Hi- ongoing restoration of 1984 Ross Compact 10-speed; I have a shiny replacement chainwheel for one-piece crank I "must" swap out with the existing less-shiny chainwheel (keeping all else from the old set).
I can't find or determine right tool to dissassemble the existing set to swap out the chainwheel.

Local bike shops too scared and/or uninterested and/or lack obsessive compulsions to properly assist.

I acquired a 1979 Shimano service brochure detailing entire system and process, but even so... This is the sole remaining item keeping me from completing this project and riding my bike again. Help? Click pic to embiggen.

Moved from C & V by OP's request.

This a Front Freewheel crank? Shimano did that , so novices could shift while they coasted,

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...el-system.html

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/i...5122642AAIZuMc

Shimano Removal Tool FFS Only | eBay

Wow, ancient. I've worked on a lot of Positron derailleurs, which is what the front freewheel system was always paired with, but I've never had to take apart and overhaul the crank. I've never even seen replacement parts, but I suppose it is because I have never bothered or needed to look for them.

Ummm... it's been a while since I worked on a FFS freewheel and crank (35 1/2 years?) but I think you need to pry off a giant circlip that holds the chainrings to the freewheel unit. It's on the outside of the chainrings- that is, you could remove the chainrings without taking the cranks off the bike. It's not necessary to remove the freewheel unit from the crank (that requires a special removal tool).

I think... I wish I could find a picture from the old Schwinn repair manuals. Those things were amazing.

.

You are correct! My question is, where can I find the tool to disassemble it?

Shimano Removal Tool FFS Only | eBay[/QUOTE]

thank you- this does result in a picture of a *sold* FFS tool ( tool model TL-FF10 ) now if I can find one for sale...

Yes, they are, I have the entire Shimano service brochure for the Integer crankset, I just need the tool and can't find it locally or on eBay.

If you are lucky you have a bike shop that has been around a long time and was motivated to hold onto tools for these long ago obsolete bike parts.

If I'm understanding your original post, all you want to do is change the chainrings. Like I said, you need to pry off the giant circlip that holds the chainrings to the freewheel unit. You do not need this tool to do this- all you need it a small screwdriver or scratch awl to pry up the circlip to do this.

The one I did I didn't need any special tool. I disassembled the freewheel cleaned and greased it on a less rusty donor crankset before installing. There are numerous small bearings involved and thin shim washers to set the bearing preload. With two cranks I had different thickness washers to use for this adjustment. This was a number of years ago so I don't recall all the things required to do this other than i used no special tool.

Jeff, You are exactly understanding my post. And, if you'll just take a look at the service diagram I posted, you'll see a) the "Front Freewheel Tool", b) the single piece crank, and c) the cutouts that the "tool" fits into. There's no mention of a circlip nor is one depicted. Either a) it's not there, or b) you'll need to post a more detailed diagram or description that proves your proposed solution.

Ok, I understand, you didn't use a special tool. SO, then: How did you disassemble the assembly? Because either I a) need the tool as depicted in the Shimano service diagram that I have included in this post or b) require an alternatively-outlined approach that will achieve the same result.

The removal tool is to remove the freewheel unit from the crank. If I understand you correctly- you are trying to separate the chainrings from the freewheel unit. Look very closely at where the chainring meets the outer circumference of the black freewheel unit. You should see a small gap in the circlip- pry this up and around to remove the circlip and the chainring.

FWIW: Dedhed's first picture shows the outer ring of the freewheel unit still attached to the chainring.

Finally got around to looking at the one laying around at work.

As stated to remove the chainrings you need to pull the circlip on the outside.

It took longer to find the awl than to remove the chainring.

Yeah, I can never remember if mine is kept with the metalworking tools or with the screwdrivers. Sheesh.

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You are correct! The Integer II in Dedhed's first pic has a circlip - That is not the Integer II set that I am working on. If you look at my very first pic in my first post you'll see it's a star configuration used on mid-80's Ross bicycles, not the heavier, overwrought multi-circle configuration used on older Schwinn bikes (with the 28 TPI crankset) that you and dedhed are messing around with (sorry). The star-type Integer II does not have a circlip seated within the housing. I have both types side-by-side now. Again, my very first post shows the star type Integer II very clearly. I believe the add'l parts shown replaced the circlip function, notice the three rings/washers set with the new replacement, none of which are gapped. This is a lighter, faster Integer II configuration for a 24 TPI crank.

Nope. That is That is not the Integer II set that I am working on. If you look at my very first pic in my first post you'll see it's a star configuration used on mid-80's Ross bicycles, not the heavier, overwrought multi-circle configuration used on older Schwinn bikes (with the 28 TPI crankset) that you are messing around with (sorry). The star-type Integer II does not have a circlip seated within the housing. I have both types side-by-side now. Again, my very first post shows the star type Integer II very clearly. I believe the add'l parts shown replaced the circlip function, notice the three rings/washers set with the new replacement, none of which are gapped. This is a lighter, faster Integer II configuration for a 24 TPI crank.

I obtained a boxed 1981 Shimano TL-FF10 FFS Removal Tool per posted picture on 5-31 @ 08:44 PM. Thanks, question answered. Please consider this thread closed and unsubscribed.