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What should I use to lubricate a freehub?

Bicycles Asked by James Schek on August 16, 2021

I’ve noticed my freehub has gotten quite a bit louder over the last few months. Several people have recommended that I lubricate the freewheel by tipping the bike on its side and dripping lubricant into the freewheel. However, I’ve gotten differing opinions on what to use for a lubricant.

Is it safe to use a chain lube on the freehub or is there a better lubricant for this purpose?

Edit: In response to one of the answers, I have a freehub (2011 bicycle). Question edited appropriately.

5 Answers

I use chain oil (Chain-L Number 5) and it sucks. have to relube every 4 weeks or so.

to really solve your problem:

option 1. open it and use a proper grease. shimano duraace grease, or, as recomended here (i haven't tried yet but will) slick honey grease.

option 2. buy a new one. if your model is common, buy a replacement for $15. cheaper then a pack of grease! i like my 5sp 13-30 too much to replace it.

option 3. the stubborn (my current option)

  1. remove wheel.
  2. lay it on it's side, gears up
  3. roll some rag behind the biggest cog (oil will come out from there).
  4. OPTIONAL. if you have a spanner tool, loose the top cover. 2 turns should be fine.
  5. warm your bottle of chain oil in the sink under hot water (as hot as you can hold your hand in... if you have a thermometer, should be around 130F, or 55C)
  6. drop the warm oil on the top of the freewheel cover
  7. wait for oil to go in. if you feel like repeat from step 5.
  8. if you loosened your cover, tighten it back.
  9. put back the wheel.

Correct answer by gcb on August 16, 2021

Freewheel (old technology) or freehub (current technology)? People tend to use the terms interchangeably, but they are quite different. A freewheel can be pretty effectively lubed with any medium-viscosity oil. There's not much in there; a couple of ratcheting "pawls" and their pivots.

You don't want anything that will gum up and cause the pawls to stick.

On a freehub, the mechanism is pretty well-sealed and greased from the factory. However, they are pretty easy to disassemble in most cases. They do make a clever tool called the "Freehub Buddy" which lets you inject grease into the thing without disassembly.

However, at 40 bucks it's a bit steep for home use where you would only use it every couple of years or so.

Answered by M. Werner on August 16, 2021

For a real freewheel see (@M. Werner), you want the lightest oil you can find. Never use WD40. Synthetics can work too. Anything heavier, and (especially in cold), the pawl springs can't snap back fast enough to create an ratchet.

As a bike wrench in the time when freewheels and freehubs both existed, I saw too much oil/grease more often than not enough.

If it is loud, just add a bit of light oil and move on.

Answered by mscantland on August 16, 2021

since you commented that it freewheels perfectly, all you need is some chain oil in there as mscantland said.

any oil really (just not wd40!). general purpose oil will work, like 3-1. whatever you have around.

to apply follow my "option 3" from the other answer. it will help with the noise. which is totally 'cosmetic' if it freewheels nicely.

Answered by gcb on August 16, 2021

I have had great results using ordinary engine oil.

Answered by Tim C. on August 16, 2021

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