OK, maybe I'm being too critical here, but I'd appreciate some advice. I have tried several freewheels from different manufacturers, but mostly ACS claws 16T. When I ride the bike (82 GT), from time to time I'll hear a little creak from the freewheel. Not all the time, and I need not be cranking down hard. It will even do it if I have the bike flipped upside down, and I rotate the cranks forward while keeping the rear wheel in a controlled spin with a rag up against the rim. The chain is dead straight onto the freewheel and front sproket. I did grease the freewheel threads before install. All seems very tight. It is absolutely not coming from the bottom bracket. Is this just the nature of newer school freewheels to let-out a creak from time to time? (this is all while pedaling forward mind you). It wasn't quite as noticeable with the old school Suntour. Please help put my mind at ease. Thanks all.

You sure its not your hub? Might be a dry bearing or a dry fit between the bearing and the axle.

My advice withy anything that squeaks, grinds and creaks is to take EVERYTHING to bits, fill it with Grease and put it back together.

You should have no problems then.

ORB

I agree with raybeard. I experienced the same thing with my Floval. I took my rear hub apart, cleaned it, then re-packed with Phil grease. That baby spins so smooth and quietly now...give it a try.

Thanks guys. It isn't the hub I don't think (Phil Woods that are dead silent when I spin the wheel clear of the bike). Heck, even if it were, I'd do more damage than good by taking it apart, given what little I know about hub guts. I still think it the prawls in the freewheel shifting or something while engaged. The innerds of a freewheel seem to among the less well built areas of BMX gear. I'll just live with it. It's very minor. Thanks again.

Keithandstef if you have a problem with the hub it will react differently under load and not under load. I can understand not wanting to tear apart a Phil hub, if you aren't 100% sure what you doing do not tear apart a Phil Wood hub. Maybe you can swap wheels and try the experienment with the same freewheels on a different wheel. If the problem points back to the hub send the wheel out to Phil for a rebuild. Its my understanding that they will rebuild their hubs at a very fair price.

That's an excellent idea Raybeard. I will try a swap. Now i just have to locate a good spare rear wheel.

you say your chain is dead tight...are you sure its not too tight and putting unessacary strain on the freewheel....?????????????
dave

Sorry. After I read my own post it sounded weird. I meant "tight" in a more figurative way, in that it's secure and looks good. The chain is snug, but not too tight. ONe thing I thought about ws that I tend to lock one side of the hub to the drop out, and then pull the other side of the hub into place to line-up the wheel. COund this be straining the bearings? It's tough to pull the wheel back strainght all in one motion and equally tighten both sides at the same time. Follow?

You might consider buying a set of chain tensioners. Makes it easy to adjust evenly and keeps the wheel from moving at all.