Loose cassette/freebody

[Newbie321]

 

TL:DR: Cassette has play from left to right, the entire cassette not just a cog, tightening the "nut" fixed the issue. How do I prevent this from happening again tighten it enough?

Bikes a year old, took it in for service and withing a couple of rides the cassette had play in it, it would move from left to right and the thru-axle would come loose and not fit all the way through the wheel, the drop out still had threads left not used by the thru-axle. Took it back and they fixed it. This was a couple of months ago, but due to it being winter I used the bike on a direct drive indoor trainer and the wheel it self was only used about 5 times according to garmin.

Today when I put the wheel back onto the bike for a ride the thru-axle wouldn't go all the way through, took the wheel of and the cassette had play in it again, I tightened the "nut" by hand and the play went away and the thru-axle seated correctly. Went for a ride, half way through had to re-tighten the thru-axle axle again but when I got home it was fine, is this normal or should I take the wheel back to get serviced, if so what is wrong and what should I tell them? Does this happen because of taking the wheel on and off? How do I prevent it from happening all the time?

[117]

Should be tightened to 40nm.  By hand won't help 

 

[splat]

My first reaction would be to check if there is a washer behind the cassette.
But that wouldn't make the problem come and go.

[dasilvarsa]

18 minutes ago, 117 said:

Should be tightened to 40nm.  By hand won't help 

 

Hand Tight +7 Clicks with the Proper Tool .

[HowardSteele]

If the entire cassete /cluster is moving its probably the Freewheel body that's loose depending on the hub they come in various configuration...sometimes it has a internal locknut and sometimes an external   setups it could also meen the bearings in the freehub need to be replaced 

[Newbie321]

Thanks for the input so far, it's a Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, CenterLock disc, Shimano 11-speed freehub, 142x12 mm thru axle.

This only occurred after a service and took it back when it happened the first time and they fixed it again, that being said after the service if it wasn't for the safety clip on my left crank I would have lost those bolts due to the bolts being loose as well

[Steady Spin]

Sounds like the axle on the hub isn’t “locked” in place after tightening. 

[Newbie321]

1 hour ago, Steady Spin said:

Sounds like the axle on the hub isn’t “locked” in place after tightening. 

Broken?

I fiddled some more, got the entire freehub and cassette of as one piece, cleaned up the axle thread, it was packed with grease and a piece of metal shaving, looking like a sliver of a thread was in there, put the freebody back and tried to tighten the nut, it does tighten but then just starts spinning? Is this normal or does this mean the axles/nut is stripped?

[Newbie321]

Actually found a video and reddit thread with the same wheel and problem. The "fix" they did in the shop was never going to work.

If anyone is interested:

 

[porqui]

The thread was stripped with the initial service.

If the thread is stripped the part has to be replaced.

I suspect the thread did not engage and was then forced on with the spanner.

[Newbie321]

53 minutes ago, porqui said:

The thread was stripped with the initial service.

If the thread is stripped the part has to be replaced.

I suspect the thread did not engage and was then forced on with the spanner.

Not quite there yet, from the above video I can't get enough leverage on the non-drive side part of the axle to stop the axle rotating with the nut. I need a cassette tool to remove the disc brake. That's not to say it's still not stripped further down though. Guess we will find out.

[ChrisF]

8 minutes ago, Newbie321 said:

Not quite there yet, from the above video I can't get enough leverage on the non-drive side part of the axle to stop the axle rotating with the nut. I need a cassette tool to remove the disc brake. That's not to say it's still not stripped further down though. Guess we will find out.

 

Where are you ?

[Newbie321]

31 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

Where are you ?

Cape Town, but I'm taking the wheel back to the shop so they can sort it out. But now at least I have enough information to help them resolve the issue, if it is stripped then it's also easier to get them to replace it.

[droo]

Sounds like the end cap hasn't been properly tightened onto the axle. They quite often work loose when they're threaded on, so do need to be checked occasionally. If you ride it like that it's likely you'll break the axle.

Sometimes there's a hex socket in the axle, usually a 12mm, sometimes a slot, and sometimes a hole, to help secure the axle while tightening the end cap. The proper torque and some blue Loctite will help it stay put, but it's something to check whenever you remove the wheel or wash the bike.

Also, if the mechanic didn't know to check this when you brought it in the second time I'd suggest you have a word with the shop owner or workshop manager. It's pretty basic stuff for someone who does this for a living.

[ChrisF]

25 minutes ago, droo said:

Sounds like the end cap hasn't been properly tightened onto the axle. They quite often work loose when they're threaded on, so do need to be checked occasionally. If you ride it like that it's likely you'll break the axle.

Sometimes there's a hex socket in the axle, usually a 12mm, sometimes a slot, and sometimes a hole, to help secure the axle while tightening the end cap. The proper torque and some blue Loctite will help it stay put, but it's something to check whenever you remove the wheel or wash the bike.

Also, if the mechanic didn't know to check this when you brought it in the second time I'd suggest you have a word with the shop owner or workshop manager. It's pretty basic stuff for someone who does this for a living.

 

I had this on my one bike where that cap would undo itself a bit .... Threw out the setup just enough for the rear brake to rub ever so slightly.

 

Became a habit to turn it back when the wheel was off.  Still check it on any bike when the wheel is taken off. 

 

Actually when the wheel comes off the bike:

- feel the bearing

- check that cap

- check the spokes

- after getting caught out recently, I now have a quick glance at the brake pads as well

 

It takes less than 1 minutes, and it lets you know if your bikes needs some further attention.