I have '94 Stumpjumper. I'm trying to remove the cassette. I bought a Park Tool removal tool and so far, I'm a big ol' failure at cassette removal.

The whole drivetrain is Deore XT, and AFAIK, the cassette is original equipment.

The splines on the tool seem to line up correctly with the locknut, but won't really grab hold. It will catch, but just barely. I can't get enough of a bite to loosen the locknut.

The tool was from Nashbar, and was indicated for Shimano (FR-1.2).

From this limited info, can you say whether I got the wrong tool, I have a jacked-up locknut, or I shouldn't wrench on bikes without adult supervision?

.
...I can only tell you that the tool needs to drop in farther than you describe. It's either the wrong tool or there's some obstruction in the ring teeth or inside where it needs to drop in. Is this one of the tools with a pilot pin, or is it just like a regular freewheel tool (no pin) ?

Sometimes you need to coax those babies a little with some love and stronger emotion to get them in there where they need to be.


(I reread that, and it sounds dirty. )

The FR-1.2 is a freewheel remover, if you have a cassette you need a cassette lockring remover. You probably need an FR-5 or equivalent.

There's no pin; it's basically just a socket.

It seems to be the right tool, but it just aaaallllllmost locks in.

I thought about a little coaxing, but I tend to go gorilla and break stuff.

Well, crap. I guess I'll put the sledgehammer down and order FR-5.

Thanks for the info.

Use the QR to hold the cassett tool in place. Put the cassett tool on, then slide the QR into it's usual place and tighten it up as usual. Don't gorilla it! You can actually use an old QR.

Okay, I tried this, and it still slipped.

I'm afraid I just got the wrong tool.

Thanks for the tip.

Got one of these on the way. Thanks.

Had the tool NOT slipped, you would have jammed the tool against the skewer so tight, you'd probably have to screw the lock ring back in a few clicks to release the skewer.
Leave the skewer 1/3 turn loose and try to initially back off the lock ring a LITTLE BIT.
Readjust the skewer & repeat. You'll get the idea once you do it.

If it's a cassette don't you need a chain whip too? Maybe you have one, but it wasn't mentioned in your OP.

Edited to add: I'm a noob mechanic too, but I have successfully removed and installed a few cassettes on mid 90s MTBs

I made my first chainwhip. It is around somewhere.

But, the imported ones are quite cheap now.

Yes, I have a chain whip. I guess I didn't mention it because it's functioning fine.

Have you removed all of the nuts on the axle 'cept the cone? You may not be seated all the way in.
Any pics?

Shimano freewheel removers and cassette lockring tools are very similar in appearance but are not identical and don't work well interchangeably.

Yes. There's nothing between the lockring and me but space and opportunity.

Unfortunately, my iPhone and this site get along worse than my lockring and my FR-1. I'll keep trying.

Yeah, I'm learning that. It's soooooooo close, but not quite right.

Hang in there dude, we're all pullin for ya!

Well, thankya. Appearances aside, I'm not completely inept mechanically. On the other hand, I'm not completely ept, either.

This is is a project bike that I'm not in a screaming hurry to get finished, so I have time to wait for tools and parts. I'm just hoping it's worth it in the end. I think it will be.

//snip

Apt, not ept.
Latin much?

...I took five years of Latin in high school. Fortunately, it did not completely destroy my enjoyment of English language puns.

...welcome to the club.


...what I said before.

My apologies for resurrecting a dead thread, but I just wanted to give a big ol' internet "attaboy" to those who offered advice.

Got the proper tool for the job, and the cassette removal went smoothly. I'm well on my way to either a cleaner, better performing bike or a random pile of assorted parts.

In any case, thanks.

Congrats, and Youtube is your friend. Chances are anything you are trying to do, Park Tool has a video on how to do it.