I want to replace this 5 speed freewheel. All my removers are too small. Research and the fact it says Maillard on it informs me I need a Maillard 24 tooth remover . Is there a way to remove it without shelling out £15 to buy one for one-off use ?
It's about the size of a BB tool but the splines are too thick
by Southseas67
6 Comments
You need a Maillard wrench, not Shimano as you tried. There is not really any other easy way without damaging it. You can also disassemble it without taking off, and put what you’re left with into a vice, but that may leave some damage on its core.
Is there a DIY workshop in your area, that would be the way to go if you don’t want to spend these £15.
The classic way to remove a freewheel without the specific tool requires disassembly of the freewheel down to the core. If you don’t plan to re-use it [destructive removal](https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/freewheel-destructive-removal?srsltid=AfmBOoruf-foKd71b5Zot3ZCkuZ2KnuNgeJpEfPWzrX1EiY8bgZ72DsJ) is pretty straightforward and requires only a hammer and punch along with a vise (Park recommends their pin spanner, but 9/10 times in the real world a hammer and punch works much better).
Welcome to the world of old freewheels where every manufacturer had their own fittings, sometimes multiple different fittings, for their own make.
Find an older bike shop in your area they will probably have like me a box of random old freewheel tools that only ever get used now when someone brings something in that they can’t work with.
Watch [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsVL1XqZve8), and you might get the idea how it’s done.
What is your end goal?
Considering it’s a French Maillard free wheel, do you know if the hub uses English or French threading? If you remove this free wheel, will you be able to find a replacement free wheel to install?
You can either buy the correct tool, or find a bike shop with the correct tool and see if they’ll remove it for a nominal fee, or use the destructive method.