How to remove old rusty Suntour powerflo freewheel?
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How to remove old rusty Suntour powerflo freewheel?
Can anyone help identify what tool I need to remove the freewheel/cassette? Thanks!
#2
Banned
Sun tour has used several different freewheel removal tools over the years,
I'd take the wheel to a Bike shop they would have an assortment of those tools
have them remove the freewheel for a small fee..
then buy a new freewheel & a tool to remove it..
I'd take the wheel to a Bike shop they would have an assortment of those tools
have them remove the freewheel for a small fee..
then buy a new freewheel & a tool to remove it..
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You need the correct tool, trying to do the job without it is likely to result in sweat, tears and possibly blood. You can destructively remove it but that is no picnic either.
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...if it is old, and rusted, there's a good chance that simply buying the tool will not be enough to remove it. A lot of those guys are on there pretty tight. I just got finished removing a few off old tubular wheelsets, and without the proper penetrating oil and a MAPP gas brazing torch, they were not coming off. What usually happens with a two pronged Duntour freewheel and remover is that it jumps out of the notches, and bungs up botht the notches and the tool to the point where you end up doing a destructive removal.
It's one of those things that is simple in concept, but is often difficult in practice.
...if it is old, and rusted, there's a good chance that simply buying the tool will not be enough to remove it. A lot of those guys are on there pretty tight. I just got finished removing a few off old tubular wheelsets, and without the proper penetrating oil and a MAPP gas brazing torch, they were not coming off. What usually happens with a two pronged Duntour freewheel and remover is that it jumps out of the notches, and bungs up botht the notches and the tool to the point where you end up doing a destructive removal.
It's one of those things that is simple in concept, but is often difficult in practice.
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First, as noted above, forget the idea that you can get the freewheel off without using the proper removal tool. (Maybe you already know that; your first post is unclear on that point.)
Look at the freewheel to confirm whether you need a two-prong or four-prong tool. Once you're sure what tool you need, order one from Amazon or Jenson USA or the equivalent.
Once you've fitted the tool into the freewheel slots, clamp the tool firmly to the freewheel. If it's a quick-release hub, use the quick-release skewer to hold the tool in place, using at least as much force as you normally use to secure the wheel in the dropouts; if it's a bolt-on wheel, ditto, but with the axle nut. (I've seen mechanics who don't secure the tool to the freewheel and who just hope they can get the freewheel off. They tend to ruin a lot of tools and freewheels until they see the error of their ways, if they ever do.)
Finally, and most important: whether you use a big adjustable wrench or a vice to grab the freewheel tool, once you feel the freewheel breaking free of the hub threads, stop. (If you keep applying force to the tool at that point, you risk damaging the bearings or bearing surfaces in the hub.) Loosen the skewer or axle nut a half-turn, then unscrew the freewheel a half-turn, and so on.
By the time the freewheel has unscrewed one full turn, you'll probably be able to take the skewer out or remove the axle nut to complete the freewheel removal job without fear of damaging any of the parts.
Look at the freewheel to confirm whether you need a two-prong or four-prong tool. Once you're sure what tool you need, order one from Amazon or Jenson USA or the equivalent.
Once you've fitted the tool into the freewheel slots, clamp the tool firmly to the freewheel. If it's a quick-release hub, use the quick-release skewer to hold the tool in place, using at least as much force as you normally use to secure the wheel in the dropouts; if it's a bolt-on wheel, ditto, but with the axle nut. (I've seen mechanics who don't secure the tool to the freewheel and who just hope they can get the freewheel off. They tend to ruin a lot of tools and freewheels until they see the error of their ways, if they ever do.)
Finally, and most important: whether you use a big adjustable wrench or a vice to grab the freewheel tool, once you feel the freewheel breaking free of the hub threads, stop. (If you keep applying force to the tool at that point, you risk damaging the bearings or bearing surfaces in the hub.) Loosen the skewer or axle nut a half-turn, then unscrew the freewheel a half-turn, and so on.
By the time the freewheel has unscrewed one full turn, you'll probably be able to take the skewer out or remove the axle nut to complete the freewheel removal job without fear of damaging any of the parts.
Last edited by Trakhak; 07-11-20 at 02:29 PM.
#7
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The Sun Tour FW's I've ran into require either a 2 or 4 prong tool.
Park Tools Fr-2 or Fr-3
Park Tools Fr-2 or Fr-3
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First you have to decide if it's a cassette or freewheel. Powerflo could be either. Powerflo is a designation of the tooth profile.
Freewheel is likely a 4 prong tool firmly bolted in to not slip. Cassette is 2 chain whips to unscrew the small cog.
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...lp-needed.html
VeloBase.com - Component: SunTour CS-AP10-K7
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Suntour-Fre...-/273846009578
Freewheel is likely a 4 prong tool firmly bolted in to not slip. Cassette is 2 chain whips to unscrew the small cog.
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...lp-needed.html
VeloBase.com - Component: SunTour CS-AP10-K7
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Suntour-Fre...-/273846009578
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Post a picture of the freewheel/cassette so somebody here can identify it for sure.
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My research indicates that the Suntour Powerflow was an accushift cassette. If so, it was an early cassette and does not require any special remover. What it does require is 2 chain whips. The small cog(s) screw in and the others are push on. It requires a bit more effort to remove the small cog than a modern cassette lockring. It's similar to removing the cogs from an old freewheel.
Post a picture of the freewheel/cassette so somebody here can identify it for sure.
Post a picture of the freewheel/cassette so somebody here can identify it for sure.