Shimano XC Cassette - Removal Tool/Technique

[Bromptonaut]

I have a Claud Butler Ravana ATX MTB purchased c2002. Standard piece of kit with 27" wheels 21 gears (3*7) and rim V-Brakes.

Hubs are Quando and run fine with occasional regrease and adjustment.

My problem now is with the cassette/freehub. On Saturday, while on a ride on muddy towpaths the freewheel, more or less locked up. Improved with lubrication but there's audible grinding either within the freehub or between the cassette and the hub surface. I need to get the cassette off but cannot work out how or what tool to use.

There's no fitting for the usual splined/castellated removal tool. What appears to be the lockring has slots on its outer edges (see picture) but all I have that will go near then is a rather puny C-spanner intended for old fashioned BB lockrings.

Can anybody suggest and appropriate tool/technique for removal?

Thanks in anticipation

Simon

 

[Ajax Bay]

Isn't that a freewheel you have? Need a 'freewheel' tool which is very like a 'normal' cassette lockring tool, but not the same.
Be warned this will very likely be a b*****d to get off (after 18 years). Once you've obtained the small tool, the best way to achieve 'lift off' is to lock the tool in a vice and fit the freewheel block onto the tool with [Edit (thank you @I like Skol ] the axis of the wheel horizontal (so gravity is holding the splines into the freewheel). Then use the wheel with tyre on it, still, (for grip) as a massive lever to unscrew - and apply torque the RIGHT way round (NB with the tool upside down).
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/determining-cassette-freewheel-type
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html

 

[I like Skol]

the best way to achieve 'lift off' is to lock the tool in a vice and fit the freewheel block onto the tool with the axis of the bike frame horizontal (so gravity is holding the splines together). Then use the frame as a massive lever -

Think you might be getting mixed up with bottom bracket removal? Freewheel removal just involves turning the wheel against the tool.

 

[Cycleops]

You can remove it without a special tool but it involves destroying the freewheel. As yours sounds like it might be past its best it might not be such a bad idea.

Get a centre punch and put it in the little dimples of the locking ring and using a hammer hit the head of the punch undoing it clockwise. Once removed you can lift off the freewheel cogs and a load of ballbearings will fall out.
You can then use a pipe wrench or mole grip to remove the body.

BTW if you're going to be ordering tyres you'll need 26" not 27" as you stated

 

[fossyant]

Looks like a freewheel with changeable sprockets (quite rare). I'd try and get/borrow a removal tool - not the lock ring, but there should be splines on the inside of the freewheel near the axel.

 

[Bromptonaut]

Isn't that a freewheel you have? Need a 'freewheel' tool which is very like a 'normal' cassette lockring tool, but not the same.
Be warned this will very likely be a b*****d to get off (after 18 years). Once you've obtained the small tool, the best way to achieve 'lift off' is to lock the tool in a vice and fit the freewheel block onto the tool with [Edit (thank you @I like Skol ] the axis of the wheel horizontal (so gravity is holding the splines together). Then use the wheel with tyre on it, still, (for grip) as a massive lever to unscrew - and apply torque the RIGHT way round (NB with the tool upside down).
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/determining-cassette-freewheel-type
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html

Thanks @Ajax Bay that was the answer. I'd looked at the Park Tools vid but misread what I was seeing. Actually had the right tool all the time.

Still cannot get the beggar off though.

 

[I like Skol]

You are turning it the correct way aren't you? A freewheel is a 'normal' thread, so with the tool in a vice and the wheel dropped into it cog side down you would need to turn the wheel 'left' or anti-clockwise.

 

[Bromptonaut]

You are turning it the correct way aren't you? A freewheel is a 'normal' thread, so with the tool in a vice and the wheel dropped into it cog side down you would need to turn the wheel 'left' or anti-clockwise.

I turned it that way instinctively but will admit that when it didn't shift I had a moment's self doubt and was playing about with the tool, wheel and vice to be 100% certain.

 

[fossyant]

Make yourself a 6 foot spanner. I wedged a garden hoe onto the end of the adjustable spanner which was attached to the freewheel remover tool. The hoe is still 'squashed' at the handle end, just in-case I ever need another huge spanner again !

 

[Bromptonaut]

Finally shifted it with the help of the other half. It's now reposed in a bath of white spirit to dissolve gunk etc.