Removing a stuck lock ring

[Sheffield_Tiger]

I find the best way to deal with these is to find someone with an impact gun, the type used by tyre fitters etc. It is a shame you are not closer as I would happily remove it for you.

Will have to try that next time I get a tough one, I have an impact gun from my days towbar fitting, never thought of taking it near a bike. Now I think about it, would be good for using the M16 Bolt & locknuts method of removing old-style b/b fixed cups

 

[screenman]

Will have to try that next time I get a tough one, I have an impact gun from my days towbar fitting, never thought of taking it near a bike. Now I think about it, would be good for using the M16 Bolt & locknuts method of removing old-style b/b fixed cups

I must be honest and say that I was shown the trick by a very skilled bike mechanic and frame builder, Barron Cycles for anyone near Lincoln. I had one that was refusing to budge using all the normal and some paranormal methods, so he did it in a few seconds. Bit embarrassing seeing as I have a mechanical background along with compressor and gun here in the garage.

 

[accountantpete]

Part of the problem is that the lockring binds with the small sprocket.

One "last resort" trick is to hacksaw carefully through a spacer - taking care not to go through and cut into the freehub.

Once removed that last sprocket can be pushed away from the lockring and stops it contributing to the resistance

 

[Cyclopathic]

I don't care about the cassette. I have another one waiting to be put on. I just don't want to damage the hub or anything else.

I'd try it then as you'd be well away from the hub.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I took the wheel into engineering workshop at the university and tried to loosen the lock ring by putting the bit in a vice and turning the wheel. Using the skewer to hold the bit in place, so it did not jump out, was a good idea. However, I still could not turn it. I got one of the technicians on the job and he couldn't turn it neither. He tried sawing the lock ring with a hack saw and it just slid over. Then I got him to use an angle grinder on it. Eventually he got it off, although he had to angle grind away virtually all the lock ring first. There is a little bit of wear on the spindle, but I don't think it is important. The hub is undamaged.

 

[Cyclopathic]

I took the wheel into engineering workshop at the university and tried to loosen the lock ring by putting the bit in a vice and turning the wheel. Using the skewer to hold the bit in place, so it did not jump out, was a good idea. However, I still could not turn it. I got one of the technicians on the job and he couldn't turn it neither. He tried sawing the lock ring with a hack saw and it just slid over. Then I got him to use an angle grinder on it. Eventually he got it off, although he had to angle grind away virtually all the lock ring first. There is a little bit of wear on the spindle, but I don't think it is important. The hub is undamaged.

Good news. I am especially pleased that it was the angle grinder idea that did it.

 

[StuUngar]

Hilarious - had the same problem on a bike I bought at auction. Tried some penetrating oil, hammers - absolutely locked tight. I knew that the only way I'd be able to get it was with a vice - it was like it had been welded in there!

I didn't bother in the end as I would have had to spend out on a vice & then mount it very securely. Quite surprised that your LBS couldn't do it though. I'd have thought a strong well secured vice would be a necessity if repairing bikes professionally?

 

[marcusjb]

Good to hear you succeeded. Any fettling involving an angle grinder, is good fettling!

 

[02GF74]

the only thing that is stopping the tool going further in is the spacer/nut on the axle.

if you can get a socket onto the nut cassette side, then undo the nuts on the non-drive side, you should be able to remove the axle. Reapply the lockring tool and job done.

By the way, there are different variants of the lock ring tool - the two I have differ by the diameter of the inner recess - I have found that Shimano tool, which also has a central rod that goes into the hollow axle is the best.