I guess I could just try tapping with a screw driver or a punch, or, try using the Hozan tool for notched headsets but I thought I'd ask Incase I damaged the locking nuts.

What is the correct tool for these Suntour hubs?






​​​

If it helps, I think they're Suntour XC.

I think this is it:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25606678297...Z9esBgVHDOx8WU

There is a tool for 4-pronged Suntour freewheels but not sure if it would be correct in this instance.

Yeah, I know. Real helpful. 🙄

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i would use the VAR lock ring pliers Nr. 16


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Maybe this one?:
Suntour TA260 Hub Tool

I have the VAR tool so I'll try it "carefully".

Trying to find the correct tool might take some doing. Might get one for "next time".

Thank you all

As jiangshi said above, the Suntour TA260 is the correct tool.

Gets better.

I have the VAR 13, not the 16!🤬
​​​​​​Local man has one so I'll bike over and borrow it.
He doesn't have the correct tool either..

WGB
I have the right tool.
PM me your addy and I will send it out to you.
When you're done with it you can send it back.
Unless a better option comes your way.
Rick

[MENTION=188117]OTS[/MENTION]

I'll pm you tonight. I search and see if anyone local has one and report back

Thank you

Duplicate post

No, that's the tool to adjust New Winner freewheels.
The tool for the XC hubs is this one:

The tool I have is the Suntour NWN which I thought, after the the first few posts, was the correct tool.
It turns out it is a freewheel adjustment tool.
After reading additional posts to this thread it turns out I DON'T have the correct tool.
ARRRRRRRGH
Sorry
Old guy trying to be helpful mistake.
After rooting around my tools I found another Suntour tool that I have no idea if it will work.
The search continues.
This is the other Suntour tool I found and I am NOT sure it will be helpful to you.



The business end

[MENTION=188117]OTS[/MENTION] - Maybe someone here will recognize. Does this last tool have a Suntour model number? if so mr. Google might know it's purpose

Edit: believe it's a Suntour BB tool. Question is would it engage the seals on my hubs...**********

No, that's the tool for SunTour bottom bracket cartridges.

Unlike Shimano, SunTour, unfortunately, didn't see fit to mark the tool with the part number.

Found it, in a SunTour dealer catalog: TA230:



The correct tool for the XC hubs is the TA260.

[MENTION=20548]JohnDThompson[/MENTION]

I had hoped it might work in lieu of finding the TA 260.
It seems I must find the correct tool . Might post a wanna buy on the sales thread. Frustrating that I got a nice 36/40 hole touring wheel set and can't ride them, but the one wheel seems stiff when it spins so better to wait.

I liked your idea of a screwdriver and a mallet.
You could fix it, and still be able to do it again at least three more times.
That should take the wheel set into the next century.

You can get it apart without the tool. Just hold one locknut and unscrew the other. Then you can unscrew the aluminum cap with the adjustable metal sleeve with your fingers. If it's difficult to turn you should be able to just lift off the aluminum cap and use a wrench on the adjustable sleeve underneath. It's difficult to set the end play without the TA 260 to hold the adjustable sleeve while you tighten the lock nut. Maybe a bit of blue Loctite on the adjustable sleeve would hold the adjustment enough while you tightened the locknut. All you really need to do is hold the aluminum cap while you tighten the lock nut. I would not try to use any tool that could damage the cap. These are really nice hubs.

Update: I went to a local mechanic who tried the VAR 16 with a wrench and then a socket, neither could turn as they jammed against the VAR 16 which moved it's pins.



Option 2

He tried a Park Pin Spanner - BLUE ONE! (Believe it's the SPA-1)



Next step



Sorry for the blurred photo!

Worked perfectly. This is just a fancy dust cap and holding it still allows the nut to turn. To remove the sealed bearing you follow the standard procedure for removing a hub bearing once the axle is out and the bearing exposed.

In this case, it turns out the dust caps were on too tight and after they were properly adjusted the bearings spun perfectly.

Victory!

Still want that TA 260 "just to have one...."

Thanks for posting a follow-up.

I've got a number of Suntour tools. Just for my edification, do you mind measuring the ID and width of the slots on that dust cap?

I measured mine: diameter at bottom of slots: 0.828 - 0.831 (inches)
width of slots: 0.194 - 0.198 (inches)

I think those blue Park slot spanners are hard to find too. I have the green and red pin spanners but have not been able to find the blue one.

[MENTION=386860]Hobbiano[/MENTION] - You beat me to the measuring!

And as for the blue park tool being hard to find? That is the first law of bike tools. IF YOU NEED IT, THEY DON"T MAKE IT ANY MORE AND NO ONE HAS ONE TO LOAN YOU OR SELL TO YOU!