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2 Brand New Chris King Rear Hubs having serious problems (Loud cranking and clanking sounds)

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#101 ·
So a good chat. After my facepalm moment after realised I have a good mate in the trade who has 2 full xtr M/S group sets running pair of King/enve wheels!
Hey buddy, any issues with creaking?
Yeah, have you got the plastic spacer behind your cassette that isn’t always shipped with hubs or microspline cassettes?
😳
Went through my workshop tub of stuff and cut up probably a Sram BB spacer or similar - thin as you can, has to be plastic.
A thread on it here:
www.mtbr.com

12 speed XTR Cassette spacer

I just got my 12 speed drive train kit. Fortunately SHIMANO was able to include a simple hieroglyphic stating I need a spacer. Unfortunately said spacer was not included in the box. Does anyone have any idea where I can get this 10 cent part to enable my $600 drive train? Thanks Martin...
www.mtbr.com www.mtbr.com
Y’know considering all that has been chatted about on here, maybe check that you have this before doing anything else. Only change I made yesterday was removing cassette and adding a spacer and it has stopped probably 90% ocreaks. I need to order the correct one as mine is currently something random with a little slit cut in it to make it fit

“but Ben, the problem goes away when I grease my bearings… for a bit”
- yeah, but you’ve also removed your cassette to do so, so that has been re seated too. There is a small chance that this will solve your issue, try it!

i did 20 miles of sandy, muddy UK trails yesterday eve and it’s almost fully solved it. Full judgement reserved for after 200 miles of no maintenance on it 🙏
 
#102 ·
thebenskiii said:
So a good chat. After my facepalm moment after realised I have a good mate in the trade who has 2 full xtr M/S group sets running pair of King/enve wheels!
Hey buddy, any issues with creaking?
Yeah, have you got the plastic spacer behind your cassette that isn’t always shipped with hubs or microspline cassettes?
[emoji15]
Went through my workshop tub of stuff and cut up probably a Sram BB spacer or similar - thin as you can, has to be plastic.
A thread on it here:
www.mtbr.com

12 speed XTR Cassette spacer

I just got my 12 speed drive train kit. Fortunately SHIMANO was able to include a simple hieroglyphic stating I need a spacer. Unfortunately said spacer was not included in the box. Does anyone have any idea where I can get this 10 cent part to enable my $600 drive train? Thanks Martin...
www.mtbr.com www.mtbr.com
Y’know considering all that has been chatted about on here, maybe check that you have this before doing anything else. Only change I made yesterday was removing cassette and adding a spacer and it has stopped probably 90% ocreaks. I need to order the correct one as mine is currently something random with a little slit cut in it to make it fit

“but Ben, the problem goes away when I grease my bearings… for a bit”
- yeah, but you’ve also removed your cassette to do so, so that has been re seated too. There is a small chance that this will solve your issue, try it!

i did 20 miles of sandy, muddy UK trails yesterday eve and it’s almost fully solved it. Full judgement reserved for after 200 miles of no maintenance on it [emoji120]
Click to expand...
Definitely something to check/consider if running Microspline 9100 XTR. The new 9101 XTR cassette addresses this issue and I guess XT/SLX the spacer could have come off.

In my case, I swapped cassettes (XTR vs. XT) I’ll have to double check, but the noise always followed the CK hub (this was prior to me opening up the axle).

I have received confirmation on the repair kit:
New Drive shell, both drive shell bearings, plus the large hub shell bearing.

The large drive shell bearing requires the universal tool.
No specifics on what has changed or if this was simply a bad (not to print) batch of components or what.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#103 ·
thebenskiii said:
So a good chat. After my facepalm moment after realised I have a good mate in the trade who has 2 full xtr M/S group sets running pair of King/enve wheels!
Hey buddy, any issues with creaking?
Yeah, have you got the plastic spacer behind your cassette that isn’t always shipped with hubs or microspline cassettes?
😳
Went through my workshop tub of stuff and cut up probably a Sram BB spacer or similar - thin as you can, has to be plastic.
A thread on it here:
www.mtbr.com

12 speed XTR Cassette spacer

I just got my 12 speed drive train kit. Fortunately SHIMANO was able to include a simple hieroglyphic stating I need a spacer. Unfortunately said spacer was not included in the box. Does anyone have any idea where I can get this 10 cent part to enable my $600 drive train? Thanks Martin...
www.mtbr.com www.mtbr.com
Y’know considering all that has been chatted about on here, maybe check that you have this before doing anything else. Only change I made yesterday was removing cassette and adding a spacer and it has stopped probably 90% ocreaks. I need to order the correct one as mine is currently something random with a little slit cut in it to make it fit

“but Ben, the problem goes away when I grease my bearings… for a bit”
- yeah, but you’ve also removed your cassette to do so, so that has been re seated too. There is a small chance that this will solve your issue, try it!

i did 20 miles of sandy, muddy UK trails yesterday eve and it’s almost fully solved it. Full judgement reserved for after 200 miles of no maintenance on it 🙏
Click to expand...
FWIW I absolutely had this spacer on my XT cassette that I was using on my CK rear hub.
 
#105 ·
Ok, so I'm getting a clunk when pedaling which sounds exactly like the OP. I thought for sure cranks or bb so I have torn that down and serviced everything 2x and still getting the clunk sound. Just took the cassette off and took a look inside the CK hub. Everything looks good, I cleaned it up and re-lubed and will see. Hub has about 1,200 miles on it so far. So what's the consensus on the problem causing the clunk?
 
#106 ·
55 miles since it was sent off for rebuild on warranty. no noise so far!!! I installed a fresh xtr m/s plastic ring spacer on back of cassette too.
EJ, probably not the same issue as everyone with this problem had it happen basically immediately. Maybe have a chat with the dealer you bought it from though?
 
#107 ·
EJ_92606 said:
Ok, so I'm getting a clunk when pedaling which sounds exactly like the OP. I thought for sure cranks or bb so I have torn that down and serviced everything 2x and still getting the clunk sound. Just took the cassette off and took a look inside the CK hub. Everything looks good, I cleaned it up and re-lubed and will see. Hub has about 1,200 miles on it so far. So what's the consensus on the problem causing the clunk?
Click to expand...
Not sure exactly…but if you are experiencing the issue contact CK and evaluate your options.

There is a service kit which includes (3) new bearings, drive shell, and bearing retainer. However, it requires specific bearing press to remove/install one of the large hub shell bearings.

A bit premature, as I only have ~10mi on rebuilt hubs with no sign of creaking thus far.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#108 ·
thebenskiii said:
55 miles since it was sent off for rebuild on warranty. no noise so far!!! I installed a fresh xtr m/s plastic ring spacer on back of cassette too.
EJ, probably not the same issue as everyone with this problem had it happen basically immediately. Maybe have a chat with the dealer you bought it from though?
Click to expand...
Hmm, interesting. I had terrible clanking when it was new, even in the workstand just turning the pedals. Since I bought it online, I took it to a friend who has had CK hubs for 20 years and does the full service, so he knows them. I thought for sure the freehub wasn't properly seated or something. So he looked at it and said he thinks everything is fine and it stopped making the noise after that, so I shrugged it off. Just rode it again today and it's quiet now.
 
#109 ·
I now have about ~20miles on rebuilt hubs with service kit. Still early, but no signs of creaking. I did not notice anything different with the replacement bearings, maybe a different tolerance, unsure. However, there was some notable differences with the microspline drive shell. Nothing major, but subtle machining differences with radii and lengths. The two were definitely not identical. If the creak comes back, I’ll be sure to post again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#110 ·
junior77 said:
I now have about ~20miles on rebuilt hubs with service kit. Still early, but no signs of creaking. I did not notice anything different with the replacement bearings, maybe a different tolerance, unsure. However, there was some notable differences with the microspline drive shell. Nothing major, but subtle machining differences with radii and lengths. The two were definitely not identical. If the creak comes back, I’ll be sure to post again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Interesting, you reckon you can work out a way for me to know if they replaced mine or not, notes were V vague…
im about 150 miles in since it went back to UK distrib workshop and all seems good, just gave it 62 miles today and not a noise from it… apart from bzzzzzz
 
#111 · (Edited)
I think my Chris King hub clanking is back. I recorded a video. Sorry for the bouncing video image, I was trying to hold my phone near the rear hub while climbing a hill to get the best audio. I think I'll install my old wheel just to make sure before I contact CK.
 
#112 ·
thebenskiii said:
Interesting, you reckon you can work out a way for me to know if they replaced mine or not, notes were V vague…
im about 150 miles in since it went back to UK distrib workshop and all seems good, just gave it 62 miles today and not a noise from it… apart from bzzzzzz
Click to expand...
The bearings and retaining cone, no way to tell from visually looking. The microspline dive shell is pretty subtle differences. I’d have to check to see if I took a photograph (I don’t think I did). Whether or not that is the fix is difficult for me to say or a combination of factors.

The service kit has p/n PHB852B

I recall there being additional clearance between the spline and larger abutting shoulder diameter. Plus many of the sharp corners now had curved radii.


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#114 ·
Just to give an update on my end.

When my park tool free hub arrived I tried removing the driveshell by hand and I couldn't. Good thing I have another set that I am currently using for 2-3months now. I swapped the driveshells and was able to remove the driveshell that needs repair. The swap was getting the driveshells back to their shells originally.

Got the driveshell removed and greased them and put it back. No noise so far and will be using it on my bike and hopefully will have no issue anymore.
 
#115 ·
Man, that is messed up.

I have 3 sets of CK ISO hubs (one, converted to XD and the other two are 9-speed) and a couple of SS rear hubs that have been bombproof (most of them for more than a decade).

I also have similar vintage DT Swiss 240's.

NFW I'll go to microspline or DT EXP :/

Sent from my KB2005 using Tapatalk
 
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#116 ·
edubfromktown said:
Man, that is messed up.

I have 3 sets of CK ISO hubs (one, converted to XD and the other two are 9-speed) and a couple of SS rear hubs that have been bombproof (most of them for more than a decade).

I also have similar vintage DT Swiss 240's.

NFW I'll go to microspline or DT EXP :/

Sent from my KB2005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Older model CK do indeed seem to be bulletproof. Unfortunately when they went to centerlock they slightly redesigned the internals, ie. no roller bearings, and something is not right. It's not a Microspline issue although Microspline came along at about the same time so it's understandable to think it is related to that. Hopefully the fix brings our hubs back to bulletproof status. FYI DT 240 is the only hub that has not let me down.
 
#117 ·
EJ_92606 said:
Older model CK do indeed seem to be bulletproof. Unfortunately when they went to centerlock they slightly redesigned the internals, ie. no roller bearings, and something is not right. It's not a Microspline issue although Microspline came along at about the same time so it's understandable to think it is related to that. Hopefully the fix brings our hubs back to bulletproof status. FYI DT 240 is the only hub that has not let me down.
Click to expand...
240s are nice, the star ratchet is a simplified version of the old CK, and therefore lighter, but for high-torque applications, tandems, SS, etc., the fact that CK locks in "2 dimensions" is a huge difference and was the biggest reason to get them IMO.
 
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#118 ·
EJ_92606 said:
Older model CK do indeed seem to be bulletproof. Unfortunately when they went to centerlock they slightly redesigned the internals, ie. no roller bearings, and something is not right.
Click to expand...
I am really curious why they went to centerlock only on their hubs. I hope they don't feel like they are getting too big to still offer variety, or if Shimano bent them over a barrel to get microspline and they conceded by going centerlock only?
 
#119 ·
jonshonda said:
I am really curious why they went to centerlock only on their hubs. I hope they don't feel like they are getting too big to still offer variety, or if Shimano bent them over a barrel to get microspline and they conceded by going centerlock only?
Click to expand...
Probably just to streamline the production lineup. Probably costs less to machine the CL than having to drill/tap the 6 holes.
 
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