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Freewheel Removal (HELP)

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Old 08-21-10 | 01:16 PM
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From: Somewhere Between The Beginning And The End
Freewheel Removal (HELP)

I've tried to remove this freewheel with no luck and feel I might be missing something. I put the removal tool on and it will not turn, and wonder if there is a lock ring holding it.

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Old 08-21-10 | 01:26 PM
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Freewheels gets screwed on by pedalling torque, so getting them off ca be a challenge.
tip #1 is to stick the puller in a vise bolted to a bench bolted to the wall/floor. Then grab the wheel as if you're driving a bus and go at it.
tip#2 is to lock the puller in place with a wheel nut, support the wheel against a wall, get the tallest tool you have and go at it. Remember to back the axle nut off as soon as the freewheel has started moving.
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Old 08-21-10 | 01:30 PM
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From: Somewhere Between The Beginning And The End
I'll tell you, I have a breaker bar on this thing and put everything I've into it and it won't move. I've been a auto mechanic for over twenty years and have yet to find a bolt I can't turn. I just feel I'm going to break something if I push any harder.
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Old 08-21-10 | 02:40 PM
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I just had to get the exact same freewheel off a 30 yr old bike. It was on there GOOD. I used Tip #1 from the first reply post... I really had to crank on it, and when it did finally come loose it felt like something was breaking (but nothing did... it was just really on there.) Make sure the vice is really secured first (I ripped mine right off the bench the first time).

Make sure you axel nut is not tight, its only used to keep the remover tool from slipping. So it should be against the remover tool, but there should still be play in the remover tool. And like it says above, once it does start to turn, take the axel bolt off.

I also let some chain oil soak into it.
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Old 08-21-10 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Capecodder
I'll tell you, I have a breaker bar on this thing and put everything I've into it and it won't move. I've been a auto mechanic for over twenty years and have yet to find a bolt I can't turn. I just feel I'm going to break something if I push any harder.
A breaker bar won't help because the reaction force is limited to your ability to hold the rim. for practical purposes the longest wrench possible is one equal to the radius of the wheel, after that there's no added leverage gained.

Bolt the remover on tight, because if it jumps you'll break a dog off, and put it in a vise, then you can use both hands on the rim at 3 and 9 o'clock and turn it to the left. Don't wimp out if you hear some spokes pinging or other nasty sounds, torque it until it lets go. Then immediately back the nut off to allow the freewheel to move out. Failure to give it room will result in destroying the axle or bearing.

BTW- if your vise is on a swivel base, swivel it all the way to the left before starting, lest it slip under load.
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Old 08-21-10 | 03:16 PM
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Dont feel bad about not being able to get it off, I'm a car mechanic too and bike parts take the cake.. I would take it to a shop, alot of shops should do it for $5-$10,, they have a big vice, an assortment of removal tools, and they'll know for sure if it has a lockring, also alot of shops are gonna have like custom made 4' long pry bars that made for removing **** like this, good luck
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Old 08-21-10 | 04:47 PM
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A good mechanic has a hammer. Hit the wrench with it and iot will come loose enough to remove with the wrench.
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Old 08-21-10 | 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by davidad
A good mechanic has a hammer. Hit the wrench with it and iot will come loose enough to remove with the wrench.
If you follow this advice, don't be surprised if one of the dogs shears off. You want a zero impact torque.
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Old 08-21-10 | 05:31 PM
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From: Somewhere Between The Beginning And The End
WOW..... It came off after much force. I can't beleive how tight that thing was, and I was ready call all of you liars LOL. Seriously though, I have never felt anything that small be so tight, I really thought there was something else holding in on. Thanks for the help.....
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Old 08-21-10 | 11:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Capecodder
WOW....Seriously though, I have never felt anything that small be so tight,
You've never been to Bangkok, have you?
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Old 08-22-10 | 01:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Capecodder
WOW..... It came off after much force. I can't beleive how tight that thing was.....
There's a thread on another forum where a guy to his luck found a storm drain grating where the puller fitted between the bars. He'd dragged his work bench all over the place w/o getting anywhere. The storm drain did the trick though.

Originally Posted by Capecodder
Seriously though, I have never felt anything that small be so tight, I really thought there was something else holding in on. ...
Well, if you look at the diameter of the thread, it actually equals a rather serious bolt. Then with the fine thread there's plenty of surface area.
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