How to Upgrade Your DT Swiss Star Ratchet
The DT Swiss Star Ratchet system has been around for years. It's known for reliability, durability, and ease of service. It is also easily upgraded. Depending on the level of hub you have, 190, 240, 350, 370, or any of the many other branded hubs that use their system, you can improve the engagement of the hub by purchase a higher tooth count star ratchet.
During the recent Trail Testing of the Epic Evo Expert, we found the freehub engagement to be a bit too slow for the technical riding that our area is known for. Moose took some parts out of an old hub he had lying around and quickly swapped out the ratchet drastically improving the speed of engagement.
Nomanclature
Terms you need to know:
End Cap
Axle
Hub Shell
Freehub Body
Star Ratchet
step 1
The first thing you need to do is to remove the driveside end cap. This is best done by placing the end cap in a soft jaw vice and giving the wheel a quick upward hit.
If you don't have a vice with soft jaws, we have found that a set of parallel jawed pliers can do the trick as well. Just be sure not to crush the end cap as only a small amount of pressure is needed.
step 2
Once you've removed the end cap, the freehub body will slide off the axle pretty easily. You'll want the driveside of the hub pointing upward to keep the star ratchet and springs from falling off when you pull the freehub off.
step 3
With the freehub body off the axle, you'll have easy access to the star ratchet. Pull the old ones out and install the new ones. You will want the smooth part of the star ratchet facing toward the springs. There is a spring inside the hub shell and inside the freehub body. If either of those fell out, the bigger portion of the spring goes into the respective part.
step 4
Using DT Swiss grease, apply a small amount to the teethed portion of the star ratchets and then reverse the process.
Slide the freehub body back onto the axle and then push the end cap back on. A quick, light tap is usually sufficient to get the end cap to re-seat itself on the axle.