Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
- psycodiver1
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Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby psycodiver1 » Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:08 pm
In order to put in some new spokes I have to remove the cassette on my back wheel.
It is not the 'cassette' system but the freewheel system because the tool fitting doesn't rotate as the sprockets spin.
I got all the tools to remove my cassette and tried doing it today but failed.
I was instructed to get a chain whip but so far it seems it has no use because the cassette doesn't move in the other direction when I'm trying to get the lock ring off.
But in any case, the lock ring will not budge for some reason.
I suspect its on very tightly. (The bike is only about 4-5 years old.)
I've been searching for ways to remove it and found these two ideas on YouTube:
In this one the guy uses a giant bar for leverage. I'll think I'll have problems finding a bar like this and I suspect it only has a low chance of working.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVCOjZ4 ... TheBikeGuy
This idea is a bit better, putting the lock ring in a vice horizontally and then turning the wheel like a car's steering wheel to get the lock ring off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2geANv ... onkeyShred
This might be an option for me, my local bike store might have a vice and might do it for me but, I would like to keep this option for last.
Here's a couple of pics I have of the cassette stuck on: https://imgur.com/a/BTVY1pl
Any help or advice to help get it off?
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Re: Cassette Stuck on tightly
Postby chriso_29er » Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:17 pm
In other words tightening it.
The chain whip needs to be set up to counteract the ratcheting of the freehub. Then unwind the lock-ring against the chain whip.
- psycodiver1
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby psycodiver1 » Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:19 pm
Could be that I have a non-standard freewheel?
In any case, I will wait a few more days before trying the other direction in case of new information.
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby chriso_29er » Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:30 pm
I think Shimano usually have an arrow on what way to tighten and at what tightness.
And yes, looking at the setup from the drive side;
Freewheel will lock going clockwise.
Lock-ring is wound off anti-clockwise.
Freewheel will spin free if turned anti-clockwise (eg. back-pedaling). So needs to be held with the chain whip to undo the lock-ring.
- Duck!
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby Duck! » Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:21 pm
PS there is no lockring; you're removing the whole cluster in one unit.
- Thoglette
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby Thoglette » Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:05 pm
PS make sure it's the right one. Even then cheap machining can make it impossible to get it off with the "correct" tool. Don't ask me how I know
"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby chriso_29er » Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:25 pm
Disregard everything said lol.
PS looks a lot older than 3 or 4 years old?
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby piledhigher » Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:30 pm
Cheapish bikes still get that stuff, my sons mtb is a decent quality 24" bike with a 7 speed freewheel. He is unlikely to break the axle like I did on my last freewheel. And it has disc brakes!chriso_29er wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:25 pmI just finally saw your photos!
Disregard everything said lol.
PS looks a lot older than 3 or 4 years old?
- bychosis
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby bychosis » Tue Sep 15, 2020 7:52 am
It’s frustrating. My sons 24” bike also had a 7spd disc brake hub. It’s even more odd when the hub is the same spacing as the cassette option which makes it somewhat rare. I have no idea how much extra it would cost, but to be able to change gearing with cassette would be a big selling point IMO.piledhigher wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:30 pmCheapish bikes still get that stuff, my sons mtb is a decent quality 24" bike with a 7 speed freewheel. He is unlikely to break the axle like I did on my last freewheel. And it has disc brakes!chriso_29er wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:25 pmI just finally saw your photos!
Disregard everything said lol.
PS looks a lot older than 3 or 4 years old?
I ended up getting a new rim and lacing to an old cassette hub so it now has 9spd in the rear.
- psycodiver1
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby psycodiver1 » Thu Sep 17, 2020 6:34 pm
Put the lock ring removal tool in a vice and remove it like the person did in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2geANv ... onkeyShred
Problem is: I do not have a vice.
Are there any work-arounds?
Also, so it's confirmed that the freewheel comes off in a counter-clockwise direction?
I've had a couple of thoughts to get it off with the current tools I have:
Leave tyres on for grip
Spray it with WD40 beforehand
(They might help.)
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby Duck! » Thu Sep 17, 2020 8:34 pm
Put freewheel tool (it's actually slightly different to a cassette lockring tool, flatter spline profile), use quick release skewer or axle nut as applicable, done up loosely to stop the tool slipping out - you need a bit of slack to allow the cluster to unwind from the hub. You will need an assistand to firmly hold the wheel for you. Use the longest spanner (the necessary 22 or 24mm will be a sizeable unit anyway, and slip a length of pipe over it as an extension to gain valuable leverage - you will need lots of it!
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby psycodiver1 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:47 pm
I will make sure not to buy the freewheel type because they are near impossible to remove it seems.
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby psycodiver1 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:04 pm
Yes, it's different to a cassette lockring tool.Duck! wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 8:34 pmYes, anti-clockwise to unscrew.
Put freewheel tool (it's actually slightly different to a cassette lockring tool, flatter spline profile), use quick release skewer or axle nut as applicable, done up loosely to stop the tool slipping out - you need a bit of slack to allow the cluster to unwind from the hub. You will need an assistand to firmly hold the wheel for you. Use the longest spanner (the necessary 22 or 24mm will be a sizeable unit anyway, and slip a length of pipe over it as an extension to gain valuable leverage - you will need lots of it!
I don't have an assistant handy at the moment. But, I think I can keep the wheel steady
I have a long adjustable spanner, but no length of pipe handy.
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby psycodiver1 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:12 pm
Time to shop around for a cassette and not a freewheel.
And everything else that I might need, like a new back wheel, axle and so forth.
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby psycodiver1 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:25 pm
First thing I notice is that half the listings are calling them "Flywheels" problem is there's no such thing as a flywheel on an MTB.
2nd thing I noticed, they are all listed as 'cassettes' but are actually freewheels.
This one looks good: https://bike.shimano.com/en-AU/product/ ... G41-7.html
Problem is I don't know if it's the cassette type or the freewheel type. It looks visually similar to my current freewheel. Does anyone know?
Or can anyone recommend me a 7 speed (cogs) cassette. I would prefer Shimano.
Judging from the Australian Shimano website, they list them all under the category of "Cassette Sprockets"
They don't seem to mark a difference between the two types; freewheel or cassette.
I just contacted Shimano asking them to point out to me the cassettes (not freewheels) on their site, that should help.
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby ironhanglider » Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:31 pm
Don't give up so easily, try using the corner of a brick wall to stop the wheel rolling whilst you put some weight on the spanner.psycodiver1 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:12 pmOK I tried and it didn't come off.
Time to shop around for a cassette and not a freewheel.
And everything else that I might need, like a new back wheel, axle and so forth.
Cheers,
Cameron
- psycodiver1
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby psycodiver1 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 3:48 pm
Cheers,
Cameron"
Done that, still it's stuck on tighter than nuns #*$$*.
- psycodiver1
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby psycodiver1 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:08 pm
The lesson is; don't buy freewheels, as soon as they are new they will fuse to the wheel. Then if you need to replace a spoke like me, you'll have to replace the whole bike.
- psycodiver1
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby psycodiver1 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 5:19 pm
That's why a chain whip is normally used, to hold the cogs when you try and remove the freewheel.
But on mine, trying to unscrew the freewheel does not turn the cogs.
(Sorry if that's unclear.) I suspect my freewheel is some variation.
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby Duck! » Fri Sep 18, 2020 5:36 pm
- psycodiver1
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby psycodiver1 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 5:59 pm
Shimano replied to my inquiry pretty fast, they might actually be a responsible company.
I asked them for a list of all the 7 speed cassettes they sell and they gave me this:
CS-HG200 CASSETTE 12-28 7-SPEED ALTUS
CS-HG200 CASSETTE 12-32 7-SPEED ALTUS
CS-HG41 CASSETTE 11-28 7-SPEED ACERA
From looking at them it appears the first two are the same.
I probably will get the CS-HG41, it's pretty cheap on eBay only $31 from an Aussie seller.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Shimano-Ace ... ctupt=true
It says on the description: 11-28t (not too sure what that means?)
Next thing for me to do is to buy 2 lock ring removal tools for it (one spare.)
And a rear wheel that will fit it.
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby David Collier » Tue Oct 06, 2020 11:47 am
I need to replace my Shimano MF-TZ20 6-speed freewheel (on a KIA 'Soul 7' alloy folding bike now with a hub motor) with a closer ratio/higher geared one. I see some on epay.
Question: do all freewheels have the same thread so will fit my wheel?
Thanks & Regards
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby Duck! » Tue Oct 06, 2020 6:19 pm
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby caneye » Wed Oct 07, 2020 3:59 pm
I had a 10sp mtb cassette that was stuck (factory installed shimano cassette). couldn't remove it with my spindly arms. also snapped the chain whip doing it. finally threw in the towel and brought it to 99Bikes.
they had a go and almost gave up, but in the final attempt, it came loose.
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Re: Freewheel cassette stuck on tightly
Postby David Collier » Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:27 am
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