How do you remove cassette without special tool?



tyler1212

New Member
Apr 7, 2006
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I was wondering if it's possible to remove my cassette(shimano) using regular tools without damaging or risking damage to anything. If so, how is it done??
 
tyler1212 said:
I was wondering if it's possible to remove my cassette(shimano) using regular tools without damaging or risking damage to anything. If so, how is it done??
Why not just buy the tool. It's less than $10 for the lock ring nut and about the same for the chain whip.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=99&subcategory=1234&brand=&sku=15346&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=99&subcategory=1234&brand=&sku=10529&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

L
 
Lonnie Utah said:
Well, because if I can do it without it, why spend 15 bucks for no reason. Its not like I remove one every weekend, in fact, this is the first time!
 
The lockring tool is pretty hard to come across without. It is made out of steel, and will last forever, while ensuring that you don't break the freehub/cassette assembly.

As for the chain whip, you could do without. Just get an old chain, and nail into a piece of wood. There, you have a chain whip.

I would still get one. They are very cool.... and durable.
 
tyler1212 said:
I was wondering if it's possible to remove my cassette(shimano) using regular tools without damaging or risking damage to anything. If so, how is it done??
5" makita angle grinder should do the trick!:D
 
tyler1212 said:
I was wondering if it's possible to remove my cassette(shimano) using regular tools without damaging or risking damage to anything. If so, how is it done??
If the smallest cog is a screw on to lock the whole cassette you can remove it with another chain. lay the bike upside down, shift to the small chainring in the front and the rear in the 2nd or 3rd gear from the smallest. Wrap the extra chain on the top gear (the one that locks the cogset) and on the big chainring then turn the rear tire by hand backwards.

If the there is a separate lock ring to hold the cassette then you need a specialized tool or risk damaging it.
 
I tried but never found a suitable substitute for the lockring tool.

You also need a torque wrench to put the lockring back on, and I can't imagine how to mate a torque wrench to the lockring without the proper tool.

I did cheap out on the chain whip. I took an old chain from the recycle bin and placed it on the largest cog, and clamped the other end in a bench vise. I braced the tire of the wheel against the vise and loosened away.

I have regreased and added fresh 1/8" balls to about three old freewheels by driving off the outer cone with a cold chisel. I inserted the edge into one of the holes for the spanner wrench and tapped it off. I have never tried it on a cassette. This method may ruin a cassette lockring so check what they cost so you could weigh the risk. Also, you won't be able to tighten it to 40 Newton meters but will have to settle for an approximate value.

If your thinking is only worth minimum wage, you only have to think about it for an hour or so in the U.S.A. before you can no longer justify the economy of the project.:D
 
tyler1212 said:
I was wondering if it's possible to remove my cassette(shimano) using regular tools without damaging or risking damage to anything. If so, how is it done??
Not really. Get the tools. How much did you spend on your bike. If money is reallya constraint, take it to your LBS and borrow their tools. You can go McGuyver, but you might end up spending way more from possible damage. Listen to the good people here ..
 
garage sale GT said:
If your thinking is only worth minimum wage, you only have to think about it for an hour or so in the U.S.A. before you can no longer justify the economy of the project.:D
Beautifully stated.
 
Gentlemen, Sheldon Brown always has something: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/tools/touring.html
Hypercracker Redux!

Since the original Pamir "Hypercracker" went out of production a couple of years ago, there has been no small, portable tool available that would allow on-the-road cassette removal.

Such a tool is of vital importance to the touring cyclist, because it's the only way to be able to replace a broken spoke on the right side of the rear wheel, the most common spot for spokes to break.

Jim Stein has come to the touring cyclist's rescue with the new Stein Mini Cassette Lock tool. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/tools/stein-mini-lock/index.html

Although this tool is a bit more expensive than the original Hypercracker, it is lighter, smaller and made with more precision.
 
How do you build a house without a hammer ....... you don't. The tools are inexpensive, save the bandwitch and get them. The ghetto method sometimes has it's merit, bit not this time.
 
there is no substitute for a lock ring remover...without risking damage.

the chain whip can be home made or can be accomplished using thick leather gloves but nothing can remove the lock nut without risking cracking or damaging it other that the tool designed for the purpose.

just buy it, its cheap and will save you a **** load of hassle..

why the ferk are you so cheap?
 
free_rideman said:
The lockring tool is pretty hard to come across without. It is made out of steel, and will last forever, .
i have a Park tool that i have had for about 10 years....broke it a few weeks back removing a shimano mtb cassette that had rusted on a friends bike...

i'll post a pic if you like..
 
Nobody posted this, but the obvious way to remove it without buying oneself special tools is taking it to the bike shop and have them do it. Just call me Mr. Obvious.:p
 
backtobiking said:
Nobody posted this, but the obvious way to remove it without buying oneself special tools is taking it to the bike shop and have them do it. Just call me Mr. Obvious.:p
If you have a good relationship with them they will probably do it for free.
 
tyler1212 said:
I was wondering if it's possible to remove my cassette(shimano) using regular tools without damaging or risking damage to anything. If so, how is it done??
Only if my "LIFE" depened on it, would I try the following. Stick as many bladed screw drivers into the cassette lock ring as you can. Wrap tape around the handles as tight as you can. Place two wrenches, 180 degrees apart on the screw driver shanks. You can try using Pipe wrenchs, crescent wrenchs, Channel locks or vise grips. Push down on the handles with you chest and turn both wrenches counter clockwise. Be prepared to cry in your beer.
 
tyler1212 said:
I was wondering if it's possible to remove my cassette(shimano) using regular tools without damaging or risking damage to anything. If so, how is it done??
A direct answer to your question is: If you use anything other than the correct tool, you risk damaging your cassette or cassette lockring. So, No, it's not possible.
 
wow the majority of the responses to this guy/gal are from a bunch of assholes!!





assholes!