Originally Posted by
nomadmax
Take the lock nut and axle cone off the non drive side, pull the axle out the drive and then use the tool to remove the cassette lock ring. The tool won't bottom out before reaching the splines and have plenty of engagement.
Funny, I ran into the OP's problem for the first time at the shop yesterday afternoon, after reading about it in the morning. I first tried removing the axle, but there was a dust seal behind the lock ring that wouldn't let me do it.
I ended up with the tool in the vise and I could push down with enough pressure to just make it work.