SS Freewheel Removal - Tips?

[Andrew Gronow]

I'm loathe to buy a tool as it will go straight on eBay after I've used it.

I'm after one. Don't mind buying it cheap from you...

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'm after one. Don't mind buying it cheap from you...

Sorry AG, I ended up just taking the wheel to my LBS who removed them for me

 

[smokeysmoo]

Angle grinder?

Not quite. Just crushed in a vice

 

[Buzzinonbikes]

Sorry to bump this thread but I am having a nightmare achieving this!
DAFT QUESTION - I have obviously removed the axle nuts that hold the wheel in the dropouts, but do you have to remove the two nuts either side of the wheel on the axle? Anyone know what I'm on about?

 

[simon.r]

Sorry to bump this thread but I am having a nightmare achieving this!
DAFT QUESTION - I have obviously removed the axle nuts that hold the wheel in the dropouts, but do you have to remove the two nuts either side of the wheel on the axle? Anyone know what I'm on about?

Do you mean the locknuts and cones? If you do, the answer's no, you don't need to remove them. If you do be prepared to pick up ball bearings as they fall out or to struggle to remove one or two ball bearings that get lost in the inside of the gub shell!

 

[Buzzinonbikes]

Do you mean the locknuts and cones? If you do, the answer's no, you don't need to remove them. If you do be prepared to pick up ball bearings as they fall out or to struggle to remove one or two ball bearings that get lost in the inside of the gub shell!

Yes locknuts! Thanks! Ok I won't remove those!

Just having a nightmare of a time. I've tried it in a vice i borrowed from work but the vice just keeps spinning no matter how much I tighten in both on the table and the top spinny bit. I'm lost with what to do, it really is on amazingly tight. Just to idiot check, I should be trying to turn it off anti-clockwise as in the way the freewheel will spin freely backwards?

 

[simon.r]

See post no 13 in this thread - that explains the technique in some detail. The vice needs to be securely fastened to a bench.

 

[Buzzinonbikes]

See post no 13 in this thread - that explains the technique in some detail. The vice needs to be securely fastened to a bench.

Cheers

 

[smokeysmoo]

Cheers

My LBS had a mare getting mine off TBH. Secure the vice and persevere would be the best advice.

 

[Buzzinonbikes]

My LBS had a mare getting mine off TBH. Secure the vice and persevere would be the best advice.

Cheers. I had a bit of a eureka moment last night which I will try tomorrow. Instead of putting the tool in the vice on the top (where the top part can spin round even when tightened) I'm going to put it in the side so the only thing moving would be the table! Can't believe I didn't try this at the time!

 

[smokeysmoo]

Cheers. I had a bit of a eureka moment last night which I will try tomorrow.

Ah I see, you're trying to remove it with a tool. There wasn't even't a tool for the freewheel I had! It had to be destroyed to be removed. I also needed the fixed cog off as well to change the ratio, and I think that had been loc-tited on too! He ended up having to destroy that as well.

It can be even trickier trying to keep a tool in position while trying to get it off, good luck with it.

This is the joy of cheap a$$ stock components, (in my case at least). I've now replaced the fixed cog with an On-One one and the freewheel side is bare as I don't use it anyway but needed it off so I could take my bike on the Velodrome.

 

[Buzzinonbikes]

Ah I see, you're trying to remove it with a tool.

Ye got one on Amazon for like £4 with 4 teeth that fit my shimano free wheel

 

[youngoldbloke]

Cheers. I had a bit of a eureka moment last night which I will try tomorrow. Instead of putting the tool in the vice on the top (where the top part can spin round even when tightened) I'm going to put it in the side so the only thing moving would be the table! Can't believe I didn't try this at the time!

Hope it's a heavy table! I used to use a very large, very heavy, very firmly bolted to a very heavy bench, mechanics vice .
I've since inherited the vice, but not the bench, however have no freewheels on any of my current bikes - all cassettes.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Surly.

I'm not that sold on the on-one fixed cogs. Surly lock rings are nearly works of art.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Surly

Indeed. I'd have gone for a Surly but funds were too tight, maybe next time.