Removing a stuck freewheel

[Wester]

I have been trying to remove a freewheel from a wheel with no success it is stuck solid no movement whatsoever . I have been trying to turn it in a anti - clockwise direction which I guess is the correct way any tips on how to do the job . I do not have a bench vice to put it in so that is not a option

 

[tyred]

Anti-clockwise is correct. They tighten as you pedal which is why they can be difficult to get off.

Do you have the correct tool for the freewheel? If so, ideally you should be able to use the axle nut or QR to hold it in place to allow the use of plenty of force with a long spanner without the injury risk of the tool slip[ping off. Get someone to hold the wheel upright on the ground and hit the spanner hard in an anti-clockwaise direction with a hammer as shock tactics often work for stuck threads.

If you don't have the correct tool, all you can really do is find someone who does, try it with a hammer and blunt chisel (you may wreck the freewheel doing this) or else dismantle the freewheel and find someone with a bench vice to grip the body and use the wheel as a lever. Dismantle carefully and watch to not grip the crucial parts in the vice jaws and you can rebuild and re-use the block after doing this if you rebuild it again.

I (personally) wouldn't use a blowtorch to heat a wheel hub. Bearing races are case hardened etc. You could cause irreparable but unseen damage.

 

[Neilsmith]

Some kind of lubrication and a longer handle on a tool to give you more leverage are usually the best options when something is stuck fast. The other option heat has been pointed out probably not the best option here.

 

[Tim Hall]

Another way of applying extra/enough leverage is to clamp the tool in a vice, then turn (or attempt to turn) the wheel.

 

[nickyboy]

Ah right, thanks. I am a complete novice at this kind of thing but I have a stuck freewheel to deal with at some point this winter (it's a learning bike mechanics project, kind of).

I spy a fettler for the Llandudno ride (subject to you coming that is)

 

[Tim Hall]

Ah right, thanks. I am a complete novice at this kind of thing but I have a stuck freewheel to deal with at some point this winter (it's a learning bike mechanics project, kind of).

TMN, is yours a freewheel or a freehub? The difference is explained here.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Lots of leverage is all I can suggest. Big plumbers wrench thingy? Be very careful everything is firmly engaged before applying lots of force to prevent slips and injuries. And if that fails, then find someone who does have access to a vice. A bike shop shouldn't charge the earth for this.

 

[MichaelW2]

I borrowed a bench vice from a backstreet car repair shop. They let me use it to rotate off a stuck freewheel.
If you use a vice, gravity is on your side, so you don't need to fasten to removal tool to the freewheel using axle nuts.

 

[Karlt]

I broke a bench vice this way.

 

[screenman]

A good quality impact gun is my chosen weapon.

 

[gbb]

A good quality impact gun is my chosen weapon.

Never had one when I have removed freewheels...but thats a bloomin good Idea....

 

[screenman]

Never had one when I have removed freewheels...but thats a bloomin good Idea....

I have removed plenty without one, but not any more.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I usually use an extending car wheel nut wrench as I don't have a bench vice - works okay. The freewheel usually releases with quite an impressive bang that sounds like something has just broken. (Except for the one occasion when the bang really was half a dozen spokes letting go on a cheap wheel )

 

[Profpointy]

I broke a bench vice this way.

'kinell that takes some doing !

 

[Wester]

[QUOTE 4010129, member: 45"]I have one in the shed that has resisted everything. If you get it sorted let me know how.[/QUOTE]

I got it sorted

I had tried giving the spanner on the freewheel a couple of sharp blows with a hammer while trying to hold the wheel steady with my feet with no success . I then put the wheel in a upright position against the step of a concrete stairs which was like holding the wheel in a bench vice then gave the spanner a couple of sharp blows with the hammer again and the freewheel came of no problem strange but true