Tool question

[chillyuk]

I have all the tools needed to remove freewheels, cranks and bottom brackets. I have been looking at removing cassettes that sit on freehubs, something I have never done. It seems that the extractors come in two flavours (for Shimano). One has a spike sticking out and one doesn't. Is the protuding spike simply to centre the tool if you have a hollow axle and the ones without the spike for nutted axles? Apart from this are both types the same. Can the extractor without the spike be used on both types of axle?

 

[2Loose]

Yes, the protruding spike helps keep the tool square (if you have a removable QR spindle). If you use the one without a spike, it can be quite awkward to keep the tool flush and straight, but it is ultimately the same tool.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

If you are talking about Shimano splined tools, the one with the centering spike is usually "sold" as a cassette removal tool while the one without (but with a hole instead) as a freewheel removal tool. You will find that a) they have the same splines and b) you can indeed use the latter to remove any modern Shimano cassette.

One should use a rear quick release skewer to hold the tool without the centering spike just snuggish (but not tight) against the cassette lock ring to stop the tool popping out when pushing down on the spanner.

 

[chillyuk]

Thank you for the info.
RecordAceFromNew..are you saying that I could use my existing Shimano freewheel extractor to remove Shimano cassettes as well? if so I didn't realise they used the same tool.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Thank you for the info.
RecordAceFromNew..are you saying that I could use my existing Shimano freewheel extractor to remove Shimano cassettes as well? if so I didn't realise they used the same tool.

That is correct chillyuk. The first one below is often sold as a freewheel tool, and has exactly the same fit for the 12 Shimano splines as the second, which is often sold as a cassette tool.

Depending on the specific hub sometimes one may find the tool blocked from engaging the splines of the cassette lockring deeply and securely, in that case the QR skewer trick is particularly useful to ensure it doesn't slip.

 

[chillyuk]

Thanks again RAFN. Very enlightening.