Freehub help

[borisface]

Hi, I have just been swapping over the cassette on one of my bikes and have managed to cross the thread which holds the lockring in place. What are my options? Am I right in thinking that they are:-

1. Locate replacement freehub (easier said than done as hubs are branded charge and came with my charge filter, I have emailed charge to see if they can supply or know where I can get a new freehub)

2. Have wheel rebuilt using new hub, old spokes and rim

3. Get a new wheel

The hub bearings have plenty of life as they've done about 1000 miles only.

Cheers

Chris

[531colin]

Why not just unscrew the lockring and re-insert it straight?
Spare lockrings are available just for the asking in a place like this, if the thread is damaged.

[borisface]

Thanks I'll try that, I have a spare somewhere. But I think the issue is with the thread on the freehub rather than the lockring i.e. the thread into which the lockring screws.

[cycleruk]

Generally freehubs are quite hard steel (some are alloy I know.)
Remove the lockring and, using a sharp hard pointed tool, chase/scrape out the thread in the freehub.
Follow the thread round inside to outside with the point and clean out the thread.
A ground down file point or other should do the job. It's important to re-instate the thread where it starts on the edge of the freehub.
You may be able to use the lockring again as long as the thread is good.

[531colin]

If you get it to bits and the hub body thread is "dinged" an acceptable tool to clean up the thread can be made by putting some hacksaw cuts at 90 deg (or so) to the thread on a spare lockring......screw it in a bit, back off, screw it in a bit more, etc. ....remove and clean, proceed, etc...
(these are home-made "chasing" taps....good enough for cleaning up a damaged thread, not for cutting a thread in a new hole!

[Brucey]

bolting stable door this I know, but you can easily tell if a lockring is going in straight or is cross-threaded; just start the lockring in a turn or two by hand, then spin the wheel/freewheel. If the lockring runs true then its all good; if it runs out then the threads are crossed.

I would expect to be able to repair an aluminium freehub body with a crossed thread BTW, but not a stripped one.

Worth noting that lockrings can vary from one type of hub to another, so be sure that the thread specification and thread length are going to work OK.

cheers

[borisface]

Thanks for all your replies, I have managed to chase (or is it trace) the thread round with a pointy thing and have remounted a spare lockring. All seems fine now.

[cycleruk]

Well done sir.

It's "chase" or "chasing" which basically means forming or cleaning up a existing thread.