Maintenance 6
45
Problem
Possible Cause
Remedy
Freewheel does not
rotate
• Freewheel internal pawl pins are jammed
• Lubricate. If problem persists, replace freewheel
Brakes not working
effectively
• Brake pads worn down
• Brake pads/rim greasy, wet or dirty
• Brake cables are binding/stretched/damaged
• Brake levers are binding
• Brakes out of adjustment
• Replace brake pads
• Clean pads and rim
• Clean/adjust/replace cables
• Adjust brake levers
• Center brakes
When applying the
brakes they squeal/
squeak
• Brake pads worn down
• Brake pads toe-in incorrect
• Brake pads/rim dirty or wet
• Brake arms loose
• Replace pads
• Correct pads toe-in
• Clean pads and rim
• Tighten mounting bolts
Knocking or shuddering
when applying brakes
• Bulge in the rim or rim out of true
• Brake mounting bolts loose
• Brakes out of adjustment
• Fork loose in head tube
• True wheel or take to a bike shop for repair
• Tighten bolts
• Center brakes and/or adjust brake pads toe-in
• Tighten headset
Wobbling wheel
• Axle broken
• Wheel out of true
• Hub comes loose
• Headset binding
• Hub bearings collapsed
• Quick-release mechanism loose
• Replace axle
• True wheel
• Adjust hub bearings
• Adjust headset
• Replace bearings
• Adjust quick-release mechanism
Problem
Possible Cause
Remedy
Gear shifts not
working properly
• Derailleur cables sticking/stretched/ damaged
• Front or rear derailleur not adjusted properly
• Indexed shifting not adjusted properly
• Lubricate/tighten/replace cables
• Adjust derailleurs
• Adjust indexing
Slipping chain
• Excessively worn/chipped chainring or freewheel sprocket
teeth
• Chain worn/stretched
• Stiff link in chain
• Non compatible chain/chainring freewheel
• Replace chainring, sprockets and chain
• Replace chain
• Lubricate or replace link
• Seek advice at a bicycle shop
Chain jumping off
freewheel sprocket or
chainring
• Chainring out of true
• Chainring loose
• Chainring teeth bent or broken
• Rear or front derailleur side-to-side travel out of adjustment
• Cross chaining and shifting under load
• Re-true if possible, or replace
• Tighten mounting bolts
• Repair or replace chainring/set
• Adjust derailleur travel
Constant clicking
noises when pedaling
• Stiff chain link
• Loose pedal axle/bearing
• Loose bottom bracket axle/bearings
• Bent bottom bracket or pedal axle
• Loose crankset
• Lubricate chain/adjust chain link
• Adjust bearings/axle nut
• Adjust bottom bracket
• Replace bottom bracket axle or pedals
• Tighten crank bolts
Grinding noise when
pedaling
• Pedal bearings too tight
• Bottom bracket bearings too tight
• Chain fouling derailleurs
• Derailleur jockey wheels dirty/binding
• Adjust bearings
• Adjust bearings
• Adjust chain line
• Clean and lubricate jockey wheels
Schwinn Folding Bicycle Manual.indb 45
7/1/14 3:59 PM
