tpadul 

Trouble removing vintage freewheel help?

Can someone give me suggestions on how to get this to budge? I’m hammering the Allen tool like the guy in the video said to do clockwise but this just won’t move at all..I’ve sprayed lots of WD-40 on it. This is my first time attempting to do this. I’m a brand new newbie and I’m trying to watch the videos online.

I still don’t have my tool kit yet. I just ordered one a 44 piece off EBay. So I’m trying to see if I can get this off the way the guy in the video is doing it.

Bill Kapaun

Not sure what you are trying to accomplish with the hex wrench? Do you have any idea how many tiny bearing balls you'll scatter if you realized that piece had a LH thread?
You need a Sun Tour 2 prong removal tool.
Park Tools FR-2
And use a QR skewer, axle or SOMETHING to hold the tool in place.
These are very prone to breaking the tool if misaligned.

https://www.parktool.com/product/freewheel-remover-fr-2

Iwas20Then

not the correct tool but i used a 3/32 pin punch also L/H threads if i remember correct and all the wd40 in the world wont make a difference
good luck - and yes almost a bizillion little balls i used small magenet to catch them and placed wheel over a card board box to those that tride to escape also count them
peace Brian
my free wheel was shimmed for proper spacing too so look for that

Bill Kapaun

Only a fool would attempt disassembling a FW while still on the hub.
Remove the FW from the hub first.

No idea what the OP is trying to accomplish?
It's just simpler to buy a new FW than service an old one.
Disassembling the actual part is beyond the knowledge level shown.

tpadul 

that’s what I’m trying to do, remove the Freewheel from the hub.. this is my very first attempt at trying to repair and rehab and old bike..I’m a complete newbie so please excuse my ignorance. I was watching the YouTube video that I attached in my post.

Ive already removed the bearings from the other side of the hub and now want to get the FW off so that is why I watched that video I linked to my post

Bill Kapaun

It's much easier to remove the FW before removing the axle.
You pretty much need the axle to retain the removal tool on Sun Tour FW's.
IF the tool cocks slightly, the tangs are very prone to break off the tool. BTDT.
Reinstall the axle and then use an axle nut to retain the tool.
Not TOO SNUG, because when the FW starts to screw off, it tightens against the tool, big time.
You basically want the FW to just budge a little bit, back ff the axle nut a tiny bit more & repeat until the FW starts to come off easily.
Something THAT OLD, is likely to be VERY tight.
If this is your first, you might consider just paying an LBS to remove it. The Shimano type FW's with many splines are much easier for a 1st timer.
There would be no shame.
Having a little bit of experience with these Sun Tours, I still almost expect to break a tool 25% of the time.

Gillparis

I am no expert here but I think it depends on what you want to do with the freewheel after. If you use the method in the video you will end up using a large pair of pliers or similar to take the central threaded piece of the freewheel off, therefore making it unusable by destroying the thread. If you don't need it then it doesn't matter. From the photo it looks like you are trying to unscrew in the wrong direction? Shouldn't it be counter-clockwise?

As someone else said - you need the specific tool. Or a local bike shop might do it for a small cost.

If you only want to take it off to access the bearings of your hub on that side you shouldn't need to remove it. Usually you can just remove the silver cone screw (it should just come out or unscrew by running a screwdriver around the edge on the flat section) you can see in the middle of your freewheel and you will be able to remove and repack the bearings with the freewheel in place.

If this isn't what you are trying to do and you really want to change the freewheel then you could do as in the video. If you are keeping it, spraying it with WD40 won't have done it any good. You can check online how to lubricate it.

Good luck!
Gill

SurferRosa

Not true. It's actually easier for me (without a bench vise) to disassemble a freewheel while it's threaded onto a hub, given its body has already been loosened with the proper freewheel tool like the Park FR-2.

Or, let's say the freewheel is damaged or stuck and cannot be removed with the proper tool. You can disassemble it from its body, then use channel locks on the body to free it from the hub.

Not true. First, tons of c&v folks appreciate older freewheels (like Suntour) more than new offerings. And, these days, it's difficult to find really nice, new freewheels, like the chromed Sunrace ones. Plus, it's super easy to overhaul a freewheel, given you can easily remove the lockring.

Bill Kapaun

This is the way I retain the tool with an axle nut. It's just a quick mock up I made with a Sun Tour 4 prong FW, with some assorted FW tools in the background.

Gillparis

To give the OP hope I managed, as a novice, to do this. It was frustrating and involved a lot of trial and error but doable.

A question - I didn't have to touch the freewheel at all. I just left it in place as it was. Is there a reason the OP can't do this?

fietsbob

those pin face spanner holes are to take the freewheel apart, releasing a hundred tiny bearing balls , not removing it.

Bill Kapaun

Removal makes access to the DS race (to inspect) & balls MUCH easier to service/reinstall.

Not sure what the OP's actual goal is??

Gillparis

Thank you. It is true it was awkward to do and I had to rely on feeling it and then peering with a small torch.

My guess is he is trying to service the hubs - maybe he will tell us 😊

Iride01 

If your goal is to remove the freewheel from the wheel hub, then it's the two slots, roughly 11:30 and 5:30 in the first pic that you need to get a tool for. And you turn it counter clockwise.

fietsbob

I simply flush and re-lubricate freewheels not take them apart .. in over 40 years..

SurferRosa

That doesn't work. There is no oil that works as well as grease to lubricate bearings for the long haul.

dedhed

Here are the videos you really should be watching to REMOVE a freewheel.

Iride01 

Coasting is the only time the bearings in the freewheel are moving. So unless coasting is a major part of your ride, they aren't being used long enough for it to be an issue. IMO.

I too have never disassembled a freewheel. And my kids managed to provide me with plenty of frozen FW's to free up.

Gillparis

I didn't have the tool to get it off and the bike is probably worth not much more than the tool! I had fear of a ball-bearing explosion if I took it apart. I had sore fingers from them rubbing on the edge of the freewheel centre whilst I was cleaning out the races 😊. And I had to work out how far the cone was going to turn once I tightened the nuts and then leave that tolerance in. So it took a long time. But it worked.

tpadul 

Thank you!
I think I am going to take it to my LBS to have them help me with that. This is my first time trying to totally disassemble a bike and I’m still learning. I appreciate you not trying to make me feel stupid. I’m determined to learn as much as I can

Bill Kapaun

Just looking at all your replies.....
I sure as the hell wouldn't listen to you.

SurferRosa

You seem to be the only one here using vitriol and sarcasm instead of useful information.

I'll put you on ignore so we needn't run into each other again. Cheers.

Bill Kapaun

Probably a good idea.
IF it were a splined type, I'd encourage you to DIY.
I'd done a few splined type & still broke the tool on my first Sun Tour FW, because I let it cock ever so slightly.
You DON'T need a tool to reinstall, whatever brand. They just spin on and your legs do the final tightening.
a "strong" rider tightens them worse. Add a bunch of years of corrosion between a steel FW & aluminum hub......

tpadul 

Yes my goal was to service the hubs and re-grease them and put new bb in them. I decided I want to learn how to service and make repairs and possible restore vintage bikes. Just something fun for me to learn as I get back into riding. So I picked up a $10 1984 Schwinn World Sport that had been neglected and not very well taken care of. It was suggested to me that I service the hubs and make sure they have been cleaned and new grease and bearings. So that is what I was trying to do.

fietsbob

Cogs not worn? NB: they were a low end freewheel when new./.

you need a pin spanner to engage both holes at once, I think its Left hand threaded
I'd take it off the hub first .. BITD there was a freewheel vise it had 4 pins to grab the big cog on opposite sides. to not move,,