If you don't mind destroying the freewheel it usually works to dissassemble the freewheel, remove the outer body and pawls and just brutally clamp the inner body in a vice across the flats where the pawls used to sit. A good size pipe wrench also works instead of a vise.
There are a few freewheels with 3 pawls where this might not work.
Joe Bender-Zanoni
Great Notch, NJ
<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 10:49 PM Subject: Re: [CR]STILL need help W/freewheel
> Thanks to all who responded to my post concerning freewheel removal. I
have clamped the FW tool for years with success, but that was with a Suntour
tool with either 2 ears or 4 ears. This Shimano tool has splines, and it
fits into the FW easily and quite snug. Even with a Skewer to hold it in
place, it still "skips" on the splines. Maybe the problem is with the
tool--maybe the splines are worn too much, although I have used that tool
for years with success. I thought about spot welding the FW so it doesn't
spin, then making a chain whip with a long handle----can you see where I'm
going with this? I want to save the wheel--to heck with the FW--I have a
drawer full of them. OR, maybe it's time to visit my LBS, although I hate
to admit defeat. Entertaining other ideas or thoughts.
>
> Pat Moffat
> Tempe AZ It's 92 F in the garage, and I'm still out there sweating and
obsessing. And swearing occasionally.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Pergolizzi <jtperry1@verizon.net>
> Sent: Sep 16, 2004 6:59 PM
> To: rocketman531 <rocketman531@earthlink.net>,
classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]Help W/freewheel removal
>
>
>
> Pat Moffat wrote:
> > I'm trying to remove a freewheel, Shimano 600 (model 6208) 6speed. I
have
> a Shimano FW tool TLFW 30, and an ELDI FW tool 2646. Both fit the
> freewheel, (the Shimano tool is more snug, and therfore probably a more
> correct tool). When I attempt to remove the FW, the splines on the tool
slip
> (jump?). Am I using the wrong tool? What recourse do I have if the tool
is
> correct? I really want that FW removed. Any Ideas?
>
>
> Pat,
> Use the quick release (w/o the springs) to "hold" the remover in
place.
> Snug the whole thing up pretty good. Once the freewheel is "moved" 1/8 of
a
> turn, loosen the q/r a hair and continue to remove. After another 1/2
turn
> or so, you shouldn't need the q/r to help and you should be able to grab
the
> fw remover by hand and complete the operation.
> Ifin the Eldi tool doesn't have a hole to which to run the qr through,
> then hold the fw remover /freewheel/ wheel in a vise(the flats of the
> remover,o.k.) and turn as above.
> Put some oil on the hub fw threads before reinstallation.
> Enjoy your new found freedom!
> ciao,
> John T.Pergolizzi
> Brooklyn, N.Y.