned for a refund
Decided to buy some brand new Dura Ace wheels instead as they use a different free hub design and shouldn’t suffer the free hub wobble that the Ultegra’s have
Dura Ace wheels arrived, took them out the box and checked the free hub and you can pull and push it 1-2mm away from the hub shell!
Contacted the shop I purchased them from and they asked for a video, so I sent them one and they said that amount of play is acceptable!
I explained once the cassette is fitted it’s much worse and could affect shifting
They are now being sent back for a refund
I won’t be buying any Shimano wheels again!
I’ve got two pairs of the Ultegra wheels, C50 and C30. The C50 had play and the C30 didn’t. I put a new free hub on the C50 and now it doesn’t have play.
I think the manufacturing tolerances, unusually for Shimano, are just a little lax.
They are my favourite wheels though even if not the lightest. Nice and quiet, with fully serviceable cup and cone bearings. And having both pairs the same, means no dicking with brake calipers when I swap the wheels.
I’ve got two pairs of the Ultegra wheels, C50 and C30. The C50 had play and the C30 didn’t. I put a new free hub on the C50 and now it doesn’t have play.
I think the manufacturing tolerances, unusually for Shimano, are just a little lax.
They are my favourite wheels though even if not the lightest. Nice and quiet, with fully serviceable cup and cone bearings. And having both pairs the same, means no dicking with brake calipers when I swap the wheels.