Lubricating Shimano Freehubs

* * Chas said:

Up until this year all of my bikes used freewheels.

Being a confirmed Retro Grouch I moved kicking and screaming into the
1980s and now have 3 bikes with Shimano freehubs plus some extra sets of
wheels.

Some of the hubs are used others are NOS and all probably need to be
repacked.

I have the correct tools and I'm familiar with the different varieties
of Shimano hubs and cassettes so that's not an issue. Four wheels have
1987 vintage Deore XT hubs, one has a D-A hub with a standard (non D-A)
8 speed freehub and the last has an early Ultregra hub.

I did a lot of web searches and saw a number of ways to lube the
freehubs. I can remove the freehubs if necessary but it looks like the
easiest way to lube the freehubs is to remove the rear axles and dust
seals, clean out the old axle grease and:

1. Get one of the commercial grease injectors and use it to lube the
freehubs, or...

2. Put some 40W motor oil in the RH bearing areas of the hubs and let it
run into the freehubs through the 2 lube access holes that are supposed
to be in there.

The oil method seems to be a lot easier way to lube the freehubs. Is
there an easy way to keep the oil from running out and making a mess in
the spokes.

Any better suggestions?

Thanks.

Chas.

DO NOT inject grease into the freehub, around the pawls. Only 2 and if
one sticks down you will break the other and that hurts. Only one way.
Take freehub off, remove little rubber seal on the back and oil the
bearings and pawls, replace seal, replace freehub body.

* * Chas said:

Up until this year all of my bikes used freewheels.

Being a confirmed Retro Grouch I moved kicking and screaming into the
1980s and now have 3 bikes with Shimano freehubs plus some extra sets of
wheels.

Some of the hubs are used others are NOS and all probably need to be
repacked.

I have the correct tools and I'm familiar with the different varieties
of Shimano hubs and cassettes so that's not an issue. Four wheels have
1987 vintage Deore XT hubs, one has a D-A hub with a standard (non D-A)
8 speed freehub and the last has an early Ultregra hub.

I did a lot of web searches and saw a number of ways to lube the
freehubs. I can remove the freehubs if necessary but it looks like the
easiest way to lube the freehubs is to remove the rear axles and dust
seals, clean out the old axle grease and:

1. Get one of the commercial grease injectors and use it to lube the
freehubs, or...

2. Put some 40W motor oil in the RH bearing areas of the hubs and let it
run into the freehubs through the 2 lube access holes that are supposed
to be in there.

The oil method seems to be a lot easier way to lube the freehubs. Is
there an easy way to keep the oil from running out and making a mess in
the spokes.

Any better suggestions?

Thanks.

Chas.

If the freehubs have a seal on the back of them that is the easiest way
to relube them. If I am correct I believe the 2 lube access holes you
are talking about are the notches for removing the bearing race from
the freehub. If you don't have a seal in the back the next best thing
is to remove the axle and RH dust cover. The older freehub bodies
should have plastic dust covers so they should be pretty easy to remove
without damaging. Then lube with a med. weight oil between the race and
splined body of the freehub. 40w motor oil should be fine. compressed
air can definitly help speed things up as it will help get the oil into
the freehub mechanism and is very useful for making sure you don't have
to much lube in there which will just make a mess. Good luck.

Steve Sauter

* * Chas said:

Up until this year all of my bikes used freewheels.

Being a confirmed Retro Grouch I moved kicking and screaming into the
1980s and now have 3 bikes with Shimano freehubs plus some extra sets of
wheels.

Some of the hubs are used others are NOS and all probably need to be
repacked.

I have the correct tools and I'm familiar with the different varieties
of Shimano hubs and cassettes so that's not an issue. Four wheels have
1987 vintage Deore XT hubs, one has a D-A hub with a standard (non D-A)
8 speed freehub and the last has an early Ultregra hub.

I did a lot of web searches and saw a number of ways to lube the
freehubs. I can remove the freehubs if necessary but it looks like the
easiest way to lube the freehubs is to remove the rear axles and dust
seals, clean out the old axle grease and:

1. Get one of the commercial grease injectors and use it to lube the
freehubs, or...

2. Put some 40W motor oil in the RH bearing areas of the hubs and let it
run into the freehubs through the 2 lube access holes that are supposed
to be in there.

The oil method seems to be a lot easier way to lube the freehubs. Is
there an easy way to keep the oil from running out and making a mess in
the spokes.

Any better suggestions?

Thanks.

Chas.

Don't know if its the right or wrong way to lube the Shimano freehub
bodies, but this is what I use. I use the 10mm Allen wrench to take it
off the hub shell. Put it in a small tupperware container. Pour 90W
gear oil over it so its completely submerged. Let it sit for a week or
two or three or four. Every now and then I turn the hub body to help
get the oil inside. Take out and let it sit for awhile for any oil to
drip off.

"Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

* * Chas said:

Up until this year all of my bikes used freewheels.

Being a confirmed Retro Grouch I moved kicking and screaming into

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

1980s and now have 3 bikes with Shimano freehubs plus some extra

sets of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

wheels.

Some of the hubs are used others are NOS and all probably need to be
repacked.

I have the correct tools and I'm familiar with the different

varieties

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

of Shimano hubs and cassettes so that's not an issue. Four wheels

have

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

1987 vintage Deore XT hubs, one has a D-A hub with a standard (non

D-A)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

8 speed freehub and the last has an early Ultregra hub.

I did a lot of web searches and saw a number of ways to lube the
freehubs. I can remove the freehubs if necessary but it looks like

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

easiest way to lube the freehubs is to remove the rear axles and

dust

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

seals, clean out the old axle grease and:

1. Get one of the commercial grease injectors and use it to lube the
freehubs, or...

2. Put some 40W motor oil in the RH bearing areas of the hubs and

let it

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

run into the freehubs through the 2 lube access holes that are

supposed

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to be in there.

The oil method seems to be a lot easier way to lube the freehubs. Is
there an easy way to keep the oil from running out and making a mess

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the spokes.

Any better suggestions?

Thanks.

Chas.

DO NOT inject grease into the freehub, around the pawls. Only 2 and if
one sticks down you will break the other and that hurts. Only one way.
Take freehub off, remove little rubber seal on the back and oil the
bearings and pawls, replace seal, replace freehub body.

I agree about the grease, just mentioning the 2 easy way
recommendations I'd frequently seen on my web searches.

I've had the joy of an old Regina freewheel lock up on me going down a
hill in the past.

I'm getting lazy in my old age. The joy of discovery from tearing
something apart just isn't there any more! ;-)

Thanks,

Chas.

Quoted message said:

Don't know if its the right or wrong way to lube the Shimano freehub
bodies, but this is what I use. I use the 10mm Allen wrench to take it
off the hub shell. Put it in a small tupperware container. Pour 90W
gear oil over it so its completely submerged. Let it sit for a week or
two or three or four. Every now and then I turn the hub body to help
get the oil inside. Take out and let it sit for awhile for any oil to
drip off.

I somewhat agree- it's very easy to remove the freehub body. One it's
off, there's an easy-to-remove rubber seal on the back of the body. Pry
that out and you'll be looking at the bearings. Pour in some oil (I use
Phil Tenacious), spin the body a few times to get the oil to flow
through and the excess out, and reassemble.

I've done this to several freehubs. They're all still fine- including
one that got rusty inside due to excessive cleaning, moisture, and
disuse. A couple washes with kerosene and then re-lubing returned it to
usefulness. I'm waiting for it to self-destruct, though, just so I can
look at the condition of the bearings and races.

Jeff

* * Chas said:

Up until this year all of my bikes used freewheels.

Being a confirmed Retro Grouch I moved kicking and screaming into the
1980s and now have 3 bikes with Shimano freehubs plus some extra sets of
wheels.

Some of the hubs are used others are NOS and all probably need to be
repacked.

I have the correct tools and I'm familiar with the different varieties
of Shimano hubs and cassettes so that's not an issue. Four wheels have
1987 vintage Deore XT hubs, one has a D-A hub with a standard (non D-A)
8 speed freehub and the last has an early Ultregra hub.

I did a lot of web searches and saw a number of ways to lube the
freehubs. I can remove the freehubs if necessary but it looks like the
easiest way to lube the freehubs is to remove the rear axles and dust
seals, clean out the old axle grease and:

1. Get one of the commercial grease injectors and use it to lube the
freehubs, or...

2. Put some 40W motor oil in the RH bearing areas of the hubs and let it
run into the freehubs through the 2 lube access holes that are supposed
to be in there.

The oil method seems to be a lot easier way to lube the freehubs. Is
there an easy way to keep the oil from running out and making a mess in
the spokes.

Any better suggestions?

How about: don't bother messing with it unless you've been riding for
months and months in slop, or it's sounding suspicious. If you do
manage to kill one, they're easy to replace. Save this chore for when
you get cabin fever in February.

I also vote for 10W40 if you do insist on putting something in there.
You can also flush it with a newsgroup classic: motor oil diluted with
mineral spirits. You'll want to give it a day to dry out after this,
and don't do it in your kitchen, as it's stinky.

"landotter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

* * Chas said:

Up until this year all of my bikes used freewheels.

Being a confirmed Retro Grouch I moved kicking and screaming into

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

1980s and now have 3 bikes with Shimano freehubs plus some extra

sets of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

wheels.

Some of the hubs are used others are NOS and all probably need to be
repacked.

I have the correct tools and I'm familiar with the different

varieties

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

of Shimano hubs and cassettes so that's not an issue. Four wheels

have

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

1987 vintage Deore XT hubs, one has a D-A hub with a standard (non

D-A)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

8 speed freehub and the last has an early Ultregra hub.

I did a lot of web searches and saw a number of ways to lube the
freehubs. I can remove the freehubs if necessary but it looks like

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

easiest way to lube the freehubs is to remove the rear axles and

dust

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

seals, clean out the old axle grease and:

1. Get one of the commercial grease injectors and use it to lube the
freehubs, or...

2. Put some 40W motor oil in the RH bearing areas of the hubs and

let it

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

run into the freehubs through the 2 lube access holes that are

supposed

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to be in there.

The oil method seems to be a lot easier way to lube the freehubs. Is
there an easy way to keep the oil from running out and making a mess

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the spokes.

Any better suggestions?

How about: don't bother messing with it unless you've been riding for
months and months in slop, or it's sounding suspicious. If you do
manage to kill one, they're easy to replace. Save this chore for when
you get cabin fever in February.

Thanks, I like your solution. I'm just planning ahead for something to
do after I finish rearranging my sock drawer. ;-)

I have to repack several of my front hubs. They run smooth but I can
hear the ball bearings rolling around freely telling me the grease has
dried out.

Chas.

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

* * Chas said:

I did a lot of web searches and saw a number of ways to lube the
freehubs. I can remove the freehubs if necessary but it looks like the
easiest way to lube the freehubs is to remove the rear axles and dust
seals, clean out the old axle grease and:

DO NOT inject grease into the freehub, around the pawls. Only 2 and if
one sticks down you will break the other and that hurts. Only one way.
Take freehub off, remove little rubber seal on the back and oil the
bearings and pawls, replace seal, replace freehub body.

In keeping with the previous thread, how often does the freehub need
to be lubed?

Pat

Email address works as is.

* * Chas said:

"landotter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

* * Chas said:

Up until this year all of my bikes used freewheels.

Being a confirmed Retro Grouch I moved kicking and screaming into

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

1980s and now have 3 bikes with Shimano freehubs plus some extra

sets of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

wheels.

Some of the hubs are used others are NOS and all probably need to be
repacked.

I have the correct tools and I'm familiar with the different

varieties

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

of Shimano hubs and cassettes so that's not an issue. Four wheels

have

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

1987 vintage Deore XT hubs, one has a D-A hub with a standard (non

D-A)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

8 speed freehub and the last has an early Ultregra hub.

I did a lot of web searches and saw a number of ways to lube the
freehubs. I can remove the freehubs if necessary but it looks like

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

easiest way to lube the freehubs is to remove the rear axles and

dust

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

seals, clean out the old axle grease and:

1. Get one of the commercial grease injectors and use it to lube the
freehubs, or...

2. Put some 40W motor oil in the RH bearing areas of the hubs and

let it

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

run into the freehubs through the 2 lube access holes that are

supposed

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to be in there.

The oil method seems to be a lot easier way to lube the freehubs. Is
there an easy way to keep the oil from running out and making a mess

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the spokes.

Any better suggestions?

How about: don't bother messing with it unless you've been riding for
months and months in slop, or it's sounding suspicious. If you do
manage to kill one, they're easy to replace. Save this chore for when
you get cabin fever in February.

Thanks, I like your solution. I'm just planning ahead for something to
do after I finish rearranging my sock drawer. ;-)

I have to repack several of my front hubs. They run smooth but I can
hear the ball bearings rolling around freely telling me the grease has
dried out.

Remove skewer
Pry off dust cover
cut corner off of single serving of auto store grease bag, like a mini
pastry bag hole should be tiny, like 2mm
Filler up
bang the seals in and ride

Assuming of course, that the cones are already adjusted properly.

"landotter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have to repack several of my front hubs. They run smooth but I can
hear the ball bearings rolling around freely telling me the grease

has

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

dried out.

Remove skewer
Pry off dust cover
cut corner off of single serving of auto store grease bag, like a mini
pastry bag hole should be tiny, like 2mm
Filler up
bang the seals in and ride

Assuming of course, that the cones are already adjusted properly.

Thanks, I like it!

Chas.

landotter said:

* * Chas said:

"landotter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

* * Chas wrote:
> Up until this year all of my bikes used freewheels.
>
> Being a confirmed Retro Grouch I moved kicking and screaming into

the

Quoted message said:

> 1980s and now have 3 bikes with Shimano freehubs plus some extra

sets of

Quoted message said:

> wheels.
>
> Some of the hubs are used others are NOS and all probably need to be
> repacked.
>
> I have the correct tools and I'm familiar with the different

varieties

Quoted message said:

> of Shimano hubs and cassettes so that's not an issue. Four wheels

have

Quoted message said:

> 1987 vintage Deore XT hubs, one has a D-A hub with a standard (non

D-A)

Quoted message said:

> 8 speed freehub and the last has an early Ultregra hub.
>
> I did a lot of web searches and saw a number of ways to lube the
> freehubs. I can remove the freehubs if necessary but it looks like

the

Quoted message said:

> easiest way to lube the freehubs is to remove the rear axles and

dust

Quoted message said:

> seals, clean out the old axle grease and:
>
> 1. Get one of the commercial grease injectors and use it to lube the
> freehubs, or...
>
> 2. Put some 40W motor oil in the RH bearing areas of the hubs and

let it

Quoted message said:

> run into the freehubs through the 2 lube access holes that are

supposed

Quoted message said:

> to be in there.
>
> The oil method seems to be a lot easier way to lube the freehubs. Is
> there an easy way to keep the oil from running out and making a mess

in

Quoted message said:

> the spokes.
>
> Any better suggestions?
How about: don't bother messing with it unless you've been riding for
months and months in slop, or it's sounding suspicious. If you do
manage to kill one, they're easy to replace. Save this chore for when
you get cabin fever in February.

Thanks, I like your solution. I'm just planning ahead for something to
do after I finish rearranging my sock drawer. ;-)

I have to repack several of my front hubs. They run smooth but I can
hear the ball bearings rolling around freely telling me the grease has
dried out.

Remove skewer
Pry off dust cover
cut corner off of single serving of auto store grease bag, like a mini
pastry bag hole should be tiny, like 2mm
Filler up
bang the seals in and ride

Assuming of course, that the cones are already adjusted properly.

Another way is to use a needle fitting on a grease gun. That's a handy
thing to have anyway, since you can shoot grease into sealed suspension
components (car) by poking the needle through the rubber. I quieted down
some noisy tie rod ends that way -- saved big bucks.