How do you repack a rear hub?

Question

I am having difficulty figuring out how to do it, as the freewheel is in the way.

Answer 1

Are you absolutely sure it's a free _wheel_ and not a free _hub_? The difference is rather significant.  the reason I ask is that freewheels are getting increasingly rare these days.

A freewheel will unscrew from the hub and give easy access to the bearings, but a freehub will require that you remove the cassette and then the freehub body from the axle assembly.

The Sheldon Brown website noted previously will give reasonable directions for both. Good luck!

Answer 2

Assuming this is not the Dynohub you where asking about earlier but a more modern one, you will find life a lot easier with the freewheel off, if you don,t want to buy the tool, less than a fiver, ask your local bike shop to remove it for you, c£1.

at the same time you can buy some white lithium grease and the appropriate bearings, these are probably 1/4" by 7 caged, loose bearings are rarely used these days.

Undo the locknut and cone ( may need a cone spanner here, another special tool) on the non drive side and take out the axle and bearings, clean it all up and check the condition of the bearing surfaces on the cones and cups, the cones can be replaced with new if worn but if the inner cups are worn or cracked then the hub is scrap and you will need a new hub to build into the rim or a new wheel.

If the bearing surfaces are ok, then pack the bearings with grease and reassemble, making sure that the cages are in the right way round, ie, the open side of the cage to the cone.

You should not have disturbed the locknut, cone and spacer on the drive side but make sure they are tight, very important!!

and adjust from the non drive side until the bearings and axle are running smoothly without play, replace your freewheel, job done.

Answer 3

You'll need a freewheel remover to get that out of the way. Couple of ££ for one of those and an appropriately sized spanner will do it.

Answer 4

Ah, the freewheel is in the way, eh? Well, you really should remove the freewheel first then it is the same as rebuilding a front hub.

If you can't remove the freewheel, take the locknut and cone off the non-drive side, pull the axle out and collect all the bearings. Most rear hubs have loose bearings. If the axle won't go past the freewheel (frequent problem) then you'll have no choice other than to get a freewheel remover.

Using a good "non-solvent" degreaser (like WD40) spray cups in the hub and wipe out with a cloth. You may have to use a screwdriver to get past the freewheel. Also, clean (and/or replace) the bearings, cones and axle.

Using a bit of finesse, place some white lithium grease on the end of a screwdriver and place it in the drive side cup. You can use your finger for the non-drive side. Divide the bearings in 2 (there should be an even number!) and place 1/2 of them in each side. Insert the axle through the drive side and reassemble.