Originally Posted by
JohnDThompson
If the shop lacks the proper tool for removal, or if the engagement slots on the freewheel body have been damaged such that they no longer hold the remover tool securely, removal can become problematic.
On a 4 year old bike, the freewheel almost certain has the now-standard Shimano spline. So the shop will certainly have the tool, and this remover is basically impossible to strip. So it is a matter of force, something that the shop clearly did not apply enough of. Lazy. Weak. Easier to sell you a whole new wheel I guess. Time for a new shop.
I have a 15" wrench. Using this, I have never been defeated in the task of removing a freewheel. Even on 30+ year old wheels, which have had a lot more time for the freewheel to become corroded onto the hub.
BTW: a spoke replacement is a 15 minutes job, including the freewheel removal.