Man, I hate French freewheels

[us56456712]

French freewheels had narrow slots so the groves often rounded out when you tried to remove them. The Japanese put them out of business by improving the depth of the grooves the removal tool fit in plus they had a better cog tooth design that shifted smoother. Today I tried to remove a 70s Rigda freewheel. Of course it stripped. I then tried my tried and true method of grinding down a bolt head and pounding it into the freewheel hole where you would normally insert the removal tool. That just slipped, first time this didn't work. I then welded the bolt head to the freewheel and put it in a vice and cranked on the wheel. Wow, the bolt broke. Now I have to cut out the spokes and throw away the Shimano hub and freewheel. I can save the hoop. They deserved to go out of business. Rant, rant, rant. I can't ever remember not being to somehow remove a freewheel, probably couldn't at one time or another but rare.

 

[RustySprockets]

I feel 'ya, buddy. A trick I like to use at the shop is to place the removal tool on the freewheel, then secure it in position with the axle nut or a QR skewer. This helps hold the tool where it belongs and prevents slipping. Of course, one MUST remove the nut or skewer as soon as the freewheel breaks loose, otherwise binding will occur.

Did you initially try to get cluster off with a wrench? I almost always clamp the (secured) remover tool in a large bench vise give that wheel what-for. Sometimes, TWO pairs of hands are required. If you haven't tried this yet, you owe it to yourself to do so.


♫ He did it...my way. ♫

 

[us56456712]

Did all that. Used the bolt on the axle to hold the tool and put it my bench vice. It was really tight, obviously.

 

[us56456712]

I finally got that POS French freewheel off. I welded the freewheel to the cogs with a ton of built up gob welding. I put the cogs in my vice and tried to spin the wheel. The large cog stripped inside so the smaller cogs just turned. I put it back in the vice holding the small cog and it came off. Wow! I didn't want the French freewheel anyway so all is good in the universe again.

 

[NoControl]

Nasty!

 

[Indyjps]

Good work, Ive ground the teeth off to create flats and put it in a vice. Cut the outer rings off and clamped the inner in a vice.

The heat from the welding may have been what freed it up.