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Freewheel/cassette problem

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Old 07-10-16 | 02:00 AM
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Freewheel/cassette problem

Okay so my neighbor moved and gave me a road bike. As I was changing the intertubes the cassette/freewheel fell off.



How do I get the rest of it off and do new ones come with everything I need. Yes I know I will need a new chain.
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Old 07-10-16 | 04:21 AM
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Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.

That is a freewheel, and one uses a remover in the center, but not possible when apart. Remove the pawls, clamp in a strong vise, and turn the wheel counterclockwise.

No tool needed to install new one, but given the rough appearance make sure the hub bearings are OK first, so you don't waste your time and money.

Here's Sheldon's page on freewheels:Traditional Thread-on Freewheels
..and Park tool page on destructive removal (you can skip the preliminary steps): Freewheel - Destructive Removal | Park Tool

Last edited by cny-bikeman; 07-10-16 at 06:18 AM.
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Old 07-10-16 | 05:44 AM
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If you don't have the proper freewheel remover tool or a vice, you can often get the body off with a large pair of channel-lock pliers. The body will likely be damaged though. I'd just get a new freewheel and a new chain once this body is off.

If you have the 4 prong tool you can still use it to take off that body. A bike shop might remove it for you for a couple of $ if you can't get it off yourself.

Cheers
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Old 07-10-16 | 06:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Miele Man
If you don't have the proper freewheel remover tool or a vice, you can often get the body off with a large pair of channel-lock pliers. The body will likely be damaged though. I'd just get a new freewheel and a new chain once this body is off. If you have the 4 prong tool you can still use it to take off that body. A bike shop might remove it for you for a couple of $ if you can't get it off yourself.

Cheers
Well, the OP did not know if it was freewheel or cassette, so he is not going to have the tool, and a bike shop is not going to risk damaging their tool, as there's nothing to keep it centered properly when the freewheel is disassembled. They would use the same method as I recommended.
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Old 07-10-16 | 07:11 AM
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Old 07-10-16 | 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by cny-bikeman
Well, the OP did not know if it was freewheel or cassette, so he is not going to have the tool, and a bike shop is not going to risk damaging their tool, as there's nothing to keep it centered properly when the freewheel is disassembled. They would use the same method as I recommended.
I've removed many such freewheel bodies without damaging the tool.

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Old 07-10-16 | 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Miele Man
I've removed many such freewheel bodies without damaging the tool.

Cheers
Well I'm happy for you, but I find it a bit unlikely that you have removed "many such freewheel bodies" - meaning a notched type with only the center remaining - using a freewheel tool. I worked as a mechanic for over 20 years, and in that time I had relatively few occasions where I had to destructively remove a freewheel, and almost none where only the body remained when it was brought in. The notched style remover depends on the outer ring/cone to hold it centered, so it's risky to use the tool when only the core remains. Besides that, it's silly to do so when it's quicker as well as safer to just put it in the vise.
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Old 07-10-16 | 08:14 AM
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There isn't enough of the nut left for the tool to grab onto. Sorry I should have gotten a better picture of it.


So I just need to grab on to what's left of the freewheel assembly and get if off the hub. Then check the hub bearing for smooth operation, possibly taking it apart and cleaning/relubbing.

I will go and see if I can find info on the rims or hub to help find a new free wheel.

Thanks
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Old 07-10-16 | 08:46 AM
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it looks like if you pull the axle, a piece of bar stock that fits in the slots could be placed in a vice. the wheel dropped on the bar stock and turned.
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Old 07-10-16 | 09:30 AM
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That one notch you see in the picture is the only intact notch.
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Old 07-10-16 | 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by dr1445
it looks like if you pull the axle, a piece of bar stock that fits in the slots could be placed in a vice. the wheel dropped on the bar stock and turned.
Again, no need to get fancy - just clamp the bottom of the core in a vise and turn, or a long pipe wrench would indeed also work.
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Old 07-10-16 | 11:38 AM
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The 2nd picture is the guts of a torn or fell apart freewheel

bring the wheel to a Bike shop, they will have a Bench Vise to hold what's left,
so to uncrew the wheel from it, and sell you a Brand new freewheel, and Chain.
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Old 07-10-16 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Redman88
I will go and see if I can find info on the rims or hub to help find a new free wheel.
Not a problem.
The overwhelming majority of hubs share the same thread, so the odds are very good that all you need to do is to match the number of speeds and you're all set.
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Old 07-10-16 | 02:35 PM
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Agree . British RH thread is world standard , 1.370"x 24tpi (34.8mmx1.058 t/mm)

same thread as the adjustable BB cup on the left side of the frame
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Old 07-10-16 | 06:10 PM
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Well the only bike shop that we had closed down close to 15 years ago. Next closest one is at least 200 miles away. Thanks for the help.
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Old 07-10-16 | 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Redman88
Well the only bike shop that we had closed down close to 15 years ago. Next closest one is at least 200 miles away. Thanks for the help.
You might be able to get it off with the use of a large channellock pliers or a plumbing pipe wrench. that body screws off counter-clockwise. If you don't have either of those tools or if you can't get it off with them almost any garage will either let you put it in a vice and break the body loose or they'll do it for you either free or for a couple of bucks. That is if you don't a have a decent size vice mounted on a sturdy bench.

Cheers
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Old 07-10-16 | 11:42 PM
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I have a decent vice from my father in laws welding shop. Plus his shop if needed.
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