How To Fix A Sticky Freewheel
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- čas přidán 1. 08. 2024
- I show how to clean and lube a sticky freewheel that is gummed up with old grease. The problem was the wheel would stop spinning quickly. It's a minor issue, but might as well fix it. It would only get worse.
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5 years passed but this video is still saving days for people like today for me :) thanks
Lol! Great instructive tutorial on da freewheel stickies!!
6 years have passed and you still save beginners like me thank you!!
Fantastic video and a real service for the vintage cycling community! A couple of additional suggestions:
1. Isopropyl alcohol 91% is a good cleaner and solvent of old grease. It also drains more easily than WD40. Even better is spray brake cleaner.
2. When reinstalling the freewheel, grease the hub threads so you can get it off in the future.
3. If you don't have a remover tool but it needs oil, place the bike on its left (non-derailleur) side and dribble Phil Wood Oil into the tiny gap between the outer shell and the body on the right side. It takes forever but you can get oil into the body that way.
Nice vid!! In automotives, when we use "gear oil" (thick, sticky oil for gears), we heat the container in a bucket or sink of hot water. Even the sun and a warm place against a reflective surface works great.
Then the lube will be runnier for pouring, installation, flowing thru a tube etc.
Stay gold.
Gear oil smells awful though! :-(
Just had this problem on a Shimano 12 speed Di2. I took it all apart, cleaned it up, and it’s running great. Thanks.
7 Years have passed but JEEZ you're still helping us alot!
Thanks RJ, followed your video and fixed my sticky freewheel. Just what I needed.
A real nice and clear explanation and fix of a possible or just maintenance of your freewheel. Great job!
It is so great to get info and knowledge about freewheels, still so many bikes around with 7 speed freewheels!.
If you go to a modern shop today to consult something about a freewheel, often they will hardly know what to advice. Maybe the mechanic yes (but this one usually they keep him/her in the basement with no contact with customers), but definitely not the normal attendants, unless it is a very good shop.
My new bicycle too had this problem and after watching your video, I am confirmed that problem is caused by the freewheel. Thanks!
Thanks a lot! You're a life saver. I was having to walk everywhere for a week.
Thanks for posting your videos. They're very helpful. Keep 'em coming
Thanks. Had the trouble and followed your instructions. Fixed - freewheels spins nicely.
Always so helpful thank you.
Thank you very much for the great video with explanation, thanks to the master who was explaining on the video
This man is a genius with bikes. Thank you very much
8 yrs ive watched freewheel and cassette definitely grtting phils oil u are a awesome teacher. And your knowledge is awesome thank u for the videos u do.
)
Garik Oganesyan, I used mineral spirits in a similar video when fixing a sticky freehub. The freehub was smaller and would fit into a jar. I would have needed a small tub for the freewheel. So WD-40 seemed a better choice.
Much appreciated and exactly what I needed.
nice video, thnx for that, will make my bike maintenance much more easier!
Man you have no idea how helpful this video was to me. I didn't know you could get lube into the sprocket like that. Mind you I used a mix of normal bike grease and WD40 to get the grease in. I had regreased the front and rear hub bearing and even my top bracket bearings. The "grease" they put in brand new bikes is an absolute travesty. It is honestly a safety hazard in many ways. I will apply the appropriate bearing lube/oil before too long. Huge thanks! This was a huge help!!!
Cool, but I think Phil Tenacious would work better.
@@RJTheBikeGuy Thank you, I will look into that immediately. I don't usually ever use WD40 but I am in a pinch at the moment. I also subbed to your channel. The only thing I need to do now is re-lace my rear rim after an accident left me with 4 broken spokes. XD Again, great info! Thanks! 👍 👍 👍
you did a great job man! im actually learning every videos you made thanks for these i got a lot of tricks from you!
He ia the best
Thanks working on one now, this helped a lot.
Great video very helpful i have the same issue and needed help and advice your video is bang on the money thank you from ireland.
Great video - exactly my problem - thanks
Well done man!
Best video on CZcams
Cheers man, super helpful
Thanks for this!
Thanks a mil man!
As a follow up; I picked up some machine oil today from Wal-Mart that can be used for bikes. It is not Phil Tenacious as they did not carry it. However I noticed a HUGE improvement! I owned a Fuji Allegro Valite that would glide when I rode it. Tonight I felt that same glide after using the proper oil on my mountain bike freewheel. I wasn't sure if these could be serviced and it was difficult finding good videos on it. So thanks again RJ! Much appreciated! You definitely earned a sub! 👍 👍 👍
Something else that might work well is chainsaw bar oil.
@@RJTheBikeGuy Thank you! I really like how you have particular attention to details. I have seen many mechanics make erroneous diagnostics by not putting parts through their paces. I really look forward to looking through your videos to see what else you got going on. Mechanics both bike or car, it pays dividends to learn from others mistakes and trials and errors. You seem very knowledgeable about these things. Are you an engineer or mechanic by trade? I am new to the channel so if it has been states in a video before this I wouldn't know.
czcams.com/video/vr2KNjxbhjg/video.html
Great video
Muy buenos vídeos
Very good vídeo
Bike shop sold me a new wheel……ripped off! Thanks mate I think I can fix the real problem now! Wish I still had my old wheel!
It's a quick fix but since you're removing the freewheel it's a good idea to remove the locknut and inspect the bearings, cups and palls. Stickiness is often an indication that the palls are gummed up from years of dirt and old grease. I've seen everything from caked up lithium grease to cracked or egged out bearings. So much depends on the age and use. If it's been years since it was last serviced and you're replacing the chain and derailleur pulleys it's best to do a complete overhaul and/or replacement if needed.
The point of this is to clear out the old grease. You don't always need to take them apart, if ever.
RJ checked the wheel bearings first. If a rider never checked their hubs, they'll probably never service the freewheel! You can feel with your fingers if the bearings are loose, contaminated or gritty. I could see that wheel spun smoothly and freely. This was also a video regarding freewheels just like the title says. I'd bet RJ has another video to adjust and overhaul hub bearings.
Unless it's a very nice and valuable vintage freewheel, it's hardly worth the time to disassemble and overhaul an inexpensive freewheel. There's probably a hundred tiny loose balls in one. You probably can't find replacement cogs either. Its an interesting project for tinkerers though.
I might overhaul a Dura Ace, Shimano 600 or Campagnolo freewheel. DA was probably the best freewheel ever made. I had two and sold them years later, after lots of miles for more than what I paid for them. I never needed to tear one apart either. I just oiled it.
A decent freewheel costs less than $30. That covers about 15 minutes of my labor at my shop.
The spray out, blow out and drip in, spin and gravity method works perfect 99% of the time. If it doesn't, don't waste your time. Throw junk away and replace it.
Time is money unless you have no new part options. Overhauling freewheels is not a cost/time effective endeavor.
But learning how a freewheel works is a valuable learning experience in general, so it might not be a total waste of time.
I tried NOT to get caight riding in the rain, I swear it!!🙈 Thanks again!A+!👌😮
That was so satisfying seeing the freewheel turning from that tight spot
I love your videos dude you’re very educational very insightful. Was just wondering if you had any experience with magnesium alloy wheels, or if you posted any videos on them.
Excellent.
Thank you sir, my 13 year old neglected bike lives on!
Cool video...thx.
Thanks mate
To helpful after 6 years, thanks Sr.
Thanks!
Nice!
Nice video! I have a few kids bikes that seem to have a lot of dirt inside of them. Are they made the same as this?
Thanks.
Great video! I was wondering why my road bike, while coasting, occasionally felt like something was stuck in the rear brake, and the top part of the chain was dropped down. Problem solved!
IT TOOK ME SOOOOO LONG TO FIND😂😂😂 I couldn’t make the buzz at a bike shop for a mechanic so they didn’t know what to do and neither did I
thanks
I have a trek 820 free mtn bike. Can I swap the 3 chain ring set to a two ring set. Looking to turn into a hybrid/ road bike to loose weight for excel use to hop back on my early carbon fiber specialized road bike again
Hi mate not sure if my problem is the same but the casette (looks like the metal gears in this video) stick to the wheel while im free riding so the chain then slips. Need to ride it today so am a little bummed.
BANGIN
What did you spray in free wheel
It's good to put some lubricant on the freewheel threads so You can get it better off of the hub from the hub. Otherwise a great informative video! Keep up the good job!
I use anti-seize copper grease..
That was so satisfying seeing the freewheel turning from that tight spot to full on beast 3:56
Hey RJ, almost every time I change my tire, I ether struggle to remove or put it back on and after hard effort to find out the tube is accidently puncher and leak even I using nylon tire remover levers and have to do it all over again often, can you please make video of best way to change tire.
Hi RJ.As always likes your videos, thanks for sharing.My question is why you don't remove the seal on the freewheel and disassembly it then
regrease bearing for preventing sticking?
Because disassembly is not usually needed. czcams.com/video/T_vRbBRPr3c/video.html
I accidentally did this on my girlfriend's bike, bearings all over the place! Got it nice and clean though 😜😁
Hello Rj, is a slight amount of play required in the hub to move the wheel freely, because I realised that the wheel does move more freely when there is a little bit of play in the hub. But if I tight a Little bit not too tight the wheel doesn't move as freely as when it has a super slight play in the wheel. I have a mtb and its the rear wheel with 7 speed freewheel on it.
You want it to move smoothly with little to no play.
@@RJTheBikeGuy Yeah I am confused is the play required to move the wheel smoothly? Because when there is no play the wheel moves but not that smooth as it moves with a bit of play.
Hello.
I use the same way of maintenance of the freewheel.
It is worth to heat the temperature of the freewheel, then the oil penetrates inside better.
I use the lubricant "IPONE SanadChain", after evaporation it is resistant to water, and quietens the work of freewheel.
I'm using a google translator, I'm sorry for mistakes.
Hi, I have a freewheel UG doing strength given by old age and moisture that cycling has taken remaining still in a very damp garage. You advise me to completely disassemble the freewheel to clean and lubricate it with a Teflon grease or steps in this your video? I would use for the city. If I had to take it apart completely should I buy well as tools. Thank you very much for your videos.
+capitanon I am not sure what you are asking. You mention UG, Uniglide? That is a freehub/cassette and not a freewheel. Taking them apart is last resort. Generally these are considered disposable, they wear out, you replace them. But you can clean/lube them like in the video.
here we go. thats the issue i have. the thing is my hub and freewheel are suposed to be new as i got as replacement for the failed one. could this be also an issue just because its new, or they prob screwed up during assembly?the thing is to take the freehub a pat its so far impossible as i have to unscrew a 15mm boltt from the non DS and its tight as hell...so im thinking of even chaning the wheel for a easy to maintain one...cheers
I use automobile gear oil for free wheels and free hubs. Similar viscosity to Phil. Excellent lubricant. A lot cheaper.
Mark Holm , Valvoline ?
Good Stuff, just bought a 2nd hand bike and I like my bikes to perform best as they can...
Washing freewheel in diesel of gas fuel is much more efficient on old funky parts, not to mention faster. Just do it outside so fumes don't get to your head. I lubricated my freewheel with old stock 10w30. It works great and it was free. Simple solutions work best.
Hold the wheel vertically with the freewheel away from you and the wrench horizontal and push down; you can't exert enough force pulling toward you or sideways as in the video, and it's not general practice; if it's stuck put the wheel with remover in a vice and rotate the wheel, you can generate sufficient torque that way.
Put the freewheel remover in a bench vise then use the wheel as leverage. This is the quickest and most efficient way to remove a really stuck freewheel.
So, I'm gonna have to rip it off and flood it out. Can I use JB blaster and spray at it without having to take it off? I don't have any specialty tools.
This just saved my old crappy freewheel. What happened to the Nishiki?
If you've got a bench vise, put the freewheel remover in it. Use the wheel as leverage and turn CCW.
THIS is quickest and most efficient way to remove even a very stuck freewheel.
If it's really stuck, two people can grab the wheel! Always drip penetrating oil where the freewheel screws onto the hub, before removing the freewheel. If it's really stuck, keep applying the oil for a few hours.
What if some click sounds coming from free wheel or chain!, It can't be bottom bracket cause i replaced bearings and tighten everything at front side. Nd also my freewheel having same problems like this freewheel, it sometimes rotates the tyre backwards
very useful hack bike hack
oh thanks sir i have this prublum i chang wheel i west alot mony
Saw a bike tech put the removal tool in a vice and turn the wheel instead - freewheel released simply and effortlessly.
Have almost same problem. But in my case, it was bent axle
Can you do this without the special tool? And, can you lube it up with a chain oil/lube? Thanks
Maybe... it seems to work fine with mine so I think it's fine just be careful with the oil going into your disc rotor / rim it'll cause it to be loud as heck or weaken the braking power
My touring trek bike was on the corner of my bedroom for 10 years withtout being used, now I tried to put on a trainer to do indoor exercise. After I set up on the trainer, the rear wheel does not spin when when I hit the pedal, then I removed the bike from the trainer, and walked the bike on the floor, and the wheels move, but when I use the pedal with my hands, the rear wheel moves slow, what could be? Before I did all this, I used dental brush to remove dust on and around this area, also I believe some build up of grease coming from kitchen affected the bike during 10 years. Does dust, dirty affects the wheel? What should I do, do I need to take to the store or I can use oil, which oil? how I can clean the whole thing. I am illiterate with bike, I don't even know how to change tire, I don't know why the air pin went inside the flat tire on my another bicycle. Note: I am female, I learned riding bike by myself when I was 42 years old, and enjoyed the rides, but then I had a very stress circumstance in my life during this 10 years, and I stopped the riding, and I want to resume the riding. What happened if I try to ride the bicycle,will the wheel spin normally, or the bike will fall with me?
That oil has a "stringy" appearance like bar and chain oil for chainsaw. Could bar and chain be used here?
Maybe.
Just found out it was rusty inside most likely due to me cleaning the chain im assuming the soap+water got into the freewheel paws and rusted it up it's working fine now
now I'm wondering whether it will cause long term problems will the rust worsten I have already added oil into the freewheel will it get worst or not
I'm worried about it thanks as always:D
Clean it on a hot day and it will evaporate quicker, dry excess water off with paper towels or a rag. WD40 should prevent rust and don't forget to oil it before use.
@@inglouriousmofo Okay thanks!
Is sticky freewheel affect your ride?
I gotta try this with an old bike I found thrown away due to a seized freewheel. I'm sure that's nothing that a little lubrication can't fix :)
Would a sticky freewheel cause a lot of chain slack when backpedaling?
Yes.
Lol had the same problem 2 hours ago
does it have to do in jockey wheels i fell like my jockey wheels ar sticky
@@_Philip_. what'd you do to fix it
@@astroonr2235 what he did in the video I guess
Why would you do this vs opening the freewheel? I am seeing different opinions about opening a freewheel and would like to know why to and why not to.
what if it does this with a cassette/freehub?
If the axel is hold the wheel can not spin freely. what would be the reason?
that cassette is attached to the freewheel?
Hey rj my freewheel got a piece of the rubber inner tube stuck in there. What's your recommendation for that? Please answer as I need to fix it. Also my bike has a motor so it must do 30 mph without eating itself alive
In between the freewheel and axle
Without seeing it I can't say exactly what you need to do. Just do whatever it is that solves the problem. Remove the freewheel from the hub. It shouldn't be that hard to remove whatever debris is there.
+RJ The Bike Guy I got a picture. I'll tag ya on Google
RJ The Bike Guy I posted the pic
Tagging don't work but here is the link: plus.google.com/+funnypranker34/posts/NQSd35fAQYs
Don't use a breaker bar, the safest method is to put the tool in a vice and use the leverage of the wheel (and your entire upper-body) to undo it. I'd flush it out with disc brake cleaner, it's my go-to solvent for any dirty job.
Automotive brake cleaner works even better than WD-40. The old grease and dirt will just pour out the front of the freewheel body as you spray the brake cleaner in from the back.
I use CRC brand which you can get in any auto parts store.
3:56 woohooooo!!!
Hey RJ, could you answer this question pretty quickly? (I'm going to a bike repair shop very soon). I have this exact problem on my 80's road bike wheel aswell but I don't have the tools for this so I'm gonna leave it to a bike shop. I asked the owner of the shop via FB messanger and he said (I'm gonna quote him): *Doing as in the video is a bit like artificial breathing, 1 maybe 2 seasons works depending on how much you cycle. To lubricate the freewheel would cost approx. 21£, a new 6 speed freewheel costs 15.5£* . The freewheel I have now is not that worn (it's a Regina Extra - EX, Made in Italy) I don't feel like I wanna change that. What should I do?
Buy a freewheel remover tool and some oil and flush and lube the thing. You will still have the tool and the oil when your are done for next time.
@@RJTheBikeGuy That sounds like the best option but I don't know exactly what tool to buy. Someone said it's like a jungle of different versions of tools just for taking off the freewheel. Is that true? I have a Regina freewheel, do I just buy a Campagnolo freewheel remover tool or may I get the wrong thing? (thanks for the quick answers btw, very nice👍)
I have noticed there's different teeth on the freewheel thus the removal tool. You seem to have 4 big teeth on your freewheel/removal tool. I just counted the teeth on mine and it's 20. Can I get any removal tool aslong as it's also 20 teeth? Or does it have to suite specially for Regina or like, is it different tools if the bike is old Vs new?
@@davidlundmark9359 There are a bunch of different freewheel tools. You have to figure out which one fits your freewheel. Maybe this one: www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001B6LKXS/ref=nosim/youtube25-20
@@RJTheBikeGuy Oh the tool already got sold 😔 I went to the bike shop and he said my Regina freewheel is like an old school casette and that it would be hard/difficult to do by myself (harder than a normal old school freewheel). On the spot he said the goo would dissolve with a tiny bit of PTFE spray into the freewheel so he sprayed it in (without dismounting anything) and it worked and spins good now (but he said this was a kinda shorter term solution). But do I need to oil it in now or can I just drive with it with no problems? He said he sprayed it with just a tiny bit of PTFE spray so it didnt dissolve too much lubricant.
Is it a sticky freewheel if the sprockets rotate with the wheel when I stop pedaling, then I have to pedal about 1/2 revolution with zero resistance until it re-engages to where I can transmit torque?
Sounds like it could be.
@@RJTheBikeGuy thank you!
how did u loosen the freewheel without it spinning? usually ppl use a chain whip
Your bike doesn't seems like a freewheel you don't need a chain whip for a freewheel to be removed
your bike seems like it has a cassette you will need a chainwhip for that
There's a grinding/scraping sound in my freewheel could it be that the bearings need some oil ?
Try to clean and lube them like in this video. If they still grind then maybe replace or overhaul.
RJ The Bike Guy bike is a week old ,doubt it would need replacing already
Take it back to the shop and have them fix it.
Good day sir. I played someone to service my free wheel due to a tapping noise occurring when I am pedalling. The bearings where cleaned , regressed and reinstalled. The free hub was serviced as well. Thereafter I keep getting a sqeek squeek when "freewheeling" or "coasting" no noise when pedeling. What could this be. Feels like a tiny mouse is in my freehweel.
Edit. Mine is a cassette with free hub .
Noises can come from anywhere.
@@RJTheBikeGuy Yea it's commuting from the free hub. If you take out the wheel. And spin it while holding the axle ; no noise. But if you hold down the free wheel when the rim is spinning. You hear sqeek sqeek. What I noticed as well is when you roll the bike forward , and being off it, the pedals will move. That never happened before. I can peadel backwards and the rim will turn.
I would clean with something that doesn't leave residue that might interfere with the properties of the Tenacious Oil, something like isopropyl alcohol or automotive brake cleaner.
Do what you want, but this works fine. Not enough WD-40 residue is left to matter.
@@RJTheBikeGuy "Not enough WD-40 residue is left to matter."
That may be true, but e.g., isopropyl alcohol leaves no residue at all, so there isn't even a chance of it interfering with the oil. Plus, it's cheaper than WD-40. If you're not concerned about residue, just use gasoline. You can buy a whole gallon of it for a couple of dollars. That's cheap enough that you can submerge the freewheel in it and let it soak for a while, to make sure it's really clean.
great video! do you have an alternative to Phils tenacious oil for re-lubing the freewheel?
Not really. This is what I use. This is what most shops use.
Fair enough...wonder if its the same over here in the UK. There is 3in1 oil but doesn't have the same consistency (thinner)
I have read chainsaw bar oil might work.
Jack Greenaway , yes ,,, definitely ,,, Valvoline , gear - oil
Badly sticking freewheel on an old mountain bike; I cheated and tried the easiest fix first - just sprayed WD40 into it *without removing the wheel first* . It worked.
noticed that the oil has quietened down the pawls clicking sound after oiling it,or is it that your camera's mic isn't picking it up?
neil crompton Yes, the oil will quiet down the pawls. That is one way you know oil is getting in there.
i find the chatter of the pawls annoying but when your'e near traffic it's not as noticeable as much as the sounds of cars drown it out to a degree,so would it be a wise move to re oil the pawls every couple of months so it doesn't dry out?
If you use a good oil, it should last a very long time.
My nick stopped back pedaling and the pedals stopped working sometimes they continue going after I take my foot off or the get stuck and don't move
safe to say, if your bikes wheel doesnt spin easily then bike riding is alot more harder?