Bontrager freewheel.

[Peaky Rider]

I thought I'd take the freewheel off my Bontrager hub, just to see what was in there. I expected it to just pull off, as DTSwiss ones do, but it is proving rather stubborn and I am not sure whether it is that simple.
Can anyone advise just how you get these freehubs off?

 

[Rail97Rider]

IIt's tight. Keep pulling. It'll come straight off. Just make sure you're taking the end caps off first.

 

[slomtbr]

I had to use a tool similar to a Hub Genie to remove the end cap.

 

[Peaky Rider]

It's the end caps I'm struggling with, but I didn't want to use too much force if I shouldn't be doing so.

Thanks guys.

 

[Rail97Rider]

It's the end caps I'm struggling with, but I didn't want to use too much force if I shouldn't be doing so.

Thanks guys.

They're really tight the first time off. After that they just pop off.

 

[slomtbr]

They're really tight the first time off. After that they just pop off.

My drive side end cap still requires a tool to remove it. I may ditch the o-ring next time it's off.

 

[Hamina]

What model do you have? Any pics?

Some have a nut on other side and you have to use long socket to remove it first. The actual freehub might need special tool if you want to open it and see couple of rusty bearings.

 

[Peaky Rider]

What model do you have? Any pics?

Some have a nut on other side and you have to use long socket to remove it first. The actual freehub might need special tool if you want to open it and see couple of rusty bearings.

It's on a 2021 Rail 7 so it should be the latest design.
There are no flats or anything that remotely resembles a nut.
I'm not yet concerned about rusty bearings, although they will need changing sooner or later. I want to find out if it is a pawl or a star ratchet system as if it's a pawl system I'll be ditching it before it ditches me.

 

[Aikone]

I’m on Kovee Pro and mine just pull straight off, I use a soft jawed mole grip which seems to work OK, a guy I ride with has Line Comp 30 and they were the same, last time we serviced his rear wheel we did the Microspline freehub bearings which took a bit of figuring out as all 3 bearings come out at the spoke end, the last bearing (nearest the frame) has a circlip holding it in which was easy once we had a pair of long nose circlip pliers.

 

[slomtbr]

It's on a 2021 Rail 7 so it should be the latest design.
There are no flats or anything that remotely resembles a nut.
I'm not yet concerned about rusty bearings, although they will need changing sooner or later. I want to find out if it is a pawl or a star ratchet system as if it's a pawl system I'll be ditching it before it ditches me.

The Rapid Drive system uses pawls - 3 for 54, 6 for 108 points of engagement.

 

[Peaky Rider]

The Rapid Drive system uses pawls - 3 for 54, 6 for 108 points of engagement.

That adds up thanks, the words 'rapid Drive 54' are printed on the hub but that means only three pawls
I know I can upgrade to six pawls if need be, but I have some Mavics, when the appropriate hub turns up..

 

[Doug Stampfer]

Check out this thread

Help, can't remove micro spline freehub from Rail 7 line comp 30 wheels

Hi guys First time trying to remove the micro spline freehub from my rail 7 line comp 30 wheels. The end cap is on as is the freehub. From what I have seen the free hub should pull straight off with the end cap (but I could be wrong) , but both are on tight! What's the proces to get these off...

www.emtbforums.com

Mine was a bastard to get off. I ended up hitting it with a big screwdriver but make sure you have someone catching it or put a bucket underneath as the awls & springs fly out when it hits the floor

 

[coregrind]

If you're looking to just service the pawls & springs, I suggest leaving the cassette on the freehub body. The largest cog provides a much better finger hold than the bare freehub body.

 

[Paul Mac]

While we're talking about the Bontrager comp 30 wheels. I'm just about to change the rear wheel bearings.
I've removed the free hub body and have tried to drive out the axle from the drive side towards the non drive side but it's not budging, anything I'm missing?

 

[coregrind]

I've removed the free hub body and have tried to drive out the axle from the drive side towards the non drive side but it's not budging, anything I'm missing?

Is it possible the non-drive side endcap (or bearing) is getting hung up on the brake rotor?

 

[Paul Mac]

Is it possible the non-drive side endcap (or bearing) is getting hung up on the brake rotor?

A possibility, I'll remove the disc and try again tomorrow

 

[folmonty]

Put some penetrating oil on it and let it sit overnight - pops right off. I use Kano Kroil but there's many out there.

 

[Paul Mac]

Put some penetrating oil on it and let it sit overnight - pops right off. I use Kano Kroil but there's many out there.

That's exactly what I did, came off