I've got one of these I'm trying to take apart. My assumption is reverse threaded lock ring.

 

I've attempted to remove the locking ring with an adjustable pin spanner for a grinder and whacking and old flat bladed screwdriver with a hammer while inserted on the indentations with no joy.

 

Before I move to rougher methods is there an easier way that I haven't considered? Preference would be not to destroy it in the process.

I've got one of these I'm trying to take apart. My assumption is reverse threaded lock ring.

 

I've attempted to remove the locking ring with an adjustable pin spanner for a grinder and whacking and old flat bladed screwdriver with a hammer while inserted on the indentations with no joy.

 

Before I move to rougher methods is there an easier way that I haven't considered? Preference would be not to destroy it in the process.

Heat always helps. When I was trying to remove that bottom bracket, I was smashing the spanner with a 2kg lump-hammer, but it wouldn't budge. After heating it up to just too hot to touch, it turned easily by hand. That's the same with trying to remove a scre-on side-plate from an AKM motor.

 

https://endless-sphere.com/sphere/threads/info-on-stripping-a-dnp-epoch-freewheel.62844/

.... My assumption is reverse threaded lock ring.......

I dismantled one and it had two rings. What I call the outer ring holds the cogs onto the body and is a normal threaded anti clockwise to open. It needed to be removed to properly get at the inner ring underneath. What I call the inner rings has a left hand thread and turns clockwise to open. By the way, the one I opened had caged ball bearings which made it easier to put back together.

 

I dismantled one and it had two rings. What I call the outer ring holds the cogs onto the body and is a normal threaded anti clockwise to open. It needed to be removed to properly get at the inner ring underneath. What I call the inner rings has a left hand thread and turns clockwise to open. By the way, the one I opened had caged ball bearings which made it easier to put back together.

 

[ATTACH type=full" alt="64423]64423[/ATTACH]

Mine is a different configuration to that. Looks like this.

 

This video explains it, don't use bearing grease on the pawls, use freehub grease

 

Edited September 24, 2025Sep 24 by Raboa

Something like this.

 

https://www.velodrome.shop/cassette/sprocket/freewheel-sprocket-remover/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17177539890&gbraid=0AAAAAD9E6UFe3O3WyHtr_gcw_oS3QCPhd&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrc7GBhCfARIsAHGcW5WTkkjIfDqjm9SoJH11L-IHzmgjK13_r1WQxsp-PiwpVFom2XCDBIYaAp9pEALw_wcB

Thank you all

I've got it off. Heating it up didn't help this time but mainly due to my own actions.

 

In the end I used a set of water pump pliers. It chewed the ring a little but acceptable. Dismantled and switched the gear I was unhappy with. Replaced with one I'd ordered from AliExpress.

 

Should anyone else be interested in doing this it isn't reverse thread. Once I started unscrewing it the correct way it came off. By then of course any heat that id put into it had cooled off.

Usually the left/right thread is correctly indicated by looking at the effect of the most common forces applied to the adjacent part. Those forces must act to tighten not loosen the retaining ring. So in this case, should be normal right-hand thread.

Thank you all

I've got it off. Heating it up didn't help this time but mainly due to my own actions.

 

In the end I used a set of water pump pliers. It chewed the ring a little but acceptable. Dismantled and switched the gear I was unhappy with. Replaced with one I'd ordered from AliExpress.

 

Should anyone else be interested in doing this it isn't reverse thread. Once I started unscrewing it the correct way it came off. By then of course any heat that id put into it had cooled off.

..a chewed ring? ouch! hope it's not too bad.

Heat always helps. When I was trying to remove that bottom bracket, I was smashing the spanner with a 2kg lump-hammer, but it wouldn't budge. After heating it up to just too hot to touch, it turned easily by hand. That's the same with trying to remove a scre-on side-plate from an AKM motor.

 

https://endless-sphere.com/sphere/threads/info-on-stripping-a-dnp-epoch-freewheel.62844/

 

Heat can be an amazing helper. Your point reminds me about a science lesson when I was 11 years old on the subject of expansion. The old guy doing the class, had a steel ring with a handle , about the size that would let a golf ball sit on it, and an iron ball attached to a small chain, of the sort you have to retain your bath plug. Held horizontal like a spoon, the ball sat in the ring and could not drop through. Then he heated the ring in a Bunsen flame and the ball dropped straight through the ring. Shows the effect of expansion. Heat sometimes helps break free from corrosion between parts too.

 

EDIT:

 

The ring and ball might have been made of brass not steel. Too long ago to remember properly.

Edited November 29, 2025Nov 29 by Tony1951

yeah remember that