How to stop a CREAKY rear hub (Shimano 12-speed Micro Spline overhaul) | Syd Fixes Bikes

If you have a Shimano 12-speed micro spline hub, especially one from a couple years ago, you've probably dealt with creaking. Fortunately the fix is fast and easy!
What you'll need:
Shimano Premium Grease (also called Shimano Dura Ace Grease): bit.ly/3yPOsDP
Snap ring pliers: bit.ly/3DQUPum
or Pokey tool (officially called the Feedback Sports pick): bit.ly/2WYWblR
Pliers: bit.ly/2YHRnSZ
Chain whip: bit.ly/3yU1yA7
Cassette wrench: bit.ly/3BNdYLO
Cleaning cloth: amzn.to/3zZbCcn
Other things in the shed:
Our toolkit: bit.ly/337LfDf
Allen keys: bit.ly/2HpDW15
Work stand: bit.ly/3mTXStc
Tool pegboard: amzn.to/3mTYlLY
Syd's apron: amzn.to/345MbHz
Paint pens: amzn.to/2TpCL4u
00:00 Intro
00:25 What you'll need
00:41 Why should you do this?
01:56 How to fix a creaky hub
03:54 Removing the end cap
04:35 Removing the lock ring
05:38 Removing the freehub body
05:56 How the hub works
06:45 Removing the seal and plastic ring
07:51 Greasing the hub
08:52 Reinstalling the plastic ring
09:23 Reinstalling the springs
10:13 Reinstalling the freehub body
11:02 Reinstalling the seal
11:50 Reinstalling the lock ring
12:11 Reinstalling the end cap
13:08 How to fix a creaky hub in one minute
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[@sydfixesbikes]

If this video was helpful and saved you time and/or money, consider supporting the channel by hitting the "Thanks" button above to leave a tip.

[@JuJu13406]

A few days ago i worked on my bike an put a bolt on the ground. While doing this i repeatedly heard Syd‘s voice in my head telling me to not put sh*t on the ground. I didn‘t listen. Now, of course, the bolt is gone and i will never refuse to listen to Syd‘s advice again.

[@GeekonaBike]

almost any old magnet will save U trips to the hardware store/LBS

[@SirJohnCalzone]

Or, you can up your tool game and get yourself a magnetic bowl for storing bits and pieces. They're really nifty and you can get them in a hardware store. Edit : Also, magnets. Magnets are always a good idea!

[@Flux_Flow]

When I disassemble complex thing with multiple parts, I grab my phone and snap a few shots or video of what it looks like during the process.

[@jonathanleis8874]

Simple but effective 😁

[@joshuastrong2398]

@@jonathanleis8874 taking a digital photo is actually an incredibly sophisticated portrait of what happened

[@ofacid3439]

That's the thing I promise to myself to do next time every day as my assemblies use to turn out to picking up the wreckage cluelessly around the room

[@smiling.ljrides5083]

Good idea 👍

[@turtleman190]

I do this every time except the time i drop everything without seeing where it goes

[@dkumagai30]

Here's an obscure one. If you have a reproducible creak under hard pedaling (once under tension and once when tension is released), try loosening your rear thru-axle. If the creak disappears, you might be able to fix it by regreasing the thru-axle and the dropouts. I dealt with this for about a month before managing to fix it.

[@nick-ish]

U a G for this, I was about to attempt to replace my freewheel bearings until I saw this comment

[@Adam-xo7cv]

I always lay out a clean rag and place parts in order from left to right as I disassemble them. That way I know which order the parts go back in!

[@andyeunson270]

I had a creak on a DTSwiss 240 hub with an XTR 12 speed cassette. There is a very thin clear plastic spacer that I had lost when assembling the bike. I made one with a Dremel from a clear plastic berry container from the grocery store. Creak solved. My LBS got another proper spacer for me from Shimano. It was free. I was able to detect a tiny amount of play in the cassette while the wheel was mounted. But that was the creak and that’s all it was. The new XTR cassette packaging allows one to push the cassette on the hub while pulling out the plastic packaging. I didn’t do that and lost the plastic shim that way the LBS said only XTR cassettes had the spacer.

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yup, that's a cause of creaks on the early version of 12-speed XTR cassettes.

[@wolkuz]

Done this like 4 times, and finally got my self the new DT swiss H1700 wheel with re retched system, no problems 4000km

[@alexmalone1642]

Hello from Bucharest România!I learn more about from bikes with u!thanks 🌹

[@carnestrucking6134]

I just recently got back into mountain biking when my son showed interest and I absolutely LOVE this channel. Really inspires confidence to dig in and repair/understand your bike yourself. Keep up the good work!

[@kopfrein]

I don't even have a 12-speed Shimano, but still loved the video. You people are great. 👍

[@paullittleton1974]

Wanna thank you for your detailed explanation on this particular topic. My creaky hub has been driving me nuts for months! I’ve been a little nervous about getting in too deep and messing up my stuff, but this video was a fantastic guide and an inspiration. My hub is much, much better now :)

[@janeblogs324]

8:55 shimano have updated this plastic part but they still self destruct within a year. Many owners agree it should've been recalled, these hubs will cause many wheel sets to end up in the bin

[@joseluischolanleon1728]

I was looking for several tutorials on how to maintain this type of hubs and I couldn't find any that could be useful to me until I found your tutorial and it was very helpful, grateful for your time and desire to teach, blessings.

[@djcooljones4585]

Please don't stop making the Syd Fixes Bikes! makes my day listening to you! awesome

[@tronmepc]

Thank you so much for this video! I was almost going to take my bike into the shop after spending 5 hours hunting for this creak and your video was the solution I needed! 🥳

[@jackiegammon2065]

Great video! When I first started wrenching, I would do the same thing... not pay attention to the order of how parts came off. I then learned to take them off in order, and lay them on the bench in the order they came off. I guess you also take a photo of the parts as well. But, aside from that, thanks for sharing!!

[@mattkavanaugh5623]

I enjoyed the video as always, and even if I don't have to deal with a Shimano freehub I learned good stuff about snap rings and springs... :) Thanks!

[@benmillns8976]

Great video guys! I've just ordered this wheelset so I'm doing my research on maintenance and potential issues!

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

Nice video for those with these hubs, and also, thank you DT Swiss!

[@nicolasduchon7876]

Just fixed my creaky Microspline SLX rear hub this afternoon thanks to this video, thanks !

[@tomislavmatijevic3653]

I have upgraded my bike to xt freehub. After 300 miles squeeking started. So it looks like it was not an issue only on the first series 1×12 xt hub :(. I fallowed this "how to" step by step and voila. No more squeeking. Sid and guys, you rock. Tnx a lot. Greetings from Croatia.

[@richardmckernan2835]

Best video online for how to take care of this - thank you.

[@Joeytv12]

very informative vlog.thank you guys!!! Ridesafe always!

[@jasons3956]

Great job! And Jacob is awesome. Best video I have seen on this topic. Cheers.

[@ProDMiner]

hey ty for this, helped me understand alot more about the hubs.

[@wyndward]

Thanks! Another very helpful video for a new(ish) bike commuter who is interested in taking care repairs and services without relying on a bike shop.

[@sydfixesbikes]

You're very welcome!

[@richrich685]

Congratulations on 100k subs! 🎉🍾🥂

[@diejeekoen]

Thanks for this Vid. My Backwheel fell apart at the actual freewheel when I it was build out and eventually fell over on the Freewhee side. The Cassete with the microspline hub and a part of the freewheel and two secure rings had come loose. I didn,t know where to start to build it together again. This video helped. The real freewheel ratchet as you hold at 6:08 had come apart. One part was still in the hub, the other part in the Microspline part. It is normally hold together by 2 compressable metal rings on the inside. The outer one tells not to lubricate. When you losen them you can take a look in the actual ratchetfreewheel. I can tell you, it is lubricated! With thin oil. When you will lubircate it with to thick lubrication like grease it will probably not grip again when pedaling. My rearwheel had also had a creek, I supppose it will be gone now.

[@saxmon3000]

Love your videos! New to MTB so learning a lot! But I know tools! The "pokey tool" is called an awl. Keep the videos coming! Best wishes and successes!

[@stevemoore5339]

Great video. I had this very issue on my shimano hub. The teeth on the oring you showed had sheared off. Makes some noise and unhappy hub. Great video

[@Nostoc42]

Dear God thank you, I rode all summer with a creaky rear wheel that no one seemed to be able to fix. Just greased the hub, and it's suddenly as silent as the day I bought it.

[@rikejmijakchces]

Good video. 🤟 Greet you Bikemechanic from the Czech Republic

[@alreedyalrighty588]

I've been chasing this creak for over a month now. First thinking it may be the chain and the after market sprocket. After replacing both, I still had the creaking. I wish I looked this up sooner. I took mine apart and it was filthy. It took over an hour to clean out all the grooves. The tines on the plastic spacer that go into the gear were all broken off. I hope this doesn't affect anything. Everything seems to be working fine. Thank you!

[@thim8009]

Thanks for showing, did great job!

[@smiling.ljrides5083]

Thank for the content 😊 happy to know how to fix creaky hubs

[@doncrescas]

Great video on a fairly complex part, but once you have taken it apart, an overhaul of a loose bearing hub such as this entails replacement of the ball bearings. Doing so will allow these hubs to last for years and years.

[@dusshan1]

Thanks for the great video. apparently too late to ask, but maybe in the future consider also include replacement of the spline bearings? I had an issue where the cassete was shaking and left it with mechanic this time, but definitely wanna learn to do it myself later. Cheers.

[@darkfrost1901]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you!

[@groteandreas1482]

Tank you!! That might be the reason for that new horrible creaking...

[@goodlad7]

Hi mate 🙂 great to see you again

[@Bautec41]

I've just watched this again and in 2:45 Syd is reffering to a comment about removing derailleur to take out the wheel. Well, I've just had to do this yesterday. My friends gravel bike was designed in a way that hanger is in an offset of about 1mm in reference to dropout on the frame. Bad design I guess, I had to remove hanger in order to get wheel out! Good thing was that hanger bolt was in a good position. That bike is Kross Esker 5.0

[@joeyriveira6697]

Hey all . I learned years ago that grease is ur best buddy when it comes to bicycles . Wherever there is a part that has contact with another part grease it there . Especially the seat post , bottom bracket & cranks to crank arms . It sux to go and remove a seat post to find it bonded to the seat tube . This is super common when u add friction & grime from cleaning regularly . Best rule is grease before installing & periodically remove parts to grease and inspect .

[@allenrowdy810]

love all the detailed instructions and the do's and don'ts the pokey thing is called a pick btw lol

[@gustavomello6667]

Great video....first time I've seen it in English. Just a heads up!! People in Brazil have been complaining about this creaking from just about when they released this microspline system. Some people also said that the CREAK comes back after a while and i guess you have to regrease it every time.

[@snat6299]

Really good video thanks

[@DavidG2P]

Thanks for your awesome video! Did Shimano actually change anything inside the freewheel mechanism when they stopped marketing them as "silent", in order for the freewheel not to actively disengage anymore (as originally advertised and shown in their Scylence videos)?

[@MichalBudzik_]

Hi, very good content!! Quick question : Would you recommend to put any grease on the outside of the hub splines when you slide the cassete on? Cheers

[@waynecallister2236]

Another great video! How do you two find the time to win races and do these videos?!

[@stewartbibb]

Thanks for the guidance!

[@14TacomaDR]

I bought Specialized levo Turbo Comp last March. Really enjoying it . I had to replace the chain and rear sprockets last winter . Then I had to take it into my shop Saturday it wasn't shifting properly and a clicking noise ..The say the free hub needs to be replaced .And they are back ordered until August !!! . And I just keep driving and hope it lasts until they do. But I am wondering now why they cant just do what you did.

[@sagehiker]

LOVE the cat fur coated tools ( 1 minute recap ) Well done. Especially confident field tested mechanic now. And yep, don't force s%$t. Hard for this older roustabout.

[@jetman5814]

I have been chasing this creak on my 2021 Specialized Fuse for months. I’ve blown up two Shimano BB’s since buying this bike in February (these new BB’s are total junk). Replaced the entire crankset with SRAM DUB and have had zero issues. The Shimano was getting a ton of dirt and moisture in it despite my (and my LBS) best efforts. I’m going to try this tomorrow to see if it helps. Long term; I’m switching the entire drivetrain to SRAM. I have XDR hubs on my road and gravel bikes. I don’t think this Microspline is a viable 12 speed option. Rather, it’s a bandaid from Shimano to sell 12 speeds.

[@razmtb5028]

as always nice tutorial guys!!! \m/

[@HandcraftedDrumscom]

Great video, @sydfixesbikes! Wondering how long you have been running the XT hubs (kms or years), provided the freehub mech was maintained? I've seen issues with the freehub teeth and hub shell being damaged but not sure if that's common or results from lack of service.

[@uwegenosdude]

Thank your very much for this cool video. It helped me a lot !! Shimano recommends to use seal grease for the C-Ring and the cap which locks all together. You did not use such grease. Isn't it necessary? And do I have to grease the freehub body before inserting the cassette? I've never seen this in other videos.

[@sydfixesbikes]

We always grease the freehub body as it decreases tht likelihood of creaking.

[@gwenandrews7518]

Confusing but you two are pros!

[@simocampo344]

Great vid, guys

[@SirJohnCalzone]

Great to see you guys back in the shed! Don't have any issues with my hub, but watching you two go over to process is really comfy to watch. :) I do have two questions though and would love to hear your takes: first, how do high end hubs differ from other ones? And second - I've noticed that for some people a loud hub is somewhat of a point of pride, what's up with that? Only reason I can think is that the sound of a beehive acts as an early warning for other people on the trail?

[@sydfixesbikes]

We agree on the hub noise. Not sure why you'd rather hear your hub than the trail... In terms of high vs low end hubs, we'll admit to having pretty much no experience with low end ones, so can't really compare them.

[@DameEdnaBrown]

That was fun, good job

[@flycubfly]

Thanks for the tip . I just happened to have my free hub off and added the grease as you said . Now , “easy as pie” has nothing to do with food . Its referring to “ pi R squared “ a mathematical equation to easily find the area of a circle . Know you know . 😎

[@spacklemaster]

I had a creaky drivetrain that got progressively louder and the usual suspects didn't fix it, so took my Shimano 12spd hub apart and performed this 'surgery'. Great tutorial. Creak has gone and I'm 99.9% sure everything went back correctly and the lock ring washer is inserted fully, however, I notice that the clicking hub sound is less pronounced now with grease in. The clicking used to stop with some good speed, but now it seems to stop with just a small amount of speed. Rides perfectly - but doesn't feel quite right compared to original setup.

[@sydfixesbikes]

That actually sounds like it's working better as it's supposed to be a "silent" hub and ours generally go quiet at fairly low speeds. As long as it seems to be functioning properly, I'd assume you're good to go!

[@kkitzhaber]

Thanks. Very helpful.

[@Dr4g0nW00d]

My 11 speed hub also does this on a DT Swiss 240 S always feeling a creek when powering from the cassette

[@argonaut6386]

Thanks very much for this. The trouble I had trying to find something that showed the workings and mentioned the issues. My bike which I use for commuting part on road, part off, suddenly developed an issue where the chain would spin and then grip again. I thought it was a worn chain and cassette but replacement made no difference. I have a feeling the ratchet levers are not coming out far enough as there is resistance and then it suddenly gives which has meant I've coasted out in front of cars on roundabouts 😬

[@sydfixesbikes]

Depending on the type of hub, you should check the tiny springs under the hub pawls as what you're describing sounds like an issue that can be caused by those sticking or being worn out.

[@argonaut6386]

@@sydfixesbikes Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. I'll take a look 👍

[@benstanski]

i have a old trek 7000 and 8speed freehub was frozen from dirt/lubricant+ cleaning products turned to a glue effect on paws.used wd 40,pb blaster and lysol at different days to get black dirt come out

[@marekj.]

What a great piece of engineering from Shimano... omg

[@jeffk433]

The snap ring pliers are cheap at harbor freight, etc. and well worth the purchase. Does that premium grease work on knees? 😆 Nice video that demystifies a fairly simple repair.

[@darbolozdarboloz9332]

Muchas gracias!!

[@sapinva]

Have a pos Specialized oem (guessing Formula) hub that emits random spring sounds. It drives me nuts. Think I'll try taking it apart and packing with grease.

[@BlueGoose29]

great video as usual, a little late on this one... but circlips are more easily removed (and installed) with circlip pliers, not pokyies and pliers lol. that's a sweet freehub though

[@robertquigley2036]

Thanks for this video, the creak has been driving my nuts. Have you guys had any of the teeth break off of that thin white piece? I found 2 broken when I took mine apart, just hoping that it's not a major issue

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yeah, we've found the same in some hubs. If you can find a replacement (which can be hard) then go ahead and replace. If not, I suspect it'll be fine.

[@Andresmtbenduroht]

I do that every month with my (second) 🤣xt hub, it doesnt stops creaking and the plastic piece is fine cause i take care of it and now i have a shimano deore mt-410, the problem is solved, heavier but much cheaper than the crappy xt but great video👍

[@zoranpl]

And you have real bearings in mt410 ,not shitty cup and cone like in all their others shimano hubs...

[@jamesedmerdelacruz9478]

12:50 I usually put anti seize on it just to make sure it will last long and can handle any weather condition.

[@wawaron1407]

Honnetement its a lot of vid on the net, but even with your low cost hand made with love shad, your tuto is shinny above most of them. Its simply "talk" to the viewer in straight fwd popular way, (includong the commun mistikes we will moke it by DYI metohd)... When i want to know, i watch Syd 😍and lesson Maky🤫, then i know😌... Simple comme bonjour!🤩

[@kovie9162]

This somewhat reminds me of the inside of a manual transmission, with synchros and dog teeth and such. I actually have to overhaul my freehub for a different reason, play in the hub. Totally different freehub design so none of this applies (thanks, Mavic, for designing a freehub that requires that you destroy a bearing to service it!). But still interesting to watch. And, I too hate removing rear wheels. It's almost never smooth.

[@pagalpila4087]

Plz reply ,which bike you are using right now shimano which model

[@davidmelton6442]

Brillant! But what if you ride through a creek?

[@adamputu5448]

That thin spacer or dust cover or what i don't know the name of that part is it i can using picking tool?

[@tomahoks]

Mad skills.

[@kgws2663]

Yep. Mine was creaking at 4800 miles. Wish I'd seen this. Luckily I had a spare hub so the shop just swapped it out. Mine was on a Specialized Turbo Levo Comp alloy 2021 model.

[@johndef5075]

I purchased a new xt hub in 2024. I took it apart to check on the grease level. They must have redesigned it because it doesnt have the plastic piece anymore.

[@Nilla_S]

GMBN Tech, with Doddy, has a good rule. Place the parts in order on a papir towel of how you remove them off so it is easyer to place them back in the right order.

[@beerenmusli8220]

Yeah that rule is about as old as taking things apart. Nice that Doddy teaches it though, but I am still not very fond of the GMBN stuff.

[@oua-mtb6823]

Hey, Have You guys ever stripped the cassette lock ring? I strip mine every damn time. I put a new one on and then when I go to reinstall it, it strips out. I've had to buy 3 replacement rings. I torque it to 40N-M like the lock ring says.

[@MrACP1911]

You guys have to do a video on fixing a rear hub wobble.

[@detectorbeauty6463]

hi, I can ask you a question? I just buy a second-hand bike from Fri but sound Strange even I not kick a bike it trek marlin 6

[@Bittersfamily0424]

I just purchased an SLX hub with this same design. How many miles before I grease, and how many miles before I replace the white plastic spacer? I see a lot of negative reviews on these Shimano SLX, XT and XTR hubs. I personally clean and service my drive hubs monthly.

[@sydfixesbikes]

Monthly would be plenty. We generally leave ours alone unless they're creaking.

[@DanTuber]

jack should have it's own channel

[@profesam8457]

Great video! Are Shimano 10 or 11 speed hubs similar? Would this work for them as well? “Don’t put s - - t on the ground!” Are the exact words our trainer used when we were training with the fire department on rescue procedures. We even had a tarp that we placed on the ground and used for all tools or etc. That’s the minor addition I would recommend to your rules. AFTER you don’t put it on the ground you need a designated place to actually put it. Whether it’s a cafeteria tray with spots for the screws or whatever... you should have a designated place for the “s - - t” that you can’t put on the ground. Once you make a habit of doing it that way you will see that it works and it will become rule #3.

[@sydfixesbikes]

Unfortunately this only applies to the new 12-speed hub. The older hubs were a different design.

[@Apexifirdaus]

I just change all 5 bearings and assemble back to my bike. I notice that pedal resistance is harder than before. Is it normal after change new bearing?

[@didymus4]

love the 1 minute instruction part

[@doordashtips2]

i love jack!

[@utfhunter]

Hello, i need your help. I bought the same hub 8110-b, but the silent mode does not work, from the very beginning, I don’t know what to do?😢

[@soulevolution2735]

Just wondering. How do i diagnose if the hub is causing the creaking sound? Any methods to use before dismantling?

[@sydfixesbikes]

If it seems like it's coming from the back of the bike, especially under load (while pedaling) there's a pretty good chance it's the hub.

[@Mistic00727]

What's the difference between the premium grease and the normal one? Could I use noromal bike grease ?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Normal grease has the wrong viscosity

[@andreiconstantinchirila3730]

Ok so what's the part code ? from what I see that "micro spline" tend to use on long therm, so we need to replace it, TKS.

[@PetreRodan]

please tell us the exact code to that silent hub. my shimano 12s hub is very ratchety when I'm not pedaling and this hub of yours seems to be the perfect upgrade.

[@doncrescas]

It's the XT or XTR micro spline hub. You don't need the exact model code because there are several variations depending on your rear axle width.

[@natulasnatulas8850]

hello I have a shimano microspline FH-MT401 rear hubs and im so confused of what cassete should i use. can please help me😁

[@sydfixesbikes]

If you have a microspline hub, you need to run a Shimano 12-speed cassette

[@alfabethev2.074]

You’re Ace Syd, (Macky too of course😁) !

[@jeff7086]

so that would be a million and 10 videos for this channel.

[@anthonyhum8739]

Is this for all microspliine drivers? Or only applies to MS Shimano hubs ? Thanks

[@sydfixesbikes]

Just Shimano MS hubs