How to Replace a Freewheel
Demonstrates how to remove and install a traditional thread-on freewheel cluster.
Video updates
- 01:21 - Apply a thin layer of grease to the hub threads before installing the freewheel.
In this tutorial we’ll learn how to remove and install a freewheel on your bike. You may remember a while back when we covered cassette removal and installation. For this job you’ll need a notched freewheel remover and a large wrench or vise clamp.
Here’s how the two systems differ: a cassette is a series of gears that slides onto a freewheel unit. This is a better system because it allows you to replace worn sprockets without having to replace the freewheeling component (freehub body). A freewheel on the other hand, contains both the sprockets and freehub in a single unit that threads onto the outer flange of your hub. We’ll be covering removal and installation of this style today.
Click on this image to visit Sheldon Brown’s page on this topic:
Freewheel Removal
First you’ll have to remove the rear wheel from your bike. Then in some rare cases the axle nuts will be too big to allow the freewheel tool to slide into the freewheel, so you’ll have to overhaul the hub to remove them first. Now slide the freewheel remover into the freewheel and loosen it with your large wrench by holding the wheel on the firmly on the ground and turning your wrench counter clockwise.
If your freewheel is really tight, you may need to mount the tool in a vise clamp so that you can use the wheel as leverage. I don’t have a clamp to demonstrate this, but once mounted in the vise, you can easily turn the wheel counter-clockwise to loosen the freewheel.
Freewheel Installation
Before installing the new freewheel, inspect the threads on the hub to make sure they aren’t damaged. Be careful threading the new freewheel on, as you don’t want to cross-thread it. If it feels unusually tight right away, back the freewheel off and try again until it threads on smoothly.
Tightening
To tighten a freewheel, all you have to do is get it finger tight and then re-install your wheel and go for a ride. The freewheel will tighten itself while you’re pedaling!
Related Links
- Park Tool: Cassette and Freewheel Removal
- Sheldon Brown: Thread-on Freewheels
- Bicycle Torque Specifications
Related Tools
- Park Tool FR-1 Freewheel Remover
- Park Tool FRW-1 Freewheel Remover Wrench
- Park Tool SCW-SET.3 Cone Wrench Set
- Park Tool PAW-12 Adjustable Wrench
- Park Tool TS-8 Home Truing Stand
- Park Tool TS-2.2 Home Truing Stand
Categories
Discuss this topic in the Bicycle Repairs and Mechanics Forum
GRX 1x crankset on frame with boost spacing?
Lastest post 4 days agoHi BikeRiders Does anyone know if a 1x GRX crankset will fit on a frame with boost spacing. I’m specifically looking at the crankset for my Cinelli Hobootleg GEO frame. Note, the GEO frame is a 29+ adventure frame. It’s quite different from the other Hobootleg models. Thanks for your help....
Read moreInner Tube Issue
Lastest post 6 days agoIn the spring I installed a new Fenix 26 x 1.90/2.125 inner tube on my year old mountain bike front wheel. It has been fine all summer until my last ride this fall. The following day after my ride both front and rear tires were flat. I thought that they might have lost air due to the cooler temperatures. But that was not the case. The tubes had failed. The tubes were inflated to the recommended 50...
Read moreHelp with Hubs
Lastest post 6 days agoHello all! New member. Am I able to fit an 11 spd hub from a disc wheel on an 11 speed wheel that uses rim brakes. Thanks for any help!!...
Read moreChain wear to 0.75 too fast
Lastest post 6 days agoHi, got a fresh new KMC chain back in August for urban commuter bike. Have lubed it twice during this time, and weekly I cover around 30 miles on the bicycle. Measured chain wear yesterday ... it's worn already until the 0,75 mark. Isn't this too early for a chain to be done??...
Read moreReplacement crank & forks needed: Achwinn Jaguar
Lastest post 1 week agoIn modding my Jaguar, I’d like to replace the crank and forks with something improved. I have been unable to locate specifications For either that will enable me to search for compatible replacements. I’d like to go to a 3 piece crank that has more ring gear options available. Any guidance on how to identify the specs of the crank and forks are greatly appreciated!...
Read moreNeed to replace a Shimano crank set (no experience)
Lastest post 4 weeks agoI just registered here to ask for help. I have this bike; https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?item=91408 Which I rescued from the trash. I know how to do the basics, like changing a tube or tire, but I don't have a lot of experience replacing parts, or doing much bike maintenance in general. To be honest, I'm not a hardcore cyclist. To me, the bike is mostly just a way to get pla...
Read moreShimano's gearbox patent
Lastest post 4 weeks agoSo I read about Shimano filing a patent for bicycle gearbox both for MTB and road bikes. What are your thoughts about it? They must be serious about it and definitely have the R&D capacity compared to the existing bicycle gearbox manufacturers. Looks like an ebike motor. I've always been (and probably will be) a derailleur boy though. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/ac/c6/46/60b59...
Read moreHomemade chain oils?
Lastest post 1 month agoHas anyone had any luck with homemade chain oil? im looking for some recipes, a lot include motor oil and mineral spirits any good?...
Read moreWD40 is not the best
Lastest post 1 month agoThere is a product used in major tool rooms I have been in as an engineer for 34 years. It is called Kroil. I think you would have to get it off the web though, but believe me it is the BEST I have seen..... Penetrating-Lubricating Oils Loosens Frozen Metal Parts! ... Nothing Works Like Kroil Kroil - An industry proven penetrating oil that has no equal. Used by 480 of the Fortune 500 companies! ...
Read moreGrip shift gear on kids bike difficult to turn
Lastest post 2 months agoI've read other threads and lots of info online, and I'm still stuck. My son is unable to shift the gears on his new 6-gear bike. We tried adjusting the derailer to release some tension and tinkered with adjustments here and there, and nothing seems to be working. Is there anything that we can do? I really want him to be able to shift his own gears. Going uphill today we had to stop several t...
Read moreBroken spoke - what to do?
Lastest post 2 months agoHad an accident on the way home today. Luckily no one got hurt except for my bike. Front wheel now has one broken spoke. Can I still save it somehow? Or do I need to get a new spoke and are they sold one by one just like that? Or better to visit local bike repair? broken-spoke.jpeg (Size: 162.16 KB / Downloads: 98) ...
Read moreNexus hubs
Lastest post 2 months agoHi. I don't get why would you choose nexus hub over the classic derailleur shifters? Isn't it much pain when the hub brakes? Or am I just too used to the derailleurs and shifting .. #justasking...
Read moreShimano Deore BL-T610 brake levers | broken
Lastest post 2 months agoHello, bike riders! Our community member Gabriel has shared his unpleasant experience with Deore T610 brake levers: "After 2 years of very limited use ... I'm still trying to understand why is there so many holes in such a critical place" Can anyone help by explaining the reasoning for such lever design and what might be the cause of the particular break (material quality, usage, design flaw). ...
Read moreDented top tube on a steel frame
Lastest post 2 months agoHello! I was forwarded here from from Reddit, where I asked around about this dent I caused. So long story short, I dropped this frame by accident on a sharp corner and it caused a smallish dent. I've been told that this is no concern on a steel frame, but I'd like to be 100% certain, if possible. Edit: added the picture... IMG_05102019_215231_(1080_x_1080_pixel).jpg (Size: 181.86 ...
Read moreDouble butted frame
Lastest post 2 months agoCiao. I have been looking at road bikes and most of them (unlike my Giordano) have double butted frame. Can anyone explain what are the advantages or characteristics of such bicycle frame? Like an elderly would explain it to a child ...
Read more
