American classic freewheel issue

[brussel]

so I ride the MTN marathon race this morning and 15km in freewheel goes...it had a couple of strange non-engagements earlier in the week.

 

I opened it up and the only thing that seems to be the issue is that the spring that engages the plate does not seem to be engaging well. is this a common issue?

 

I have bend the spring so that it engages with a little more force and it seem to be OK now.

 

but will this be a permanent fix?

[Bike Mob]

I have a strange non engagement this morning too. I tried to re-create the problem but couldn't.

 

I think I am going to open it up just in case though and check it out. I don't want this to happen day one at S2C.

[brussel]

having looked at mine now what seems to be the issue is that the end of the spring on the body is flat, like it has worn down from running across the plate. I think it may originally have been round (as if the spring had been cut by a pair of scissors)

 

I think what happened with mine is that it was JUST engaging, one or two non engagements and the wear suddenly becomes enough to create a major issue. I think I might replace the body.

 

90 minute drive to race + entry + 90 minute drive back makes me more than a little pissed

[PYGA1]

90 minute drive to race + entry + 90 minute drive back makes me more than a little pissed

 

If that pissed you off try Stage 3 Joberg2C 60km in and freewheel goes, also American Classics. Team mate pushed me for 3km into the next waterpoint, mobile mechanic gave me a spare wheel to get to the finish.

[brussel]

bugger that would make more more than pissed

 

what was the issue eventually with it?

[PYGA1]

only getting the wheel back after Sani2C, it got left with the organisers in Scottburgh, have a feeling it was spring issues as well, will check when I have it back and let you know.

[Weight Weenie]

Have AC hubs on my Stans Podium MMX wheels, same hub ?

Any way to check for this issue ? Would suck to have to abandon a race

[brussel]

weight weenie

 

if you take off the body you will see the spring, look to see if has obvious wear, or on the plate behind it that locates the pawls. Then reassemble, on mine when I reassembled if I pushed the freewheel in tightly against the hub it was OK. but if I pulled it even a 10th of a millimeter away it stopped engaging because the spring was not applying enough pressure to rotate the plate.

 

Hope that is clear enough

[Aurora]

had the issue with a set of 420 road wheels last week, same issue, the plate wears out and so does the spring.

[SURFER]

How old is the free body (year)? Could be bad batch Also running AC since 2008, no problem

[Weight Weenie]

THanks Brussel not mechanically inclined so may have the shop take a look

[mtb_Josh]

Haha, weenie take apart a freewheel? You must be joking

[Weight Weenie]

Josh you can feel free to give me flak when you actually pitch for a ride you Nancy !

[mtb_Josh]

haha, true. Sorry man, I meant to come but I'm just so tired I couldn't get out of bed...

[mtb_Josh]

but if u ever need anything done with ur american classics bring them over to my place. They are super easy to work on.

[Oli G]

just make sure the nuts are tight enough so that the axle doesnt move but if its too tight the hub will feel gritty. quite a mission to get right and takes a bit of time but i keep mine nice and service my classics every month(like youre supposed to) and mine has never not engaged. i have noticed that my spring is worn as well but it hasnt affected my hub.