DT Swiss 240 Rear Hub Creak---Resolved

[Hindmost]

I am pretty sure it's the hub at creaks under load on the innermost three cassette cogs. The hub is Campagnolo, QR, has an end cap to convert to 135 mm, and is running an IRD 11-32.

It appears the left-hand end cap, the inner flange, may be rubbing the inside of the hub.

Any insight is appreciated and I am prepared to hear that many things can cause creaking noises.

Ring Nut Removal Tool: there is a discount price tool on eBay that a reviewer says doesn't fit. Should I buy the $ DT Swiss tool?

[peanutgallery]

Pop the axle caps off and grease them, they can get gritty and dry and start to make noise. While there make sure the bearings are not too crunchy. If so, replace

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Hindmost

I am pretty sure it's the hub at creaks under load on the innermost three cassette cogs. The hub is Campagnolo, QR, has an end cap to convert to 135 mm, and is running an IRD 11-32.

It appears the left-hand end cap, the inner flange, may be rubbing the inside of the hub.

Any insight is appreciated and I am prepared to hear that many things can cause creaking noises.

Like right above, take apart, grease, oil ratchet.

[Dan Le foot]

Same thing happened to me. Tightening the QR helped for a while. But when I took the hub apart it was nasty. A good cleaning and lube solves the problem. Love my 240s. (Have em on 3 bikes) The only hub I feel confident about servicing myself.

[FriarQuade]

There's a lot of things in the hub area that could cause that problem, loose cassette, loose cassette rivets, loose QR, dirty hub. I wouldn't rule any of them out as you're trying to solve this problem.

[Hindmost]

Originally Posted by FriarQuade

There's a lot of things in the hub area that could cause that problem, loose cassette, loose cassette rivets, loose QR, dirty hub. I wouldn't rule any of them out as you're trying to solve this problem.

Thanks for the encouragement. By the way, your cassette tool that I've been using for the last few years is a marvel! Such a simple thing makes cassette removal and install pretty darn convenient. Almost as prized as my Campagnolo peanut butter wrench.

[classtimesailer]

Before the flanges broke off on both my 240s, I had to put a dab of grease periodically on the gear thingy inside the rear hub to keep it quiet. Mine stayed clean but there is something about that ratchet thing that needs regular greasing.

[Hindmost]

There is a discount price Ring Nut Removal Tool on eBay that a reviewer says doesn't fit. Should I buy the pricier DT Swiss tool?

[DRietz]

Originally Posted by Hindmost

There is a discount price Ring Nut Removal Tool on eBay that a reviewer says doesn't fit. Should I buy the pricier DT Swiss tool?

You shouldn’t need to remove the ring nut unless it is somehow broken or if the drive side bearing feels bad. But, that being said, I’d personally opt for the factory tool.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Hindmost

There is a discount price Ring Nut Removal Tool on eBay that a reviewer says doesn't fit. Should I buy the pricier DT Swiss tool?

I would but I’ve never seen a toothed ring nut cause creaking. Pretty easy to remove on a built wheel..tool into vice.

[Hindmost]

Originally Posted by DRietz

You shouldn’t need to remove the ring nut unless it is somehow broken or if the drive side bearing feels bad. But, that being said, I’d personally opt for the factory tool.

The bearings feel okay but I wanted to be able to replace them. I like to be prepared with tools but this time the $'s make me pause

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Hindmost

The bearings feel okay but I wanted to be able to replace them. I like to be prepared with tools but this time the $'s make me pause

I understand..I have some very expensive tools I use only sparingly these days(like a Campag tool kit) but buying nice tools, when you DO need them, is keen.

[Hindmost]

It was the IRD cassette causing the noise. Tried a Campy cassette--no noise. The four inner cogs on the IRD cassette are on two carriers. The carriers fit kind of large on the DT cassette body. I was able to fit Coke can shims on two opposing sides of the cassette body, on top of the lobes and under the carriers. No noise!

Something very appealing about climbing up a quiet trail by yourself and not listening to your drivetrain creak every revolution.

[BikeNY]

Glad you figured it out! And thanks for coming back with the root cause, may help somebody else out down the road.