DOS

Hi and Happy New Year

I have a set of White T11 road hubs (48t ratchet) that are going on six years old. I am getting intermittent “ratcheting” noise like when coasting but while pedaling (or turning cranks with bike in the stand). The hub isn’t slipping at all under load, so it seems like the pawls are engaging correctly, but when pedaling in lower gears (so high cadence and lower speeds) I get intermittent short bursts of noise every few pedal strokes. In higer gears the noise goes away. I have disassembled the freehub body and the pawls and springs seem in good working order, and all the bearings are smooth, so I am at a loss for how to address this. The wheel otherwise seems to be working fine but the noise is annoying. Any recommendation to address this would be appreciated.

Kansey

So it sounds like you did a diagnosis. That no problem with in the pawls nor you don't need an alignment? Once I had a problem on my roadie and it was the wheel dishing. Other time I had a rapid whistle sound on my fixed rim, but only in hazy weather. Show it to your mechanic. Two brains are better than one.

bitpuddle

My next guess would be the freehub, either the freehub bearings or the freehub itself worn, moving a bit on the hub. Happening only in lower gears suggests higher torque is making something flex.

DOS

This is what I am thinking. I amd going to try replacing bearings ($30) before spending $160 on new free hub.

Iride01 

You are letting your hand drag on the wheel while you turn it in the stand aren't you? It's pretty easy to have the wheel outrun the crank when there is no load on the wheel. And if the wheel outruns the crank, then the free hub or freewheel will do it's thing.

DOS

yes, but its happening on tne road, which is a new thing.

Bill Kapaun

You're SURE it's not the BB?

DOS

Yes. I swapped in a different wheel and the problem went away.

Iride01 

You swapped wheels and it went away. I tend to think you just didn't have the DR adjusted properly and it wasn't fully in gear. Or the cassette cog or cogs are worn.

KerryIrons

This would be my first guess as well.

DOS

Update, problem seems to have been result of insufficiently tightened hub adjusting collar and end cap. I had an exchange with White during which I mentioned that the press in axle end cap seemed much looser than it used to be (used to take some force to get the cap out tapped back in; lately it was sliding in and out easily by hand). They mentioned that I should tighten adjusting collar before putting end-cap in,which I was not doing, and not apparent in instructions on their site (see pic).Apparently putting end cap in first prevented set screws from fully engaging the axle. Once I tighten set screws without the end cap, end cap fit in much more snugly (I had to use mallet). Last two rides, no noise.