Why won't my cassette tool not fit?

[bikeworkshop]

^
A different tool to would be ideal - ask your lbs because you might want to try it first.
Alternatively, get a steel shimano lockring - that will work better.

With the tool in the vice, you can use the rim to tighten the lockring.
I give it a firm turn, but no need to yank. You'll feel it tighten down.
It's there really to snug the cassette onto the fhb and hold it there - riding doesn't produce forces to unscrew it.

 

[benjabbi]

I've found a cassette tool with a locating pin really helps with this.
Like this one.

 

[sefton1275gt]

Thanks guys. I have reservations about another tool fitting. But I'm going to order some (I can always send back). Failing that I'll try the methods advised.

Thanks!

 

[bikeworkshop]

You could get a length of m5 Threaded rod from a hardware shop and bolt that through with a couple of nuts&washers to hold your tool in place... hey presto!

 

[sefton1275gt]

Yep.

So what did they do back when this stuff was new? Cant imagine all these 'bodge jobs'

Unless the lock rings and tools differed slightly.

 

[bikeworkshop]

That's it.

If you had the period shimano cassette and tool (honestly a modern one would probably be right too) it would fit right.
But that hub is 30 years old,
and the cassette (lockring at least)
is from another company, and neither of them made the tool -
And it's a generation later.

The very fact it still fits at all is amazing.

There's almost no other industry where this is the case.