rebuilding a Shimano freehub: super-thin washers
01-20-21, 06:30 AM
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rebuilding a Shimano freehub: super-thin washers
I flushed out the freehub on a Shimano Tiagra FH-4500 and noticed a few fine metal shavings in the solvent. I opened up the freehub and found two paper-thin washers sitting on the pawl unit under the outer cone (ID 0.750", OD 0.900”, Th. 0.003"). One is slightly damaged, the other is cracked and pitted. Pawls and pawl springs are fine, and I can’t see any damage to the bearing races, so I would like to replace the bearing balls and the two washers. The freehub body itself is hard to find in the US.
Are there any sources for these washers aside from a similar freehub? I tried a couple of industrial suppliers but it doesn't appear to be a standard size . . .
Are there any sources for these washers aside from a similar freehub? I tried a couple of industrial suppliers but it doesn't appear to be a standard size . . .
Last edited by breadboard; 01-20-21 at 02:10 PM. Reason: corrected part number
01-20-21, 08:10 AM
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As I understand it, those washers are actually shims used to set the proper bearing clearance and are chosen individually (obviously by an automated machine) for each freehub body during assembly. They are not a standard part and probably unobtainable as replacements.
Finding an exact replacement freehub body may not be easy but most Shimano 8/9/10-speed freehub bodies are interchangeable and a Google search turned up several in the $20 price range.
Finding an exact replacement freehub body may not be easy but most Shimano 8/9/10-speed freehub bodies are interchangeable and a Google search turned up several in the $20 price range.
01-20-21, 09:30 AM
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While you might not be able to buy ready made shims in that exact dimension, I’ve had good luck making my own from a cut up soda can. A bit fiddly but entirely doable.
01-20-21, 12:05 PM
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As I understand it, those washers are actually shims used to set the proper bearing clearance and are chosen individually (obviously by an automated machine) for each freehub body during assembly. They are not a standard part and probably unobtainable as replacements.
Finding an exact replacement freehub body may not be easy but most Shimano 8/9/10-speed freehub bodies are interchangeable and a Google search turned up several in the $20 price range.
Finding an exact replacement freehub body may not be easy but most Shimano 8/9/10-speed freehub bodies are interchangeable and a Google search turned up several in the $20 price range.
Yes, I saw a bunch of identical-looking freehub bodies and wondered if they were interchangeable! According to the spec sheet for the FH-4500, there is one officially interchangeable freehub = FH-M495A. I found one online for about $35. I have an exact match on backorder for about the same price, but who knows when that will come in.
Thank you both for your help and advice!
01-20-21, 12:22 PM
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If the soda can shim is the correct thickness it will be just good luck. Why not buy a small piece of 0.006" shim stock (the total of the two you removed) and try to cut a replacement from it.
01-20-21, 12:50 PM
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According to this (https://si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-FH-4500-2582A.pdf), the freehub body that you need is Y-3CR98070, found in stock here:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...3&category=574
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...3&category=574
01-20-21, 02:05 PM
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I flushed out the freehub on a Shimano Tiagra HB-4500 and noticed a few fine metal shavings in the solvent. I opened up the freehub and found two paper-thin washers sitting on the pawl unit under the outer cone (ID 0.750", OD 0.900”, Th. 0.003"). One is slightly damaged, the other is cracked and pitted. Pawls and pawl springs are fine, and I can’t see any damage to the bearing races, so I would like to replace the bearing balls and the two washers. The freehub body itself is hard to find in the US.
Are there any sources for these washers aside from a similar freehub? I tried a couple of industrial suppliers but it doesn't appear to be a standard size . . .
Are there any sources for these washers aside from a similar freehub? I tried a couple of industrial suppliers but it doesn't appear to be a standard size . . .
You mean FH-4500.
01-20-21, 02:07 PM
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I ordered a new one and will rebuild the other one for the fun of it. Then I'll decide which to install and which to keep for backup . . .
01-20-21, 02:20 PM
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01-20-21, 08:53 PM
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Brass and SS shim stock is easily available from any number of industrial suppliers. Like here Shoulder Screws | McMaster-Carr
Now cutting a well fitting shim/washer at the handful of thou thickness is the next challenge. For really thin brass I use a knife with a fair amount of rocker to the blade and press/rock the blade into the brass sheet to cut it, for the tiny pieces that scissors can't do.
This is but one reason why many don't overhaul their second freewheel or FH body. Andy
Now cutting a well fitting shim/washer at the handful of thou thickness is the next challenge. For really thin brass I use a knife with a fair amount of rocker to the blade and press/rock the blade into the brass sheet to cut it, for the tiny pieces that scissors can't do.
This is but one reason why many don't overhaul their second freewheel or FH body. Andy
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01-27-21, 02:35 PM
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Brass and SS shim stock is easily available from any number of industrial suppliers.
Now cutting a well fitting shim/washer at the handful of thou thickness is the next challenge. For really thin brass I use a knife with a fair amount of rocker to the blade and press/rock the blade into the brass sheet to cut it, for the tiny pieces that scissors can't do.
This is but one reason why many don't overhaul their second freewheel or FH body. Andy
Now cutting a well fitting shim/washer at the handful of thou thickness is the next challenge. For really thin brass I use a knife with a fair amount of rocker to the blade and press/rock the blade into the brass sheet to cut it, for the tiny pieces that scissors can't do.
This is but one reason why many don't overhaul their second freewheel or FH body. Andy
I would like to thank the person who wrote to me privately, offering to send me shims from a decommissioned freehub. Because I have only posted to the forum a few times, I am unable to reply to private messages yet, and I think my attempt to send an email failed too . . .
