Removal of Threaded Freewheel
There are all kinds of names for rear gear clusters and that is one name that I like to use. There are also different makes and sizes. I like to call them gear cluster because they consist of gear cogs all joined together making them a cluster (a cluster of gears). They are also called a gear sprocket.
Article submitted by Crank
New bikes today use cassette hubs. Older bikes may have an assembly called a freewheel. That is where it threads onto the hub of the wheel and the ratcheting part of it comes off with the cogs. Before removal you have to find out what type of gearing you have to find out what tools to use, because of the many different makes.
Chain Whip and spanner.
Sockets for removing the gear cluster.
In this article we are going to remove a threaded Shimano freewheel (gear cluster), as shown here:
Shimano freewheel gear cluster.
The socket tool we will use can be seen in the bottom of photograph 2 (above). The top tool socket also in photograph 2 is used for bikes that are fitted with quick release skewer.
Place the socket into the splines of the gear cluster.
Place the socket into the splines of the gearing. I will use a 24mm spanner to turn the socket in a counter clock wise direction. It will take some force to move. (Photo 5). Another trick is to put the socket remover in to a vise and turn the rim counter clockwise.
Using spanner to turn the socket.
After the freewheel has been removed you are left with the hub of the wheel and the threads where the freewheel has come off (Photo 6). The plastic guard behind the cluster is to stop the chain from getting caught between the gear cluster and the spokes if it falls off. Without the guard there, the chain may come off and jam, either breaking the chain, or breaking spokes.
Bare threads, where cluster has come off. Easy to replace the spokes now.
With this removal I did not use the chain whip. That is the top tool in Photo 1. Just to show how one is used I have used it to tighten up the freewheel, (Photo 7) which if you have one will seat the freewheel to the hub. If you do not have a chain whip you can tigten it up by hand, then when the wheel is placed back on the bike, pedalling forward will tighten and lock the freewheel to the hub.
Demo showing use of a chain whip, in this case to tighten the cluster up.
When replacing the freewheel back on to the wheel hub, grease and oil the threads so if you have to get the freewheel gear cluster off in the future this will make it easier. Also make sure that the plastic chain guard is in place. A small piece of plastic can save you a lot of trouble later on if the chain comes off. Due to the number of different makes and models plus tools that are required to remove a freewheel, this is only an outline of a small part of removal. Your bike may be slightly different in some areas.
