Constant broken springs freehub body

[pete H]

I have a 2021 turbo Vado SL. I have a problem that despite frequent cleaning and maintenance the springs in the freehub body keep breaking. These are not available to buy so I have to purchase a complete new freehub body. I've done just over 5k on the bike and on my 3rd Freehub! Any ideas? Is there a stronger replacement available? Thanks in advance.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Sorry to say it but the viable alternative is to order a new wheel with a decent rear hub at a respected wheel building company. I recommend choosing a DT Swiss 350 Classic rear hub as the starting point.

Is your drivetrain 10 or 12 speed? Shimano or SRAM?

Last April, I ordered building a strong rear wheel. DT Swiss U623 (25 mm internal rim width), 32-spoke rim, DT Swiss 350 rear hub (Centerlock) with 32 spoke holes, Sapim Strong spokes. I took the opportunity to upgrade from 10 to 12 speed, Shimano, Microspline freehub body from DT Swiss 148 mm.

Besides, I have never experienced any freehub body spring snap.

 

[pete H]

Thankyou Stefan. That's going to be too much cost for me. I am going to measure the last spring I have intact tomorrow and see if I can source a supplier. I'll update you later

 

[fooferdoggie]

How heavy is your grease? Using something lighter may help

Phil Wood Tenacious Lube Oil​

 

[PedalUma]

Or as @fooferdoggie knows, get a White Industries or maybe an Onyx hub. DT Swiss makes some strong AL rims, and have a wheel builder at it. These take heavier loads and last. Onyx makes zero sound when coasting. White Industries does make sound but they are highly durable.

 

[pete H]

How heavy is your grease? Using something lighter may help

Phil Wood Tenacious Lube Oil​

How heavy is your grease? Using something lighter may help

Phil Wood Tenacious Lube Oil​

@fooferdoggie you were right on the money! I was not aware of the lube fact and was using normal grease on the freehub body after cleaning. After a visit to my LBS dealership they confirmed that was the problem. So just awaiting new part and oil delivery. Thankyou everyone.

 

[fooferdoggie]

@fooferdoggie you were right on the money! I was not aware of the lube fact and was using normal grease on the freehub body after cleaning. After a visit to my LBS dealership they confirmed that was the problem. So just awaiting new part and oil delivery. Thankyou everyone.

I just learned it for my white industries hub.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Same reason you don't use automotive brake caliper grease in an ebike motor as a lubricant.
It's the Small Details Norton

 

[Stefan Mikes]

(Who on earth even cleans the freehub body?!)

 

[Gionnirocket]

(the same people who buy Specialized) )

 

[pete H]

(Who on earth even cleans the freehub body?!)

I certainly do when it begins to clunky when the pawls stick!

 

[Gionnirocket]

I learned this myself greasing my motor gears. Since I had the motor open I cleaned and lubed the spindle pawl clutch and used the same grease as I did with the motor gears as they are in close proximity and didn't want cross contamination. On reassembly I bench tested it and the clutch wasn't releasing as quickly as it should even tho I used as thin a coat of grease as possible. Took it back apart, cleaned and used a thinner/less tacky grease and I was back in business.
8000mi later not a single issue.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I certainly do when it begins to clunky when the pawls stick!

Pete, the freehub body is one of a few bicycle parts that needs no servicing. Perhaps the pawls do stick because of the grease?

 

[pete H]

Pete, the freehub body is one of a few bicycle parts that needs no servicing. Perhaps the pawls do stick because of the grease?

As far as I can see,(I'm no expert) there is no seal preventing mud/water getting to the pawls. It's always happened since buying the bike. As you know it's very easy to pull the freehub off for a clean

 

[fooferdoggie]

As far as I can see,(I'm no expert) there is no seal preventing mud/water getting to the pawls. It's always happened since buying the bike. As you know it's very easy to pull the freehub off for a clean

thousands of miles in the rain and never saw water in the freehub well in the mechanical. but thats on the dt swiss. but cheap hubs they can need cleaned and regressed.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Guys. I had ridden a Vado SL 1 with the stock 10s rear hub for almost five years in all weather/terrain conditions and even didn't know what the freehub body was. Meanwhile I was replacing chains and cassettes. I had ridden my big Vado with the stock 11s rear hub for 3 1/2 years, was replacing chains and cassettes, and even...

Both were stock hubs with stock freehub bodies.

Pete, I have a strange feeling you managed to overdo the things How was it? "If it ain't broken, don't fix it"

 

[stompandgo]

In the past, I've always stripped the pawl grease and used light oil. They roll faster that way.