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Removing rear hub from Boardman 8.6 MTR

blinkava44blinkava44 Posts: 3
in MTB workshop & tech
Hi guys,

Hoping you might be able to point me in the right direction. I believe I've got a problem with my rear hub as the pedals now spin freely. I believe this is because pawls on the freehub have got stuck. I'm trying to remove the freehub body from the bike so I can clean it. Problem is I can't get it off, I've removed the quick release axle and the bearings from the hub. As I understand I need to use a hex wrench to remove the freehub body. However what I have is either too large or too small.

Has anyone got any idea what I'm likely to need, the bike is a Boardman 8.6 MTR full suspension bike, the rear hub uses a quick release axle and not a thru-axel. Full specs are here:
https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/2358-mtr-8.6-2021.html

Thanks

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    reaperactualreaperactual Posts: 1,186
    edited December 2023
    blinkava44 said:

    Hi guys,

    Hoping you might be able to point me in the right direction. I believe I've got a problem with my rear hub as the pedals now spin freely. I believe this is because pawls on the freehub have got stuck. I'm trying to remove the freehub body from the bike so I can clean it. Problem is I can't get it off, I've removed the quick release axle and the bearings from the hub. As I understand I need to use a hex wrench to remove the freehub body. However what I have is either too large or too small.

    Has anyone got any idea what I'm likely to need, the bike is a Boardman 8.6 MTR full suspension bike, the rear hub uses a quick release axle and not a thru-axel. Full specs are here:
    https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/2358-mtr-8.6-2021.html

    Thanks

    I've heard of various sizes of hex key's required ranging from 10 to maybe 15mm.

    The last time I did this it turned out to be 12mm.

    Try using two hex keys side by side, it'll be tight but you might be able to undo it, if not at least you'll know what size you need.
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    blinkava44blinkava44 Posts: 3
    I have 10mm and 15mm, former is too small and the latter is too big. Can I ask what you used 12mm on, was it a mountain bike?
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    veronese68veronese68 Posts: 26,956 Lives Here
    I vaguely recall using an 11mm on a mate's Boardman MTB, try an 5 & 6mm together to gauge the size, sometimes you can undo them that way.
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    reaperactualreaperactual Posts: 1,186
    edited December 2023
    .
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    blinkava44blinkava44 Posts: 3
    veronese68 said:

    I vaguely recall using an 11mm on a mate's Boardman MTB, try an 5 & 6mm together to gauge the size, sometimes you can undo them that way.

    I had no idea what you meant at first but just googled it, I will give it a try as I think I have 5 and 6.
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    steve_sordysteve_sordy Posts: 2,440
    I am an apprentice trained mechanical engineer and I have a large range of tools at my disposal. I confess to being shocked when someone suggested using two small Allen keys in place of a larger one! OK to establish what size you need, but to apply force with them!! I really thought the person was having a laugh or being a bit mischievous at least.

    Don't do it! You risk injury to yourself and damage to your bike. :'(

    The only way I can see it working is if the fastening is not tight, at all. In other words, it is ready for removal and just needs a small amount of torque to extract it.
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    reaperactualreaperactual Posts: 1,186
    steve_sordy said:

    I am an apprentice trained mechanical engineer and I have a large range of tools at my disposal. I confess to being shocked when someone suggested using two small Allen keys in place of a larger one! OK to establish what size you need, but to apply force with them!! I really thought the person was having a laugh or being a bit mischievous at least.

    Don't do it! You risk injury to yourself and damage to your bike. :'(

    The only way I can see it working is if the fastening is not tight, at all. In other words, it is ready for removal and just needs a small amount of torque to extract it.

    No, I was being serious.

    I'm not an engineer and didn't have a large array of tools at my disposal at the time.

    I gave it a whirl, it didn't work (too tight) so bought the correct size Allen key but there were no injuries or bike damage inflicted when I tried.😎👍

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