Is it possible to wear out the cassette lockring threads?

Question

I have decided to do a better job of cleaning cassettes when they are dirty. Is it possible to wear out the lockring threads on the freehub with repeated use? This would be monthly on the commuter/gravel bike (biweekly in the winter), and biweekly (after every ride or two, the cassette gets dirty) on the MTB.
What about the lockring itself? Has anyone ever stripped the threads or the splines with repeated use? What about the little serrations on the backside? Removing a stripped, properly torqued lockring does not sound like a fun repair job.

abdnChap · Accepted Answer

Like any bolt, it  can wear down over time, even if it's being installed and removed properly.
But, the biggest issue will be with incorrect installation or removal. Main issues that will damage the lockring are:

Not inserting the tool into the lockring correctly
Using a tool which is roundered at the teeth
The threads are fine, cross-threading when installing
Over tightening - check whether the lockring is alu, if it is, it'll be weaker than a steel one
Snapping the thin washer - this washer helps protect the teeth on the smallest ring too

From proper removal and installation, it's unlikely that you will wear the lockring quicker than you wear the cassette itself. There are plenty of people who do this monthly in the summer and every 1 or 2 weeks in the winter on their bikes with an ultrasonic cleaner.
The biggest challange is making sure you don't make a mistake and damage the ring during remomal or installation. So invest in a good lockring tool and always start it by hand to avoid cross threading.

thelawnet · Answer

It depends on the lockring and freehub body material; if you are looking at Shimano they specify. Aluminium lockrings are 5g lighter or something, and freehub bodies rather more. People have certainly stripped the aluminium lockring threads.
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/1169105-stripped-lockring-threads-deore-xt-hub.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/666778-stripped-splines-shimano-6700-cassette-lockring.html
If you are on SLX/105 or possibly XT/Ultegra you'l likely find aluminium, anything lower is steel. Steel will be more durable. When I've installed an SLX cassette to replace a Deore one, I was left with a choice of which lockring to (re-)use (steel or aluminium).

Is it possible to wear out the cassette lockring threads?

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