Metallic pinging sounds from cassette - but only when dirty
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
Metallic pinging sounds from cassette - but only when dirty
So I'm scratching my head over this one...
When my 11speed Shimano cassette is dirty my bike will emit a metallic pinging/clicking noise. It almost sounds like a creaking sound as if the bike is going to explode at any moment. But the noise only happens when the cassette is dirty. Take rear wheel off the bike, scrub the cassette with a degreaser/brush, put the wheel back on the bike and bingo! Sound/noise is gone.
But ride the bike for a distance (120k? 200k? distance varies) and as the cassette gets dirty the noise start up again. I've had the bike in to the LBS and they couldn't figure it out. At first they thought it was a spoke tension issue. It wasn't.
Anyone have any ideas what it may be? I'd like to get the cassette off the free hub and give it a proper cleaning, but I can't get the lock nut off (the subject of another post over here).
Thanks for your time/reading. Cheers.
When my 11speed Shimano cassette is dirty my bike will emit a metallic pinging/clicking noise. It almost sounds like a creaking sound as if the bike is going to explode at any moment. But the noise only happens when the cassette is dirty. Take rear wheel off the bike, scrub the cassette with a degreaser/brush, put the wheel back on the bike and bingo! Sound/noise is gone.
But ride the bike for a distance (120k? 200k? distance varies) and as the cassette gets dirty the noise start up again. I've had the bike in to the LBS and they couldn't figure it out. At first they thought it was a spoke tension issue. It wasn't.
Anyone have any ideas what it may be? I'd like to get the cassette off the free hub and give it a proper cleaning, but I can't get the lock nut off (the subject of another post over here).
Thanks for your time/reading. Cheers.
Last edited by NoWhammies; 08-13-19 at 12:11 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,192
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
So I'm scratching my head over this one...
When my 11speed Shimano cassette is dirty my bike will emit a metallic pinging/clicking noise. It almost sounds like a creaking sound as if the bike is going to explode at any moment. But the noise only happens when the cassette is dirty. Take rear wheel off the bike, scrub the cassette with a degreaser/brush, put the wheel back on the bike and bingo! Sound/noise is gone.
But ride the bike for a bike (120k? 200k? distance varies) and as the cassette gets dirty the noise start up again. I've had the bike in to the LBS and they couldn't figure it out. At first they thought it was a spoke tension issue. It wasn't.
Anyone have any ideas what it may be? I'd like to get the cassette off the free hub and give it a proper cleaning, but I can't get the lock nut off (the subject of another post over here).
Thanks for your time/reading. Cheers.
When my 11speed Shimano cassette is dirty my bike will emit a metallic pinging/clicking noise. It almost sounds like a creaking sound as if the bike is going to explode at any moment. But the noise only happens when the cassette is dirty. Take rear wheel off the bike, scrub the cassette with a degreaser/brush, put the wheel back on the bike and bingo! Sound/noise is gone.
But ride the bike for a bike (120k? 200k? distance varies) and as the cassette gets dirty the noise start up again. I've had the bike in to the LBS and they couldn't figure it out. At first they thought it was a spoke tension issue. It wasn't.
Anyone have any ideas what it may be? I'd like to get the cassette off the free hub and give it a proper cleaning, but I can't get the lock nut off (the subject of another post over here).
Thanks for your time/reading. Cheers.
Since it's not your spokes, maybe it is your hub and the process of degreasing the cassette cures it temporarily until it gets gunked up again? Have you tried a different chain to eliminate a chain issue?
Who put your bike together? that lock ring sounds like it is either fused on there or way overtightened.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
@jadocs the noise does not get louder depending on the side I'm leaning on. The noise DOES get louder and more frequent a) the dirtier the cassette gets and b) as more power is applied to pedals.
I suspect it is the hub too, which is why I want to get the cassette off. I'd like to give the freehub a cleaning, and the cassette a solid cleaning too.
I suspect the lock ring has been over tightened through a combination of the LBS and me checking to make sure a loose cassette is not the issue for the noise.
I suspect it is the hub too, which is why I want to get the cassette off. I'd like to give the freehub a cleaning, and the cassette a solid cleaning too.
I suspect the lock ring has been over tightened through a combination of the LBS and me checking to make sure a loose cassette is not the issue for the noise.
#4
Senior Member
I once had a cassette that was so clogged up with hardened chain wax that the chain would skip on the two smallest cogs. There was so much buildup between the 11t and 13t that the chain wouldn't seat fully and kept jumping out, causing a clicking sound and slippage. The wax was so hard that I had to chip it out with a small allen key, but after that it was fine.
So maybe if the cassette is super dirty, it's either interfering with chain engagement, or is somehow causing the chain to push up against the ramps for the next larger cog and making noise?
So maybe if the cassette is super dirty, it's either interfering with chain engagement, or is somehow causing the chain to push up against the ramps for the next larger cog and making noise?
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 8,319
Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 1,092 Times
in
723 Posts
If the cassette is dirty with sand or similar particles, perhaps the sound is those particles getting crunched between the chain and cogs.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,192
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
@jadocs the noise does not get louder depending on the side I'm leaning on. The noise DOES get louder and more frequent a) the dirtier the cassette gets and b) as more power is applied to pedals.
I suspect it is the hub too, which is why I want to get the cassette off. I'd like to give the freehub a cleaning, and the cassette a solid cleaning too.
I suspect the lock ring has been over tightened through a combination of the LBS and me checking to make sure a loose cassette is not the issue for the noise.
I suspect it is the hub too, which is why I want to get the cassette off. I'd like to give the freehub a cleaning, and the cassette a solid cleaning too.
I suspect the lock ring has been over tightened through a combination of the LBS and me checking to make sure a loose cassette is not the issue for the noise.
Edit: misread your reply, still think it’s a spoke though based on the description of the sound.
Last edited by jadocs; 08-13-19 at 04:38 PM.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
Thanks @jadocs. I have the cassette off the freehub now and gave the cassette a good cleaning this afternoon. I'll clean the freehub too and re-assemble everything tomorrow. I'll take a look at the spokes too. Thanks.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,192
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
Thanks @jadocs. I have the cassette off the freehub now and gave the cassette a good cleaning this afternoon. I'll clean the freehub too and re-assemble everything tomorrow. I'll take a look at the spokes too. Thanks.
#9
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,811
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 788 Post(s)
Liked 688 Times
in
367 Posts
Thanks @jadocs. I have the cassette off the freehub now and gave the cassette a good cleaning this afternoon. I'll clean the freehub too and re-assemble everything tomorrow. I'll take a look at the spokes too. Thanks.
Try cleaning all the pieces of the cassette again and then reassemble with a layer of grease on the cassette body and between the aluminum carriers. It won't stop the movement, but at least it won't be as noisy about it.
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
@Jeff Wills well you may be right. I had the cassette of the free hub and gave it a good scrubbing last night, then let it air dry and put it back on the freehub today. Only I put the cassette back on the freehub WITHOUT any grease. I was uncertain if I should put grease on the freehub or not. I did a lot of googling around and it seemed like the verdict was 50/50 on whether to grease or not to grease. The only grease I put on the freehub was a little bit on the lock ring.
And the cassette was noisier than ever...Frustrating as all get out.
Thanks for the suggestion to put a layer of grease on the freehub and aluminum carriers though. I hadn't thought of that.
The bit about the noise on the carriers. Is this an issue with the carrier that I need to worry about? Thank you.
And the cassette was noisier than ever...Frustrating as all get out.
Thanks for the suggestion to put a layer of grease on the freehub and aluminum carriers though. I hadn't thought of that.
The bit about the noise on the carriers. Is this an issue with the carrier that I need to worry about? Thank you.
#11
Senior Member
I've not personally ever heard of any problems with cassette carriers/spiders, but along that theme, maybe some of the rivets that hold the cogs on have become loose? That might cause some creaking issues. I know chainrings can creak if the bolts come loose, so maybe cassettes can too.
There's just a lot going on back there and there are a lot of potential noise sources (i.e. many mechanical interfaces, bearings, pivots, spoke-to-rim and spoke-to-hub junctions, etc). Maybe the freehub is a little loose or something as well. Maybe the cleaning doesn't really do anything but the act of removing and reinstalling the wheel re-seats the axle or bearings in some way that makes the noise go away for a while.
There's just a lot going on back there and there are a lot of potential noise sources (i.e. many mechanical interfaces, bearings, pivots, spoke-to-rim and spoke-to-hub junctions, etc). Maybe the freehub is a little loose or something as well. Maybe the cleaning doesn't really do anything but the act of removing and reinstalling the wheel re-seats the axle or bearings in some way that makes the noise go away for a while.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Shawnee, KS
Posts: 273
Bikes: Bike Friday NWT, Rans Stratus, Cannondale R500, trek 720 multitrack, Rockhopper
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 36 Times
in
22 Posts
Seems I read somewhere that shimano 11speed cassettes required a spacer behind them. You might check into this.
#14
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,811
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 788 Post(s)
Liked 688 Times
in
367 Posts
@Jeff Wills well you may be right. I had the cassette of the free hub and gave it a good scrubbing last night, then let it air dry and put it back on the freehub today. Only I put the cassette back on the freehub WITHOUT any grease. I was uncertain if I should put grease on the freehub or not. I did a lot of googling around and it seemed like the verdict was 50/50 on whether to grease or not to grease. The only grease I put on the freehub was a little bit on the lock ring.
And the cassette was noisier than ever...Frustrating as all get out.
Thanks for the suggestion to put a layer of grease on the freehub and aluminum carriers though. I hadn't thought of that.
The bit about the noise on the carriers. Is this an issue with the carrier that I need to worry about? Thank you.
And the cassette was noisier than ever...Frustrating as all get out.
Thanks for the suggestion to put a layer of grease on the freehub and aluminum carriers though. I hadn't thought of that.
The bit about the noise on the carriers. Is this an issue with the carrier that I need to worry about? Thank you.
I've dealt with this issue a couple times by ditching the expensive cassette and reverting to cheaper cassettes with all-steel cogs. This gets me in the weight-weenie side of my brain, but if I wanted to reduce weight I'd be on a diet. Good golly, what a potbelly...
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
Whelp...Mrs. NoWhammies and I were going away for five days of no riding. So I dropped my bike off with a Mrs. NoWhammies friend, who also owned a bike shop for many years, to have a look at my bike. Turns out a while bunch of work was needed/done...
Bearings in the rear hub - replaced and regreased
Bearings in the bottom bracket - replaces and regreased
And some other work not needed to be mentioned here. So tonight, once I get back home from work, I'll take the bike out and go for a spin. Based on all the work that was done on the bike though, I'm optimistic the noise is now gone.
@2manybikes there is approx 10,000km on the rear cassette and there there was over 5,300km on the chain.
@Baboo Next time I have the cassette off (which will likely be when I replace it next) I'll look for the spacer.
Bearings in the rear hub - replaced and regreased
Bearings in the bottom bracket - replaces and regreased
And some other work not needed to be mentioned here. So tonight, once I get back home from work, I'll take the bike out and go for a spin. Based on all the work that was done on the bike though, I'm optimistic the noise is now gone.
@2manybikes there is approx 10,000km on the rear cassette and there there was over 5,300km on the chain.
@Baboo Next time I have the cassette off (which will likely be when I replace it next) I'll look for the spacer.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 4,847
Bikes: Schwinn Varsity
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1931 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times
in
421 Posts
Whelp...Mrs. NoWhammies and I were going away for five days of no riding. So I dropped my bike off with a Mrs. NoWhammies friend, who also owned a bike shop for many years, to have a look at my bike. Turns out a while bunch of work was needed/done...
Bearings in the rear hub - replaced and regreased
Bearings in the bottom bracket - replaces and regreased
And some other work not needed to be mentioned here. So tonight, once I get back home from work, I'll take the bike out and go for a spin. Based on all the work that was done on the bike though, I'm optimistic the noise is now gone.
@2manybikes there is approx 10,000km on the rear cassette and there there was over 5,300km on the chain.
@Baboo Next time I have the cassette off (which will likely be when I replace it next) I'll look for the spacer.
Bearings in the rear hub - replaced and regreased
Bearings in the bottom bracket - replaces and regreased
And some other work not needed to be mentioned here. So tonight, once I get back home from work, I'll take the bike out and go for a spin. Based on all the work that was done on the bike though, I'm optimistic the noise is now gone.
@2manybikes there is approx 10,000km on the rear cassette and there there was over 5,300km on the chain.
@Baboo Next time I have the cassette off (which will likely be when I replace it next) I'll look for the spacer.
Tell Mrs. NoWhammies I have a bike too, and can drop it off with her.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
Whelp...Mrs. NoWhammies and I were going away for five days of no riding. So I dropped my bike off with a Mrs. NoWhammies friend, who also owned a bike shop for many years, to have a look at my bike. Turns out a while bunch of work was needed/done...
Bearings in the rear hub - replaced and regreased
Bearings in the bottom bracket - replaces and regreased
And some other work not needed to be mentioned here. So tonight, once I get back home from work, I'll take the bike out and go for a spin. Based on all the work that was done on the bike though, I'm optimistic the noise is now gone.
@2manybikes there is approx 10,000km on the rear cassette and there there was over 5,300km on the chain.
@Baboo Next time I have the cassette off (which will likely be when I replace it next) I'll look for the spacer.
Bearings in the rear hub - replaced and regreased
Bearings in the bottom bracket - replaces and regreased
And some other work not needed to be mentioned here. So tonight, once I get back home from work, I'll take the bike out and go for a spin. Based on all the work that was done on the bike though, I'm optimistic the noise is now gone.
@2manybikes there is approx 10,000km on the rear cassette and there there was over 5,300km on the chain.
@Baboo Next time I have the cassette off (which will likely be when I replace it next) I'll look for the spacer.
#18
Senior Member
No 11 speed cassette needs a spacer. Most Shimano 10-speed cassettes need a spacer for use on most any freehub. All non-11-speed cassettes need a spacer on Mavic road wheels or any 11-speed free hub.
#19
Senior Member
The cassette should not be moving around on the freehub body. If it is, the lockring isn't tight enough. I doubt most people torque to the full 40 N*m.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Shawnee, KS
Posts: 273
Bikes: Bike Friday NWT, Rans Stratus, Cannondale R500, trek 720 multitrack, Rockhopper
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 36 Times
in
22 Posts
Thanks for the clarification I must have read it wrong, not surprising though I’m wrong a lot.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
@trailangel yes, the problem has been found and solved. Went for a ride last night and the bike was quiet. Finally! (although now I've probably cursed myself...)
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
@trailangel yes, the problem has been found and solved. Went for a ride last night and the bike was quiet. Finally! (although now I've probably cursed myself...)