Introduction
A newer style freehub body is the ratcheting system that holds the cassette to the wheel hub. It is an improvement over the older style freewheel hub in that you can replace gear sprockets without having to change the whole mechanism. The freehub body should last a long, time as most of the components will be weather sealed, but if the freehub does wear out, it can be easily replaced. This guide assumes you have a quick release rear wheel, but the procedure is the same if your wheel is attached with wheel nuts.
This is a long guide, so you can choose to either watch the entire video above, or follow it in smaller chunks by clicking on the individual steps below.
1. Remove A Bike's Rear Wheel With Quick Release Skewer
Removing a rear wheel is a simple task, although the gear mechanism makes it a slightly more complicated than removing the front wheel.
2. Remove A Bike Wheel's Cassette
The cogs on a bike cassette slide onto a set of splines on the freehub and are held in place by a lock-ring. The cogs usually come in a set, with some bolted together and some loose.
3. Remove A Bike Wheel's Freehub Body
A freehub lasts a long time but can be replaced if it wears out.
4. Mount A Bike Wheel's Freehub Body
A new freehub body can be fitted to an old hub if the original wears out.
5. Mount A Bike Cassette
The freehub body has a set of splines that allow the bike cassette to grip and turn the freehub. The cassette slides on to these and is held in place by a lock-ring.
6. Mount A Bike's Rear Wheel With Quick Release Skewer
Mounting a rear wheel with quick release skewer is simple, although the gears make it a slightly more complicated
7. Check A Bike Freewheel
A freewheel is a ratchet mechanism mounted on the rear hub which allows the chain to drive the wheel forwards via a cog but when the wheels move faster than the chain the cog is not driven round by the wheel. A freewheel allows a rider to rest their legs while the bike is moving forward.
Related Maintenance Tutorials
Remove A Bike Wheel's Freehub Body
Mount A Bike Wheel's Freehub Body
Service A Freehub Body On A Bike Wheel
Replace Bike Wheel Rim Tape
Overhaul A Bike's Freehub Body
Replace A Fixed Sprocket On A Bike Wheel
Replace A Bike Cassette
Replace A Bike Freewheel
Replace A Bike Pedal
Replace A Bike Dropout
Check A Bike Wheel Tyre
Remove A Bike's Rear Wheel With Wheel Nuts