Suntours 4 sprong freewheel removal tool, anyone ?

webhead said:

Hi there,

Since I'm living in Europe and Parktool seems to be the only one
making this thing I'm looking at a +20$ bill due to shipping alone.
That's a bit harsh on the budget to bring an old wheel back to life.

Anyone has something like this lying around? Alternatives ?

Thx

1) try an older bikeshop, they might have the tool
2) Any Shimano service centre or other bikeshop who deals with Shimano
Europe can order the tool, you just have to pester them to add it to
their next order
3) If all you want is to remove the freewheel and not use it again:
-remove the smaller cogs if applicable (two chainwhips)
-unscrew the cone holding the FW together with hammer and punch (lh
thread) and drop cogs, ballbearings etc in the trash
-put the FW body in a vise or use a large pipewrench

--
/Marten

info(apestaartje)m-gineering(punt)nl

"webhead" <[email hidden]> a écrit:

Quoted message said:

Since I'm living in Europe and Parktool seems to be the only one
making this thing I'm looking at a +20$ bill due to shipping alone.
That's a bit harsh on the budget to bring an old wheel back to life.

VAR also make one:

http://www.vartools.com/fr/fiche_produit.php?id=475&shop=&pro=

and both VAR and Park have Belgian distributors - you'll find their details
on the websites of Park and VAR.

XXcycle.com in France list the Park, if you can't find one locally:

http://www.xxcycle.com/php/boutique/page.php?nom=RAYON&from=moteurDeRecherche&txtSearch=demonte+roue+libre&catSearch=&marqueSearch=

Postage is a more reasonable 7,74 euros

Quoted message said:

Anyone has something like this lying around? Alternatives ?

Tried your local bike shop? If it's a one-off operation, it usually makes
more sense to pay a shop to remove the freewheel than to buy the tool.

James Thomson

It seems to be a 7 speed freewheel with a 4 pin suntour bolt. All I'm
trying to do actually is service the thing (clean it) and then replace
the sprockets so I can use a new chain (which obviously skips right
now).
I'm guessing the whole thing hasn't been touched since it's assembly
somewhere in the mid 80's and needless to say it's a bit stubborn. I
tried putting all sort of things in the vise and turning the wheel but
so far the only movement was in the object in the vise that nicely
bent while I turned the wheel.
Maybe it's not worth it but other then worn sprockets the wheel is
just fine...

Thx for the links, that does offer a more reasonable price.

webhead said:

It seems to be a 7 speed freewheel with a 4 pin suntour bolt. All I'm
trying to do actually is service the thing (clean it) and then replace
the sprockets so I can use a new chain (which obviously skips right
now).
I'm guessing the whole thing hasn't been touched since it's assembly
somewhere in the mid 80's and needless to say it's a bit stubborn. I
tried putting all sort of things in the vise and turning the wheel but
so far the only movement was in the object in the vise that nicely
bent while I turned the wheel.
Maybe it's not worth it but other then worn sprockets the wheel is
just fine...

Do you have replacement Suntour spockets? You can remove/replace
sprockets w/o removing the freewheel by using 'chainwhips'.

Quoted message said:

Thx for the links, that does offer a more reasonable price.

webhead said:

It seems to be a 7 speed freewheel with a 4 pin suntour bolt. All I'm
trying to do actually is service the thing (clean it) and then replace
the sprockets

What makes you think you can get replacement sprockets!

--
/Marten

info(apestaartje)m-gineering(punt)nl

webhead said:

It seems to be a 7 speed freewheel with a 4 pin suntour bolt. All I'm
trying to do actually is service the thing (clean it) and then replace
the sprockets so I can use a new chain (which obviously skips right
now).

You can clean it on the wheel. Just flush it with solvent, then with oil.

But if you think you can buy replacement sprockets, you will be
disappointed. Even if it is possible to buy sprockets, it would be
cheaper to replace the freewheel -- and in the bargain, you'd get one
with a splined remover tool, which you are likely to already have -- or
at least would be easily available.

Unless you actually have a stock of sprockets, tear it apart as
suggested and chuck it in a vice, or take it to a shop and let them do
exactly that.

--

David L. Johnson

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries,
and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. [1 Corinth. 13:2]

webhead said:

Hi there,

Since I'm living in Europe and Parktool seems to be the only one
making this thing I'm looking at a +20$ bill due to shipping alone.
That's a bit harsh on the budget to bring an old wheel back to life.

Anyone has something like this lying around? Alternatives ?

Thx

got the answer for you. check it on ebay, you should be able to find
it there
carlos
www.bikingthings.com
ride fast, get fit, live better, be happy

webhead said:

It seems to be a 7 speed freewheel with a 4 pin suntour bolt. All I'm
trying to do actually is service the thing (clean it) and then replace
the sprockets so I can use a new chain (which obviously skips right
now).

You don't need to remove a suntour freewheel to change the sprockets,
since all the teeth are notched. You just need 2 chain whips.

Also, don't need to remove it to clean it. all you need is an old
rage, thin, soaked in oil or WD-40, you place one edge between the
teeth, pull (against ratchet lock), and then shift it, repeat.

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA

(Donald Gillies) said:

webhead <[email hidden]> writes:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It seems to be a 7 speed freewheel with a 4 pin suntour bolt. All I'm
trying to do actually is service the thing (clean it) and then replace
the sprockets so I can use a new chain (which obviously skips right
now).

You don't need to remove a suntour freewheel to change the sprockets,
since all the cogs are notched. You just need 2 chain whips.

You don't need a 4-tooth tool to remove such freewheels, a 2-tooth
tool works just fine, just be careful to tighten the QR, then back off
half a turn before starting removal.

Also, don't need to remove it to clean it. all you need is an old
rage, thin, soaked in oil or WD-40, you place one edge between the
teeth, pull (against ratchet lock), and then shift it, repeat.

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA

On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:30:06 -0800 (PST), webhead <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

It seems to be a 7 speed freewheel with a 4 pin suntour bolt. All I'm
trying to do actually is service the thing (clean it) and then replace
the sprockets so I can use a new chain (which obviously skips right
now).

Have you tried removing the sprockets from the freewheel body? In my
experience, that's always a much tougher job than getting the
freewheel off the hub, and if it can be done at all it's usually
easier with the freewheel still on the wheel to provide stability..
That's assuming you have a source for spare sprockets (very unlikely,
I'd have thought) and that you can bring the whole job in for less
than the cost of a 7spd freewheel, a Shimano HG37 14-28 is about GBP16
or 23 Euro. from wiggle.co.uk, including shipping to any EU country
Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

I'm not sure I'm getting this correctly. Suppose I'd like to upgrade
the wheel to another freewheel so I can use different sprockets. How
would that make it easier to remove the freewheel ?

webhead said:

I'm not sure I'm getting this correctly. Suppose I'd like to upgrade
the wheel to another freewheel so I can use different sprockets. How
would that make it easier to remove the freewheel ?

If you want to change freewheels, you need to make that clear. I (and
others, it seems) had the impression you wanted to change the
sprockets on your extant Suntour freewheel.

So, if you want to change freewheels, take the wheel to a shop; no
sense in acquiring a tool for one time usage.

webhead said:

I'm not sure I'm getting this correctly. Suppose I'd like to upgrade
the wheel to another freewheel so I can use different sprockets. How
would that make it easier to remove the freewheel ?

The replacement could be a 2007 model FW, using a more available tool.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Ozark Bicycle said:

webhead said:

I'm not sure I'm getting this correctly. Suppose I'd like to upgrade
the wheel to another freewheel so I can use different sprockets. How
would that make it easier to remove the freewheel ?

If you want to change freewheels, you need to make that clear. I (and
others, it seems) had the impression you wanted to change the
sprockets on your extant Suntour freewheel.

So, if you want to change freewheels, take the wheel to a shop; no
sense in acquiring a tool for one time usage.

I agree, bike shop for removal. But, if really stuck, or you have the bits
in the shed...

Find a two-prong remover of about the right diameter in the parts box.
Attack with grinding wheel to leave prongs which fit two of the keys in the
4-key Suntour.

Put remover on wheel. Re-fit the quick release skewer and set to "about
0.5mm" slack. Put big spanner on remover and undo a fraction. Once the
freewheel is moving, remove the skewer and take the freewheel off the hub.

Worked for me when I had to remove my last old Suntour freewheel.
I now have a cheap Shimano 7-speed in its place. It indexes adequately with
the Suntour 7-speed Commander shifters, even though the theoretical spacing
is wrong.

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

Donald Gillies said:

webhead said:

It seems to be a 7 speed freewheel with a 4 pin suntour bolt. All I'm
trying to do actually is service the thing (clean it) and then replace
the sprockets so I can use a new chain (which obviously skips right
now).

You don't need to remove a suntour freewheel to change the sprockets,
since all the teeth are notched. You just need 2 chain whips.

Also, don't need to remove it to clean it. all you need is an old
rage, thin, soaked in oil or WD-40, you place one edge between the
teeth, pull (against ratchet lock), and then shift it, repeat.

Fresh anger does not clean freewheels?

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"the grinning buddy bear carries a fork." - g.d.

Tom Sherman said:

Donald Gillies said:

webhead said:

It seems to be a 7 speed freewheel with a 4 pin suntour bolt. All I'm
trying to do actually is service the thing (clean it) and then replace
the sprockets so I can use a new chain (which obviously skips right
now).

You don't need to remove a suntour freewheel to change the sprockets,
since all the teeth are notched. You just need 2 chain whips.

Also, don't need to remove it to clean it. all you need is an old
rage, thin, soaked in oil or WD-40, you place one edge between the
teeth, pull (against ratchet lock), and then shift it, repeat.

Fresh anger does not clean freewheels?

Nope, that's reserved for the removal of said item 😉

--
/Marten

info(apestaartje)m-gineering(punt)nl

On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:14:07 -0800 (PST), webhead <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm not sure I'm getting this correctly. Suppose I'd like to upgrade
the wheel to another freewheel so I can use different sprockets. How
would that make it easier to remove the freewheel ?

It wouldn't; we're just pointing out that replacing the freewheel will
be easier and cheaper than your proposed sprocket swap. As everybody
else has noted, any bike shop which has been in business for a few
years will have a big bench vice and the Suntour 4-prong tool, as
these freewheels were very common before cassettes took over.

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

Kinky Cowboy said:

On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:14:07 -0800 (PST), webhead <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm not sure I'm getting this correctly. Suppose I'd like to upgrade
the wheel to another freewheel so I can use different sprockets. How
would that make it easier to remove the freewheel ?

It wouldn't; we're just pointing out that replacing the freewheel will
be easier and cheaper than your proposed sprocket swap. As everybody
else has noted, any bike shop which has been in business for a few
years will have a big bench vice and the Suntour 4-prong tool, as
these freewheels were very common before cassettes took over.

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

Allright, clear enough. I need some small items anyway so I might as
well persuade the shopkeeper to unscrew the freewheel.

Thx again for the elaborate info.

Andrew,

I discovered that I have 2 different styles of Suntour 4 slot freewheels.
Most of them have deep slots that the standard Suntour 4 prong removal
tool works on.

Some of my later Suntour freewheels take a different kind of tool that
needs to be chamfered around the OD of the prongs.

I've never seen one of these tools, are they available or do I have to
grind the chamfers on myself.

Chas.

"A Muzi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

webhead said:

I'm not sure I'm getting this correctly. Suppose I'd like to upgrade
the wheel to another freewheel so I can use different sprockets. How
would that make it easier to remove the freewheel ?

The replacement could be a 2007 model FW, using a more available tool.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971