TOOL FIXES! Bike specific or otherwise.

[LukeTheJoker]

A comment was made on a thread where a grinder had died and been resurrected that maybe a "How To" on repairing tools would be a good idea on the forum, so here it is!

I will add a post on the grinder brush replacement next time I have it apart, but in the meantime feel free to contribute any cheap fixes that helps with our bicycle hobby.

Luke.

 

[Gdcast]

Very thankful Luke, this will be very helpful for all of us!!!

 

[jerrykr]

Luke - I would also like to see any bike-specific tools you have created in addition to tool repairs. Thanks!

 

[patman73]

i seen some people have made their own bearing cup press from all tread ,fender washers & 2 nuts on bolth ends

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Luke - I would also like to see any bike-specific tools you have created in addition to tool repairs. Thanks!

Easiest and best tool I have made is a cone tool, I have had a few different bought ones, most I find are too weak and bend easily, or too short for leverage over cones that are stuck tight, so the easiest solution is to make one from some 1/8"/3mm flat bar:

Simply measure the size of the cone flats you need, carefully cut that size into the end of the flat bar and away you go!

I have been using this for over a year now with no issues, it has a 14mm size on one end and 15mm on the other, works great, breaks apart the really locked ones with no issues too!

Luke.

 

[deven_science]

What "cones" are you referring to?

 

[patman73]

What "cones" are you referring to?

axle cone for you wheel bearings

 

[LukeTheJoker]

What "cones" are you referring to?

Do they call them something else over there? Cones is all I have ever heard them referred to as...

Luke.

 

[whitefiretiger]

Do they call them something else over there? Cones is all I have ever heard them referred to as...

Luke.

They are cones or bearing cones.

I've been thinking about making my own cone wrench for a while but keep putting it off and just making due with what I have.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Thought I would share my modified BBB freewheel remover, I really wanted the Park Tools one when I went to buy this, but they were all out, the advantage with the Park one is that it can be used without removing the axle from the hub, but it has the disadvantage of having no handle, you need to use a big spanner or put it in a vice.

Here is a worse case wheel for demonstration:

Rusty, dirty, locked up...

Here is my modified tool, I basically ground off the riveted backside of the centre locating pin and punched it out, then drilled the centre hole to clear a 10mm axle, the BBB remover is not actually meant for this size freewheel, so also had to shave a little off the raised teeth:

Now it can slide right over the locknuts and axle and into the locking teeth, you can also add the axle nut behind it if you are worried about it slipping out:

A quick tap with a hammer and some elbow grease and it is off:

This is the easiest tool I have ever used, if I ever had to replace it, I would do the same again, or buy the Park and weld a handle to it...

Luke.

 

[whitefiretiger]

Nifty freewheel remover.

Here is mine

Simple and cheap; very cheap.

EBay special $1.49 free shipping from china removal tool.

And a cheap 15/16" China wrench from the pawn shop .50¢ tool bins.

4+ years and still going strong.

 

[OneHorsePower]

is it the same adaptor for all schwinn cassets ? i always wanted one , but i been told there is like 20 different kind of adaptors and i always have to go to the lbs to get them removed , ($_$)

 

[whitefiretiger]

I've only ever seen 3 adapters.
The most common one being the one I have.
I need to get a different one for the suntour freewheel on my mbbo bike spacespyder as if I need it off again I will be Sol.
Tho other style I've seen is on bmx freewheels.
I'm sure there's others but I've yet to see them.

Just get them off ebay ; they are very cheap for the China ones like I have (its surprising how strong it is too; I've had to put all my 230lbs of weight on the wrench before to get some off and it didn't break

 

[LukeTheJoker]

There is a difference between freewheel clusters and cassettes, so one will not work on the other.

A Shimano type multi speed freewheel remover will remove probably 90% of the MTB/Box store freewheel clusters out there, newer or higher end stuff use cassettes, which are different, also anything French is different too...

Luke.

 

[whitefiretiger]

Good point Luke I always forget about free hub but then again I never keep anything that uses them lol (too modern for me)

I think you hit the nail on the head I need a adapter for French freewheels.

 

[RustySprockets]

I've posted this elsewhere, but it fits right in with the new topic. A $5 pair of HF pliers, with all but the front tooth filed away, makes a killer adjustable lock-ring remover.

 

[Jamie825]

There is a difference between freewheel clusters and cassettes, so one will not work on the other.

A Shimano type multi speed freewheel remover will remove probably 90% of the MTB/Box store freewheel clusters out there, newer or higher end stuff use cassettes, which are different, also anything French is different too...

Luke.

The last cassette I removed I took a 3/4" lug nut and ground each point of the six sides down a little about half way up the nut so you could still get a wrench or socket on it then it will fit into the splines of the cassette where you ground it down it will rest at every 3rd spline then you can use a wrench or socket to get it loose I used a impact just to get it broke loose then it's will spin off with your hand . If you don't understand where to grind just set the lug nut against the splines then you can tell where to grind. Each flat of the nut will be against two splines once you grind the points of the nut kinda works like them new splined sockets on a striped nut that's how I got the idea? Anyway it worked.

 

[Jamie825]

The lug nut is just something I tried cause I had no tool and noway to the bike store 70 miles away and it worked I think it would be worth someone else trying

 

[Gdcast]

Well this may help someone.
Had to make this drill sanding drums cause I couldn't find a single hardware store with these in stock.
Total cost of the pair 6 bucks.

Built with these Calculator paper rolls, sandpaper, some bolts and threaded rod

The result is excellent, they work perfectlly!!

 

[Jamie825]

The last cassette I removed I took a 3/4" lug nut and ground each point of the six sides down a little about half way up the nut so you could still get a wrench or socket on it then it will fit into the splines of the cassette where you ground it down it will rest at every 3rd spline then you can use a wrench or socket to get it loose I used a impact just to get it broke loose then it's will spin off with your hand . If you don't understand where to grind just set the lug nut against the splines then you can tell where to grind. Each flat of the nut will be against two splines once you grind the points of the nut kinda works like them new splined sockets on a striped nut that's how I got the idea? Anyway it worked.

I had to remove another cassette the other day and 3/4 was to small it took a 13/16 lug nut and it was a little loose so on to of the flats of the nut I took a small finishing nail and taped it between the nut and splines in two places and it worked good I know all this sounds like I am a hammer and vise grip mechanic but it really works