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04-21-03, 12:29 PM
I decided to remove the freewheel from my commuter bike on Saturday. Patrly because I wanted to see if I could change the ratios, partly because I wanted to learn how it worked. I went and bought a splined freewheel puller from the LBS and using a Park chain whip as a wrench tried to get the freewheel off. Since this thing's not been serviced for 6 years it's hellish tight... so tight I can't get the thing to budge. I resorted to some good whacks with a hammer :crash: but that didn't help :( Anyone got any ideas of what else I can try ? I guess I could just take it to the LBS... but that kind of feels like giving up :(
Another thing I'm not sure about... bearings. I took the wheel off, removed the QR skewer and then started just taking other bits off the axle. The first nut on the cog side was loose, I since worked out that that is the locknut for the bearing cone. Since I couldn't get the freewheel off I was unable to get a wrench on the that side cone to really tighten it up. I just made do with getting the other side of the hub locked up nicely. I got the bearings running smoothly with just a tiny bit of play like the manuals say. When I put the wheel back in the frame and tightened the skewer it seemed good. No play but fairly free running (I still need to take it apart properly and regrease the bearings). Will that be OK or is it liable to self-destruct at any moment ? :confused:
Cheers,
Ian.
Another thing I'm not sure about... bearings. I took the wheel off, removed the QR skewer and then started just taking other bits off the axle. The first nut on the cog side was loose, I since worked out that that is the locknut for the bearing cone. Since I couldn't get the freewheel off I was unable to get a wrench on the that side cone to really tighten it up. I just made do with getting the other side of the hub locked up nicely. I got the bearings running smoothly with just a tiny bit of play like the manuals say. When I put the wheel back in the frame and tightened the skewer it seemed good. No play but fairly free running (I still need to take it apart properly and regrease the bearings). Will that be OK or is it liable to self-destruct at any moment ? :confused:
Cheers,
Ian.