Jackshaft heavy duty freewheel breakdown

[Pablo]

A few comments.

"Mind that sickbikeparts sells a freewheel remover tool for use with the products they sell, don't buy it though because it isn't the right size......"

We actually sell multiple FW removal tools, because we sell multiple FW's and there is not exactly a single standard. Not sure how you ended up with the incorrect tool, but contacting us we could have helped you out.

As for the actual failure.......

".....botched attempt at oiling since he wanted to get grease inside, it was a year since it was installed and thought it needed it........"

We don't recommend grease, so again with the contacting us part. It's possible his attempt didn't get the snap ring seated, hard to say.

But for the people reading this: we do offer a warranty, we do sell spare parts after the warranty, we have lube instructions if needed and yes we do sell the correct tool. And lastly we provide strong and timely support as we have for almost 10 years - please contact us if you have an issue. Thanks!

 

[Frankenstein]

A few comments.

"Mind that sickbikeparts sells a freewheel remover tool for use with the products they sell, don't buy it though because it isn't the right size......"

We actually sell multiple FW removal tools, because we sell multiple FW's and there is not exactly a single standard. Not sure how you ended up with the incorrect tool, but contacting us we could have helped you out.

As for the actual failure.......

".....botched attempt at oiling since he wanted to get grease inside, it was a year since it was installed and thought it needed it........"

We don't recommend grease, so again with the contacting us part. It's possible his attempt didn't get the snap ring seated, hard to say.

But for the people reading this: we do offer a warranty, we do sell spare parts after the warranty, we have lube instructions if needed and yes we do sell the correct tool. And lastly we provide strong and timely support as we have for almost 10 years - please contact us if you have an issue. Thanks!

Yes thank you, I know you sell spare parts, your listing for the appropriate tool was probably messed up along the line, it was purchased almost a year ago? Needed to swap chainring and hadn't known if this would be needed. Used it recently and it slipped off the freewheel multiple times untill I used a hammer to fix the tool, had the right one but I guess the pegs were misaligned for my freewheel type.

As for the actual failure, obviously that was covered. You also replaced and repaired this freewheel before. Maybe a year ago, beginning of its start of service date. He didn't refer to the manual completely and the shield was the main problem once it died, course for all I know it was the hidden shield that got blown, or something else happened. He did not do it properly, he lifted a shield and put grease or oil or whatever inside while this was on the bike. Cross contamination is a problem at times.

My freewheel is, for all intensive reasons, fine. No wobble or gritty spots in its turns. You don't sell spare bearings but it's understandable why, you'd lose money. Also I will say that you installed a 6808 bearing shield in the freewheel, it survived which is how I ended up with a too big bearing lol... The blue lockring type uses a 6708 bearing which you certainly know. If the shields are exactly the same then by no means would it be your fault it failed.

Now all parts were outside the warranty, and any time we had a problem with your stuff while under warranty you've been more than helpful. Which is why you'll be getting an order for the most expensive freewheel you sell and undoubtedly will get more business from us in the future.

Didn't knock the company other than the bad freewheel tool, but it worked anyways and personally if I didn't make the tool work I would have taken to the shop and had it yanked. Then the tool would just sit till it was needed next.

Just giving people an idea of what makes the part and what can be done to salvage useful parts. Since you don't sell bearings and for about 20 bucks one can get the actual type online I figured I'd put it out there. Unless you recently started selling bearings then great.

I would say that buying a new freewheel is a bad idea if you do it once a year, easier to get a stack of bearings and just replace that part when you feel its needed. To make it better most work can be done without removing the freewheel from the crank if one was interested in only replacing the bearings.

I use a different formula than you for bearing lube, but it's fine since it's actually oil for derby skating, which is pretty rough on bearings and demands very high rpm from the wheel, sometimes a wheel can get hot enough to sizzle spit, the oils need to be resistant to that and are.

Merry Christmas!

 

[Pablo]

We do sell the bearings, but we don't have them on our site. We should probably get them up there, but wasn't an intention to have people buy a whole new FW. Just not that many fail.

Here: http://www.sickbikeparts.com/Manuals/Instructions_Freewheel_Disassembly.pdf

We've had two+ tools since day one with the HD.

And here: http://www.sickbikeparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=233

Other one: http://www.sickbikeparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=64

Thanks and Merry Christmas to you!!

 

[Frankenstein]

Oh yeah, you sell 2 types, part# 233 and 64, mind you the listing says standard freewheel (the definition of standard lets lots of room for interpretation) and doesn't specify that it won't work on heavy or ultra heavy or super duper duty.

Now he was the one that was desperate to oil it. He said it felt wonky. I didn't touch mine and still haven't, and might not even bother.

I forewarned him to do it the right way and when I found out what he did I made a face and he said it felt fine after, actually said it was better..

Just so everyone knows I highly suggest following proper technique when dealing with ANY bearing or bearing containing object. Unless your riding on ceramic balls and have debri resistant cages in the bearing then you will have to take proper steps at care.

 

[Pablo]

Point taken!!!! We have struggled for a name for our lowest cost FW. Could use ideas. "Standard", "Regular", ???

Also we did have a FW removal tool #101, which we discontinued when we added the UHD FW. The tool #233 fits both the HD and UHD FW's but not the lower cost FW.

Now to make this even more complex, we are adding a mid-range front FW in January (around $50). I know - too many SKU's. But customers like the choices.

 

[Pablo]

Oh and thanks Frank N. Stein!!

 

[Frankenstein]

Oh and thanks Frank N. Stein!!

No problem, it's Frankenstein, and in case anyone cares found an extra half hour and got a 10th of a mm off, started with 51... (don't ask why it's upsidedown this phone takes its own pictures I sorta just supervise it)

 

[Frankenstein]

Oh sorry I got a 20th of a mm, it's just doubled across the diameter of the bearing... Still, a 10th of the way through my goal of 50mm.. So if it took a half hour then it should take only about 5 hours to do it right. Since it's the holiday and I have plenty of free time this won't be a problem. Perhaps the busier folk would benefit from buying the exact right bearing. If you got time just use it and do it right.

 

[Frankenstein]

Down a bit more..

This is that fancy jig I got, it's just a dremel stand, for small work it's one of the most versatile tools a person can just have...

 

[Frankenstein]

Dare I, senior citizens?