Stans 3.30 likely freehub failure

[NHAero]

Posting this in case one of you has been there, done that.
Midway through a MTB ride this morning my FS29er started making horrible grinding sounds. We stopped and did a quick check - thru axle tight, not a suspension noise, etc.

Edit - wheel is off the bike, freehub feels fine, axle is really notchy.
More tonight

[Buzz Killington]

I blew up a couple Stan’s MTB hubs. Not sure which model. The 2nd time Stan’s shipped upgraded internals. I wasn’t the first to have issues. Everything covered under warranty.

[tellyho]

I've definitely heard mixed reviews of Stan's hubs. No personal experience.

[NHAero]

Well, I'm stuck for now because I can’t get the freehub off. The manual shows it sliding off. I'll call Stans Monday.

[NHAero]

Got help from Stans (thanks to a real human who knows their products!). Whacked the NDS axle and the axle plus DS hub bearing and freehub came out, then was able to get freehub off the axle. There is something floating around in the freehub and it may belong there, I don't know yet.

The gent from Stans suggested Gearrush as a source, and I was able to score a NOS hub just like mine for $30. Hoping to scavenge new hub bearings, the axle, and the freehub and graft them into the existing hub shell.

[avalonracing]

My 3.30 got loose for no apparent reason. Never bothered trying to fix it as I had another wheel with a Stan's Neo hub which has been fine.

[NHAero]

NOS hub arrived from Gearrush, and implant of new bearings and freehub appears successful. Hoping the hub shell won't have an immune response and reject the transplant. 1/4 mile test ride yielded no sounds from back there so I hope all is well and I'm back in biz.

[ColonelJLloyd]

Bumping this because I bought a new 3.30 Ti hub from a forum member and immediately purchased a Shimano HG freehub from GearRush to replace the XD (still using 2x11). Freehub is a replacement for a 3.30 HD, but I think that just means it's beefier but interchangeable.

So to remove the freehub I just need to remove the NDS end cap, put something soft-ish like a block of pine against the axle and tap with a mallet?

Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr

[JAGI410]

XD usually has a different drive side end cap compared to HG/MS. Do you have a shorter one that came with the HG?

To remove the end cap for a hub like that, you'll want cone wrenches. Use the flat part of any size one in the slot of the non-drive side axle end, then use the proper (17mm?) size that fits the silver drive side end cap to loosen/remove. Once that cap is off the freehub body should slide off with a good tug.

[ColonelJLloyd]

Ugh. No, I do not have a different end cap. This kit should have everything I need? https://www.ebay.com/itm/29660803735...mis&media=COPY

[JAGI410]

That looks right. Especially when you side by side with this listing (your caps) to see the differences. https://www.ebay.com/itm/304276859343

In your pics you can see how nicely the drive side end cap fits in the HD free hub. If you pull that cap and rest it on the HG one, it likely won't mesh nearly as well.

[ColonelJLloyd]

Thanks. I’ll order that kit and report back.