Deore XT cassette body help

[trailwright]

I'm a reasonably competent mechanic on the retro stuff, but in dismantling a rear XT M732 hub today I have not been able to figure out how to breakdown further the cassette body to reach the bearings. I can't see anything to unscrew so it looks like a press fit. I didn't want to go bashing away though. It needs to be done as it's dry.

Could one of you bike shop pros elaborate please!

 

[Rotorhead]

I’m sure an expert will be along. I’m not one. I seem to remember however that they are not serviceable and the best way to improve matters is to dribble in some heavy-ish oil while rotating the freehub, with it tilted appropriately.

 

[db95]

^^

 

[FluffyChicken]

You need the tool or make a tool to fit the front, or the greasing tool.

Or pull the seal from the back gently, sit in lube etc, inject grease etc.


db95, that's for the hub bearing, not the freehub which is probably what is being talked about here.

Edit to add

G

Thread 'Freehub disassembly tool'

Jul 9, 2021

Does anyone here know where I can get the equivalent of the discontinued Shimano TL-FK40 for disassembling freehubs?

There's an American chap who makes them but only ships within the US. It looks like a Polish company called Bitul used to make them, but no longer does.

• gmtfd
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Retro MTB Chat

 

[Pllacebo99]

Remove the cassete, remove the spindle using cone spanners then try a large allen key on the drive side to remove the freehub.

been a long since ive serviced a shimano freehub

 

[trailwright]

Remove the cassete, remove the spindle using cone spanners then try a large allen key on the drive side to remove the freehub.

been a long since ive serviced a shimano freehub

Yep done all that. It's the freehub I am referring to.

 

[trailwright]

You need the tool or make a tool to fit the front, or the greasing tool.

Or pull the seal from the back gently, sit in lube etc, inject grease etc.


db95, that's for the hub bearing, not the freehub which is probably what is being talked about here.

Edit to add

G

Thread 'Freehub disassembly tool'

Jul 9, 2021

Does anyone here know where I can get the equivalent of the discontinued Shimano TL-FK40 for disassembling freehubs?

There's an American chap who makes them but only ships within the US. It looks like a Polish company called Bitul used to make them, but no longer does.

• gmtfd
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Retro MTB Chat

I did actually see there's a couple of squarish cut outs within but another very niche tool likely required. I think the squeezing great in method will have to suffice. Gotta get me grease gun then.

 

[Crispybike]

Yep, sounds like you're at that classic Shimano freehub dead end, no easy way in without that elusive TL-FK40 or a DIY workaround. I’ve had decent luck with the “grease and spin” method too, messy, but it brings them back to life. Just takes patience (and a lot of paper towels).

 

[trailwright]

Thanks for all your help. I've since discovered that there are plenty of alternative tools out there that do the job. I wonder why Shimano would discontinue on that basis? Anyway here's one example on eBay:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286007462233?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338590836&toolid=10044&customid=1c9e061f16d816ed8dfc6e0837d80c90

 

[bikeworkshop]

Let us know how you get on.

We save old freehub bodies because usual by the time they feel awful, the bearing surface is pitted but not replaceable and they'd need shims pinched from other FHBs, so a load of work with an imperfect outcome.

As those early hg freehubs wear out though, the spares drawers are emptying out