mavic crossmax sl freewheel problem?

[wrinkledpants]

Got an s-works fsr (2002) and I have a weird sound coming from back end of my bike and i can't figure out what it is. It sounds just like the side knobs on the tire are hitting part of the frame. It only makes the sound when i am on a fast (15 mph and up) offroad downhill descent. The sound comes on instantly so it's not like it's quiet and gets louder, but onces it starts it changes pitch with the speed of the tire. If i lift the rear tire off the trail and slam it back down while descending it quits momentarily. When i lock up the brake it goes away. There is plenty of clearance between the tire and frame. The tire is a 2.1. I have v-brakes and there is no way they can touch the tire. Skewer is tight, derailleur isn't hitting anything. i'm in the fucking dark. I'm thinking maybe something in the freewheel? I have mavic crossmax sl (black kind). I can't remember if the sound goes away when i pedal. Has anyone had a problem like this?

[kchri]

I had my hub rebuilt because a very similar sound. The problem I had was the hub for the road version was used instead of the mountain version. Replaced with the mountain version and now it is OK. The LBS said this was supplied by Mavic with the wrong hub installed. I also only noticed the noise at greater speed and when I was not pedaling...

[homerjay]

I could write a book about Crossmax freehub/freewheel issues. You need to take everything apart, clean, and lube it with mineral oil. If you waited too long, you could be fucked. Mavic's website has the info you need, but it's password protected and I think the password is 'dealer'.

[lph]

yup, agree with above.

had the EXACT same problem, sent back to Mavic (they typically won't let shops work on their hubs) and had it rebuilt. Mavic had the wheel for I think around 8 weeks. :mad:

but, year and half later and it is still working OK. (knock on wood)......

[wintermittent]

The likely culprit, as others have alluded, is a gnarly freewheel. Some metal fragments from the freewheel pawls are probably gumming up the works.

Your Crossmaxes use a two-pawl drive, which is really simple and very drag-free -- when both pawls are running clean. Fortunately, servicing is really easy. You or your shop can do it without sending wheels back to Mavic. A thorough inspection and cleaning will likely result in the discovery of one or more little shavings of pawl that can cause that weird rubbing/grindy feeling. Add fresh mineral oil, maybe a new seal kit if it's been a while, and voila.

Service guide can be downloaded here (http://mavic.com/e_upload/pdf/UserGuide_FWB_FTS_L.pdf).

For 2007 Mavic has beefed up their mountain pawls. The new ones use a different hardness of steel and have stronger, captive springs. Seal kit is also stiffer and more betterer.

[kidwoo]

It's about a 15 minute fix with some mineral oil.

[Pedro]

Yeah, same shit happened to me...Like everyone else said easy fix if its not too late.

Its hard to believe a little cleaning and lube can get rid of all of that noise.