Multiple responders trying to be helpful have recommended free hub servicing, but appear to have overlooked that the Original Poster is talking about a problematic FRONT WHEEL. Most front wheels, particularly the front wheel on a Cheviot, do not have a free hub.
definitely remove the front wheel and turn the axle in your fingers. If it feels smooth and is not rattling loose, then it's probably not the hub bearings that are making your clicking noise. If the bearings feel rough, or excessively loose, then replace the bearings. You could have worn bearings -AND- some other source of clicking but that's the process. Bill Lindsay El Cerrito, CA On Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 2:46:49 PM UTC-7 J J wrote: > I concur that the pawls and springs might be the likely culprits. Dried- > and gunked-up grease could be inhibiting proper movement of the pawls and > springs, which might actually be in good shape. If they are, a > straightforward degreasing, cleaning, and fresh grease application would > remedy the situation. Thick, sludgy grease in the freehub mechanism can > cause even the “best of the best” hubs to make strange noises, click, and > even fail, including a Phil Wood hub on a wheel I bought second-hand, which > had sat unused for many years. It’s on me that I didn’t inspect the hub > thoroughly enough. Lesson learned. > > Cartridge bearings are easy enough to clean and regrease, as Garth > suggested, and even easier to replace. > > Good luck! > > Jim > > On Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 3:21:37 PM UTC-4 [email protected] > wrote: > >> It may be that Phil bearing service is a thing, but average cartridge >> bearings are a knock-em-out-and-replace situation. It's not a complicated >> thing to do, so it might be worth the cost of a set of bearings to see if >> that solves it. >> >> Will >> >> On Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 2:43:33 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote: >> >>> Garth: a worthy tangent here. >>> >>> Question: What is your technique for *cleaning *and regreasing hub (and >>> bb?) cartridge bearings? >>> >>> Me, I’ve pried up the seals of Phil bearings and used a fine-tipped >>> grease gun to squirt more Pep Boys grease into the bearings (squirt if >>> gross excess of grease, work it in with fingers, wipe up excess, reseal, >>> keep wiping excess for days afterward) but I’ve never “cleaned” mine (no >>> did any seem to need it). I’m curious about a good technique. >>> >>> Thanks. >>> >>> On Sat, Sep 20, 2025 at 12:38 PM Garth <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> While I can't say without actually seeing and hearing the hub, I'd be >>>> highly surprised if it's the bearings as cartridges are incredibly >>>> durable. >>>> I've also never had a cartridge bearing fail, and I've used them since the >>>> early 80's. Grease drying out, yes, on the oldest ones. No need to >>>> replace, >>>> I pop the seals carefully and clean and regrease them. >>>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/22bd4482-80a5-4400-be59-d92d6c3561cbn%40googlegroups.com.
