Why is this stock sprocket so annoying to put on?

[NerpAngel]

At first, when I installed the stock sprocket to my wheel, I did it somewhat fast and didn't mind that the crescent shaped metal pieces overlapped a tiny bit, but now after riding a couple miles I've realized this could be somewhat dangerous.. and if not, I should just fix it anyways.. I took everything off my wheel and just tried from step 1 to put it all back together again and I'm still having this problem... Every metal crescent piece overlaps the next... These should be flat against those robber pieces but I find it EXTREMELY hard to pull the crescent pieces apart far enough to lay flat.. Here's a picture of what I'm talking about. (Yes.. this is my girlfriends room lol... don't ask )
Is there a way to solve this so my pieces lay flat..

 

[civlized]

It shouldn't be problem for them to overlap like that. If you don't like it, you can always trip them up a little to lay flat and make it easier to install that way.

 

[NerpAngel]

I noticed when I put the bolts through, they all point inward making a smaller circle; that's why I think it's hard for me to put those on because I have to pull back those bolts to get them as straight as possible, but doing so is extremely difficult like I mentioned.. I wonder why this is hard for me..
So filing down the edges a little to get them to lay flat would be ok you think?

 

[WayneC]

How many spokes in that wheel? 36? 3 cross pattern or 4 cross? May just be a spoke alignment problem. Try moving the bolts to a different opening position.

 

[Vistaman73]

Try rhis before you file. I had the same problem. Even with the bolts. It is just like that. I tightend one part and used a flat head screwdriver and pryed them into alignment. While holding them apart, I tightend the looser one until they match. It was really easy to do, you should not have an trouble doing this. This is the way they should be and I think it makes the fit stronger.

 

[bairdco]

that's a common problem. you can grind the edges off, it won't make it any worse. just make sure you clean all the metal shavings off your girlfriends bed. they get kinda itchy.

to solve your problem completely, get a Manic Mechanic sprocket and hub adapter from Creative Engineering or Pirate Cycles. both are sponsors and their ads are on the sides. it's the best thing you can do for your bike.

 

[NerpAngel]

It's 36 spokes like the kit requires plus I have tried a different spot.. it's all the same though haha

I'll try that flat head trick though. Not sure how you did it but I'll try!!

 

[civlized]

These things can really be a pain, sometimes. I bought the heavy duty hub and brake kit mainly because I got tired of dealing with mounting the sprocket this way. Some of the other options like what bairdco pointed out work great, too. The sprocket is much easier to change and has better alignment with less wobble which makes it much better on your chain tensioner, if you use one.

 

[corgi1]

I used a pen knife blade as a slide and tightened the bolts slow ,and the plates slid in place like an old split rim semi wheel...Those are flats I don't want to fix any more.

 

[MB-Monkey]

Rag joints just suck out loud. Weakest point in the kits in my opinion. everyone has givenn great advice.

 

[Cabinfever1977]

Use a flat head srewdriver to pry apart while tightening,its easy even a caveman can do it.

 

[marts1]

I drilled the holes a bit as well as a little grinding off the sides. Otherwise it was impossible.

 

[corgi1]

I had said this on another place,.I put mine togeather w/out the wheel and let it sit for a monthso maby mine stretched out some .While waiting I read these blogs for hours looking for things to solve any problems I might run into,I still want one of jims hub adapters though,just makes sense to me .

 

[marts1]

Sooner or later I'll be gettin one too.

 

[2door]

I totally disagree with trimming the metal plates. By doing so you decrease the diameter of the bolt circle on the inside of the assembly thereby building in a possible warp. Those plates can be installed so there is no overlap. It takes time, patients and maybe some sore fingers but they will fit flush and when they're flush you have a more concentric assembly. Nougat offers good advice. Take your time and work at it. I like to use snap ring pliers which will pry apart when you compress the handles. Once all the bolts are in and snug, plates setting end to end you can begin to tighten the bolts in a star pattern. Just be patient and it will work. Once things are snug then go for centering the sprocket on your hub. A rubber mallet or a hammer and a piece of wood can be used to tap the sprocket into the desired position. When everything looks good tighten the bolts, alternating from side to side until you've flattened the lockwashers then just a little more torque. The most important thing is getting the sprocket concentric to the hub.
Tom

 

[marts1]

Maybe if you trimmed too much. Been riding rough all last season without any probs.

 

[longhair]

At first, when I installed the stock sprocket to my wheel, I did it somewhat fast and didn't mind that the crescent shaped metal pieces overlapped a tiny bit, but now after riding a couple miles I've realized this could be somewhat dangerous.. and if not, I should just fix it anyways.. I took everything off my wheel and just tried from step 1 to put it all back together again and I'm still having this problem... Every metal crescent piece overlaps the next... These should be flat against those robber pieces but I find it EXTREMELY hard to pull the crescent pieces apart far enough to lay flat.. Here's a picture of what I'm talking about. (Yes.. this is my girlfriends room lol... don't ask )
Is there a way to solve this so my pieces lay flat..

Piece it together snug, {not tight} then use a wide edge flat screwdriver to snap metal pieces into correct position. Then as "Two Door" said, get a rubber mallet and piece of 2x4, place on top of spokes against new sprocket and tap into center with an even reveal. Finish tightening evenly all around. Rockvoice and myself have now built about 16 MBs of all kinds of wheels/frames and we got it down to 15minutes {applying new sprocket} together and or by ourselves. It just takes a little patience. We've never have had even one nut come loose on any sprocket we've put together. Nothing is impossible with these kits and actually it's the sprocket assembly that will be the last of your worries of any breakdowns as far as MB parts go. Good Luck

 

[NerpAngel]

Wow! So many suggestions! I love this forum !!

 

[marts1]

Piece it together snug, {not tight} then use a wide edge flat screwdriver to snap metal pieces into correct position. Then as "Two Door" said, get a rubber mallet and piece of 2x4, place on top of spokes against new sprocket and tap into center with an even reveal. Finish tightening evenly all around. Rockvoice and myself have now built about 16 MBs of all kinds of wheels/frames and we got it down to 15minutes {applying new sprocket} together and or by ourselves. It just takes a little patience. We've never have had even one nut come loose on any sprocket we've put together. Nothing is impossible with these kits and actually it's the sprocket assembly that will be the last of your worries of any breakdowns as far as MB parts go. Good Luck

I tryed this and more on my build. Believe me, there was just no way without doimg what I did. It's a mountain bike and perhaps its different then most.

 

[NerpAngel]

Ya.. I've got to agree with marts1 here...
I've tried and tried and tried so much to get those to lay flat but every time I get close I lose my strength and they slide back over the other and that's only doing one!
Maybe I don't get the concept of the whole flat head screwdriver idea...?

This is just so strange, because my wheel is a regular 36 spoke wheel, so everything shouldn't be this difficult.