[CR]Help !! Freeing stuck freehweels

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2004)

Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2009 10:10:12 -0800
From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
To: CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <868839.40882.qm@web82203.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Subject: [CR]Help !! Freeing stuck freehweels

When disassembing the Romic touring bike I was unable to remove the SunTour FW from the very nice Sunshine ProAm rear hub. I really want to use the original wheels, but want to change FW size.

I tried the huge crescent wrench and even clamping the remover in a bench vice and turning the wheel. Also applied Kroil, even though Kroil has yet to free up anther stuck FW in about three months of trying. I even heated the FW with a propane torch, no luck. I applied the heat to the inner cog of the FW, but so far haven't heated the alloy hub flange directly. Dare I apply the flame to the hub, or will aluminum alloy melt at that temperature? Any other secret ticks? Coca-Cola? Ammonia? I've removed FWs with stripped notches before by removing the outer body and clamping the inner FW body in a bench vice, which of course destroys the FW. I'd be willing to sacrifice the FW, but I don't think this would help, as the bench vice isn't working with the remover clamped in it, so I think tearing down the FW might only make things worse.

Regards,

Jerry Moos
Big Spring, Texas, USA