ND Model D noise

[1817cent]

The hub works great until added pressure (going up a hill) happens. Once added pressure occurs, the free wheel stops and to get it working again i must slightly back pedal until i hear a "click" from the hub. Once that happens, all is good until the next hill. The hub doesnt appear to have any side to side wobbles or play. It also spins well and isnt binding anywhere i can see. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Kickstand3]

chain to tight

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

The hub works great until added pressure (going up a hill) happens. Once added pressure occurs, the free wheel stops and to get it working again i must slightly back pedal until i hear a "click" from the hub. Once that happens, all is good until the next hill. The hub doesnt appear to have any side to side wobbles or play. It also spins well and isnt binding anywhere i can see. Any ideas? Thanks!

Just a guess, I think it might be 65 years of wear? The hub taper wears and the taper clutch wears. The clutch pulls through the hub and contacts the shoulder on the driver and it seizes. The click noise your hearing is the clutch unhooking from the hub after the clutch stuck.

I have fixed New Departure "D" hubs with this problem by grinding the end of the clutch (opposite end from the serrations). This allows the clutch to come through the hub shell without locking up against the driver. You will only be taking something like .020" to .030" off.

You can easily diagnose this by pulling it apart, hold the clutch into the hub with your finger, place a large bearing into the hub and twist the driver clockwise. It's best to use a chain wrench to apply some pressure to simulate your "up hill ride" pressure. The clutch should not slip under pressure, and easily disengage from the hub as soon as you release the pressure from the chain wrench.

John

 

[1817cent]

Many thanks John (Schwinn Sales West) for the help. I did as you recommended and also changed the transfer spring while i had it apart and now NO NOISE. I even took it up a hill a bit steeper than previous.

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

Many thanks John (Schwinn Sales West) for the help. I did as you recommended and also changed the transfer spring while i had it apart and now NO NOISE. I even took it up a hill a bit steeper than previous.

Like the saying goes, Rust never sleeps! The wear in the hub drive taper cannot be replaced. If the clutch shortening trick does not work, sometimes you can gain some more ride time by replacing the clutch with one with less wear.

At the end of the day, it's a temporary fix. But it's just a guess, not many of us will worry about it in 60 years.

John