Annoying freewheel problem

[Parrot of Doom]

Out of the blue, my rear hub has suddenly developed an intermittent ratchet on the free-wheel.

Basically I can pedal fine, but if I free-wheel for a few dozen yards and then start pedalling again, the hub just spins - its basically free-wheeling in both directions. I have to stop, and 'kick' the pedal (like starting a motorcycle) a few times before it catches and I can pedal again. Sometimes while pedalling I can hear it making a slight noise behind me (along with the pedals skipping a half inch or so of travel), as though something is broken/loose. The result is I can't trust the bike uphill in case it starts free-wheeling.

The wheel is only 6 months old or so so I can take it back to the shop and get it repaired/replaced, but I'd rather be pre-armed and know if this is a common problem, and possibly something I could rectify? This is really annoying as I'm off to Spain on Friday and I plan on taking the bike with me.

Hub:



Wheel:

[vrooom]

Look like you killed it with too much grease/oil. you need to strip it down and give it clean
and put it back driely with very little grease.

Freewheel internal got gummed up and sticking up due too much oil/grease.

[Parrot of Doom]

That simple? The thing is, I never built it Bought straight from the shop.

Maybe there's a poor seal on it and mud is getting in?

[pawsmcgraw]

Ah Mavic, nothing new there then!You need to pull the freehub body off and clean the pawls.It then needs re lubing with the correct mavic freehub oil,and the seal needs lubing too.
If you don't use the correct oil they don't work well for very long.

[mk1fan]

Yeah, Mavic freewheels need regular servicing and tlc (compared to some makes). Just needs a minor service - all explained in the manual. Don't think you've got any comeback with the shop.

[Parrot of Doom]

Right, well I don't have the tools to get the freehub off so I think I'll take it to the shop tomorrow and have them do it. Hopefully it'll be sorted for when I leave, and I can buy the tool myself while I'm there.

Bloody annoying tbh. The last hub IIRC was a Shimano Deore, it went 6 years and never a problem (despite a very rough set of bearings by the end!)

[mk1fan]

You may be able to get the freewheel off without removing the cassette, although I don't know for sure and I don't have access to my manual.

[pawsmcgraw]

10 mm allen key after pulling the drop out guide off the end, then a 5mm in the other end....undo , normal rotation and pull the whole cassette and body off in one go.....watch where the pawl springs go too!
They now use red (as in colour)pawls as the older ones use to wear bad and left ali filings inside to act as grinding paste.
Simple as, takes 10 mins to do it right.
If its not done often the iglidore body wears fast on the inner end and you end up with a floppy cassette on the wheel.Every 20 or so hours is the service interval to clean, inspect and re oil in think.

[pdV6]

I had similar with my CrossRides; dropped it in to my LBS for a cleanup and it's been fine since.

[Parrot of Doom]

20 hours, bloody hell thats about 2 weeks!

I think I'll buy the correct grade mineral oil and once every so often leave the wheel on it's side, soaking in oil. I may buy the required tool, I have just about every tool for the bike except this one.