I have no idea how to free the chainrings though, clues are appreciated 🙇‍♂️
moonpiebs on
They aren’t meant to be opened
Chillsdown on
Don’t do it. A zillion ball bearings in there, not worth the trouble. To clean them soak in solvent, spin dry, lube/drip/spin oil into them.
Alive-Bid9086 on
You don’t.
But I put the spline tool in a wise and then hammered on a driver until it opened. Not much to see, many, many small bearing ball. And the ratchet mechanism.
Then I threw thw parts away.
Buy a new one instead if there are problems.
RaptoringRapture on
I have the same problem, what are these called, so I can buy a new one?
Fizzyphotog on
RJ the Bike Guy has YouTube on “rebuilding freewheel” which should discourage you🤣 Keeping track of and replacing the zillion bearings isn’t the big problem. Putting lube where it needs to be and not where it doesn’t, so that the whole thing still works, is. Frankly, those look better than most old ones do. Drop some light oil next to that lock ring so it seeps inside, or don’t, it won’t work much differently either way.
dedolent on
you know how all these other posters knew it wasn’t worth opening these up? that it’s hard and impractical to put back together? well at least a few of them know this because they tried it. so i say: go nuts! they’re cheap enough to replace when you decide it isn’t worth it.
NotYourGranddadsAI on
Many years ago I once opened up an old freewheel like those. As you can guess, you need something that will engage with the two holes, to turn the ring.
Yes, a zillion tiny ball-bearings, a couple of pawls, a couple springs. I had the foresight to open it over a container, so nothing was lost. It was tedious to clean and put back together… but it worked.
I think in future i would just dribble lube in… or replace the thing.
Appropriate_Land_130 on
The tool you are looking for is a #SPANNER WRENCH#
_drelyt on
Just get a new one a save yourself much heartache for $15.
OverjoyedBanana on
FFS just let the guy do whatever he wants, it’s not he’s disassembling a live power supply or something. It’s up to each person to decide what’s worth servicing or not. In any case it’s a good learning experience for cases where you have to service freewheels because you can’t buy a replacement (vintage bikes).
You need a pin wrench. Threads may be left-handed. Here.
Top_Grape4295 on
Use a punch to start the lock rings spinning reverse thread. Then a pin spanner. Open over a blue shop cloth, and keep track and count of the inner and outer bearings. Don’t mix them up. Clean and degrease everything, pack with fresh waterproof grease, and reassemble in reverse.
13 Comments
I suspect I need something [like this](https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-SPA-2-Cluster-Spanner/dp/B001B6LNRQ/ref=sr_1_51?crid=1AFC0TEIX7JPO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eiBFaahe0GOaVyddQd97VX4oGKxDoQE0g_p2mZ47T1zsdA0BADK7sX-OYf9N9xBuJjue21KOXQfpZ8qBbkQzfSV7P3nZQtvYe9qIp0NtGrPbPAC8xpKpcM890GB143R9AkTLUQLrQproJLJlj_fX9zhoqngI5IEFPPAmcl-tOphoQk0insEgd8pJDc3-IVO6D2gt01ivK5TPGWNWWlynBDAZ1JY1g8XK-6WQU9Veq9qSFYZ2cPmTPrB1-5_d6rh9S7oihseMO6vcddoNkD0FBoMmKR696uMEMIUvEYBOGu4.VXBPPSupIKoxh3vUh4flb8CNLFg3S7qMoeufYdSsr5s&dib_tag=se&keywords=freewheel+opener+tool&qid=1719782767&sprefix=freewheel+opener+too%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-51) for the freewheel cover
No idea how to free the chainrings though, clues appreciated 🙇‍♂️
I suspect I need something [like this](https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-SPA-2-Cluster-Spanner/dp/B001B6LNRQ) for the freewheel cover
I have no idea how to free the chainrings though, clues are appreciated 🙇‍♂️
They aren’t meant to be opened
Don’t do it. A zillion ball bearings in there, not worth the trouble. To clean them soak in solvent, spin dry, lube/drip/spin oil into them.
You don’t.
But I put the spline tool in a wise and then hammered on a driver until it opened. Not much to see, many, many small bearing ball. And the ratchet mechanism.
Then I threw thw parts away.
Buy a new one instead if there are problems.
I have the same problem, what are these called, so I can buy a new one?
RJ the Bike Guy has YouTube on “rebuilding freewheel” which should discourage you🤣 Keeping track of and replacing the zillion bearings isn’t the big problem. Putting lube where it needs to be and not where it doesn’t, so that the whole thing still works, is. Frankly, those look better than most old ones do. Drop some light oil next to that lock ring so it seeps inside, or don’t, it won’t work much differently either way.
you know how all these other posters knew it wasn’t worth opening these up? that it’s hard and impractical to put back together? well at least a few of them know this because they tried it. so i say: go nuts! they’re cheap enough to replace when you decide it isn’t worth it.
Many years ago I once opened up an old freewheel like those. As you can guess, you need something that will engage with the two holes, to turn the ring.
Yes, a zillion tiny ball-bearings, a couple of pawls, a couple springs. I had the foresight to open it over a container, so nothing was lost. It was tedious to clean and put back together… but it worked.
I think in future i would just dribble lube in… or replace the thing.
The tool you are looking for is a #SPANNER WRENCH#
Just get a new one a save yourself much heartache for $15.
FFS just let the guy do whatever he wants, it’s not he’s disassembling a live power supply or something. It’s up to each person to decide what’s worth servicing or not. In any case it’s a good learning experience for cases where you have to service freewheels because you can’t buy a replacement (vintage bikes).
You need a pin wrench. Threads may be left-handed. Here.
Use a punch to start the lock rings spinning reverse thread. Then a pin spanner. Open over a blue shop cloth, and keep track and count of the inner and outer bearings. Don’t mix them up. Clean and degrease everything, pack with fresh waterproof grease, and reassemble in reverse.