Immovable freewheel?

[andyz]

I've removed many old rusty freewheels using the method originalshinkicker suggests. Never had one which was immovable, some were over 50 years old! This method is often the only one left after the slots have crumbled away, and the tool has snapped.

Whereabouts are you in London? I'm in Sevenoaks if you want to drop it off sometime, I don't mind giving it a go.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Thaumaturge]

Right. I managed to get the freewheel stripped as per originalshinkicker's advice and have those flats exposed. I'm inclined now to let another workshop or two try it in this state. Failing this, andyz - i'd be grateful if you want to have a pop. Will keep you posted!

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

Or there's always the four foot ot longer pipe over the pipe wrench handle. Has never failed me.

 

[hamster]

I suspect that the problem is in the description that it is a 5-spoke mag wheel. If the freewheel screws directly onto the mag alloy then different metal corrosion may have been severe. Magnesium is awfully reactive. I would try lots of penetrating oil. Heat is out of the question as the metal could ignite. We used to machine mag alloy in a separate shed away from our main machine shop due to the fire risk.

 

[velomaniac]

Yup watch the mag alloy, Big Eck got a seatpost out a frame for me with the aid of a blowtorch. We didn't realise the post was mag alloy, the blinding flash nearly blinded the big fella, plus some of the molten residue stayed in the frame reducing the clearance for a new seatpost from 27.2mm to 27.0mm :facepalm:

 

[Thaumaturge]

Blimey.. hadn't thought of this. Already got some penetrating oil in there so hope to hell it isn't fused!

 

[Thaumaturge]

Glad tidings! Following originalshinkicker's method i took it to a local bike shop stripped down and they were able to crank it off. Fortunately it wasn't corroded/fused.. although the thread has suffered a bit. Gonna replace the bearings on this one while i'm at it too. Also want to swop out the solid bolt for a q/r. Can anyone tell me the standard length for that for a mbt? Also.. what should my spacings be either side to hub/bearing?

btw, pics:

Apologies for the size!

 

[hamster]

The axle should be around 146mm for a standard 135mm OLN MTB rear spacing.

Make sure you put loads of coppaslip on that freewheel thread. It will prevent corrosion and make it much simpler to remove in future.

 

[Thaumaturge]

Thanks mate, i was definitely wanting to apply something in that regard. Not heard of coppaslip but if that's the nuts for this sort of thing i'll get hold of some

 

[hamster]

Anti-sieze compound is what it's generically called. You can get small tubes in Halfords. It looks like copper toothpaste.