XT Cassettes question.

[Oddjob]

Hi All

I recently fitted a new XT cassette to my XC bike. When I fitted it I noticed that there was a washer on the lock ring that would fit between the cassette and the lockring itself, which I had never seen on any of my other cassettes. Assuming that Shimano wouldn't have put it there without a reason I fitted it as it came.

Recently though I noticed that the lockring had come loose and the cassette was starting to move on the freewhheel body, which has never happened to me before. My question is should I remove the washer or is it actually meant to be there?

[John U]

i went through the exact same drama. i just assumed that i hadn't tightened the lock ring enough. i just retightened it and put the wheel back on. on the sram cassettes i have used i don't think there was a washer. if it comes loose again i might try removing the washer.

[DIRTSURFER666]

yer dont do them up to tight. i reapeat not to tight.
i did then couple months later go to take it of. end up bending the chain whip cracking the cassette tool then had to make a one metre long chain whips with over size holding pins and a pole to slide over the ratchet. it was a fair mission.

[Rider]

I've been wondering about this too. I've had 2 XT cassettes, with the first one I left it off but then it was really hard to get the lock ring undone so with the second one I left it there. I haven't had to take it off yet but it dosen't seem to have come loose.

Someone must know if it's meant to be there or not.

[888_SANCHEZ]

don't you get a manual with them:confused: surely it would be in there... or the website....

[Oddjob]

don't you get a manual with them:confused: surely it would be in there... or the website....

Nope no manual. I did check the Shimano site just then (funny how you never think of this before posting) though and apparently it is the lock ring spacer, although it looks more like a washer than a spacer to me.

I was just concerned that the spacer was preventing the lockring engaging properly with the cassette, thus the lockring coming losse.

[udi]

Yeah, you have to leave it in there.

Just tighten it down a little more next time, i'd say it just wasnt tightened enough.

[apsilon]

I really doubt that washer is going to make much if any difference to it engaging. It's so thin it makes a sheet of paper look like armour. FWIW I left mine on and did it up to the specified torque with a torque wrench. No problems so far.

[John U]

when i tightened mine it made a noise like the washer was being squashed into the small teeth on the lock ring and cassette. i guess this helps keep it in place.

[naz]

when i tightened mine it made a noise like the washer was being squashed into the small teeth on the lock ring and cassette. i guess this helps keep it in place.

thats damn right, it just helps stopping the lockring coming loose.