Tricks for (future) removal of freewheels?
10-14-16, 07:12 PM
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Tricks for (future) removal of freewheels?
I'm in the process of replacing my singlespeed's wheels, and for the life of me I could not get the freewheel off the old wheel. I tried all the tricks...crescent wrench with a cheater bar, clamping the removal tool in a vice, etc, but the thing wouldn't budge. I ride my singlespeed mostly as a rain bike (very easy to clean when no gears and shifters!), and I guess the road grime and water literally froze the thing on there.
So are there any tricks or steps I can take now when I install a new one to prevent the thing from freezing onto the wheel? I used a lot of grease on the last install, but I wonder if that just made it easier for it to tighten even more when riding. I don't want to bust my knuckles again, or be stuck with another frozen freewheel when I try to take it off in the future!
So are there any tricks or steps I can take now when I install a new one to prevent the thing from freezing onto the wheel? I used a lot of grease on the last install, but I wonder if that just made it easier for it to tighten even more when riding. I don't want to bust my knuckles again, or be stuck with another frozen freewheel when I try to take it off in the future!
10-14-16, 07:32 PM
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Anti-seize compound.
Remove and re-install a couple times a year instead of waiting 'till it won't come off.
Remove and re-install a couple times a year instead of waiting 'till it won't come off.
10-14-16, 11:30 PM
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Use PB blaster penetrating catalyst to remove the current one. Works on both cars and bikes. 
Use copper-based* anti-seize compound. That's the stuff that lasts.
There's a good chance your now-seized freewheel was installed without grease. Grease is technically all you need though.
Use copper-based* anti-seize compound. That's the stuff that lasts.
There's a good chance your now-seized freewheel was installed without grease. Grease is technically all you need though.
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