My cassette and freehub just came off?

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

I haven't used the bike in a while, went to move the wheels and the cassette just came off?! I can't seem to get the hub back on because the pawls are "open" and I haven't got enough hands

So.....what do I do, and why on earth did this happen in the first place?!

[magpie215]

The freehub is usually retained by an Allen bolt

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

magpie215 said:

The freehub is usually retained by an Allen bolt

Can't seem to find one but I'll have a better look! Still not sure how to get it back on, mind.

[Mazinbrum]

On both my bike it just pulls off so nothing wrong with that. Good time to clean an oil/ light grease the pawls. People say not to grease them as the pawls will stick but I’ve never had a problem.
Gently push and rotate and it will easily go back on.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

Managed to get the cassette back on, but when I rotate it there is a lot more resistance than normal, and the cassette can still be wiggled (ie if you pull on it it moves a bit). Not sure what it is but this black piece in the cassette was also loose.

Cheers

[addey]

That's the lock ring, which holds the cassette on the freehub. Do you have the tool that fits it? You probably need to remove the cassette, check the freehub is on properly, then refit the cassette and ensure it is tight. What make are the wheels?

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

addey said:

That's the lock ring, which holds the cassette on the freehub. Do you have the tool that fits it? You probably need to remove the cassette, check the freehub is on properly, then refit the cassette and ensure it is tight. What make are the wheels?

Yes, I have a cassette lock tool and a chain whip so I'll remove it and refit it.

They're Zipp 404 Firecrest wheels. Probably around 4 years old, give or take. Many thanks!

[frisbee]

One thing to look out for is that some wheels have an O-ring to seal the cassette freehub into the wheel. If this doesn't sit properly you can get a surprising amount of drag, enough to make the chain collapse when backpedalling.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

frisbee said:

One thing to look out for is that some wheels have an O-ring to seal the cassette freehub into the wheel. If this doesn't sit properly you can get a surprising amount of drag, enough to make the chain collapse when backpedalling.

I've just taken it apart and there is indeed a spacer, although it came off very rapidly so I'm not sure if it goes on the axle BEFORE the freehub goes on (ie the side of the freehub with the pawls will be in contact with it) or the other side?

[frisbee]

Zipp have exploded diagrams of their hubs in spare parts catalogues on the SRAM website.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

frisbee said:

Zipp have exploded diagrams of their hubs in spare parts catalogues on the SRAM website.

Many thanks, just had a look, put it back together and still more resistance than normal so I have decided I can't be arsed. I'll get someone else to look at it when I can be bothered. I don't really cycle any more, but was moving some bits about and that happened and it bugged me a bit. I haven't used the bike for about 6 months or more, but it's not how it should be!