Play between the sprockets in a MTB cassette. A problem?

[knievel]

The other day I noticed some play between the sprockets in my MTB cassette.

 

Is the normal? Or do I need to replace or fix something?

 

[Dirkitech]

I've never seen cassette cogs move freely like that and it doesn't look right in the least  

Hopefully someone can confirm with facts and literature!

Not sure if it is relevant at all but mentioning your cassette type may lead to more insightful answers Op.

[BaGearA]

The other day I noticed some play between the sprockets in my MTB cassette.

 

Is the normal? Or do I need to replace or fix something?

 

AFAIK the upper few sprockets are rivitted together .... so ya I recon that cassette is done 

 

See if you can get it to A reputable mech and ask him what he/she recons

 

....It is possible that your cassette may just have all the cogs loose , in which case the lock probably just needs A but of tightning.

[Grease_Monkey]

Can't say with 100% certainty, but to me it looks like the cassette is not on propperly, probably the lockring that is not torqued tightly. Will be a 2min job to fix if you have a cassette lockring tool (your lbs will have one). But don't ride like that, can only imagine it will damage the cassette and chain.

[bikebloke]

lockring is loose - or someone took it off and put it back wrong

[Dirkitech]

Can't say with 100% certainty, but to me it looks like the cassette is not on propperly, probably the lockring that is not torqued tightly. Will be a 2min job to fix if you have a cassette lockring tool (your lbs will have one). But don't ride like that, can only imagine it will damage the cassette and chain.

The big cog moves independently though, wouldn't that maybe mean the hub "teeth" are maybe stripped?

 

I agree about the chain damage- the loose cogs could cause the chain to slack and rip tight, wearing the chain faster and chipping away at cassette teeth.

[100Tours]

not on properly. It could be that the lockring is loose/crossthreaded or perhaps you are missing a spacer. 10s cassette needs a spacer on the inside of the biggest (i.e. inside) sprocket on most freehubs.

 

there should be no play in those rings.

 

Something like this - don't pay for it though. your lbs should have one lying around.

 

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cassettes/shimano-duraace-cs7900-sprocket-spacer-235mm-1z8-0510/

[Grease_Monkey]

The big cog moves independently though, wouldn't that maybe mean the hub "teeth" are maybe stripped?

 

Very possibly - or the freehub splines are chewed up.

[knievel]

Thanks for the advice. The freehub was replaced recently so I hope thats not the issue. They may well have put it together poorly when doing that. Lets hope its as simple as that.

 

JUST FYI: The big one is a Hope cog and the rest are sram.

[DieselnDust]

The freehub splines are chewed up because that cassette uses individual sprockets I.e. The sprockets are not mounted to a carrier. Seen this plenty of times. You need a new freehub

[porqui]

Take lockring off - remove cassette - clean properly - replace cassette - fit lockring and tighten but really tight (40nm). If it is still loose there may be a spacer missing - see person who fitted new freehub.

[Wannabe]

Post removed.

[SuperDooperSnooper]

Happened to me recently after fitting a new cassette. Couldn't for a little while figure out what was causing the knocking noise when I freewheeled in between pedal strokes.

Noticed the individual cogs to be loose despite the lockring being properly tightened. I added another small spacer onto the freehub and Voila! Problem sorted.

FWIW I placed the spacer first and then the cassette to keep the alignment with the single chainring up front.

Hope that this is your problem as it is easily fixed.

[Vetplant]

Once had a case similar to this where the actual axle that the bearings run on had sheared completely. Axle was very scarce so had a machine shop machine one from scratch for about R300, which is a bargain if you think of what a bike shop would have asked.

 

Let's hope yours is just a spacer that went missing.

[Breezer]

Happened to me recently after fitting a new cassette. Couldn't for a little while figure out what was causing the knocking noise when I freewheeled in between pedal strokes.

Noticed the individual cogs to be loose despite the lockring being properly tightened. I added another small spacer onto the freehub and Voila! Problem sorted.

FWIW I placed the spacer first and then the cassette to keep the alignment with the single chainring up front.

Hope that this is your problem as it is easily fixed.

This is your problem.

[David Marshall]

Another thing to check is that you have the right lockring for the cassette.  Make sure that the ring is for the 11t or 12t cassette, whichever you have.