The bike transmission needs regular inspection and maintenance, and the chain or sprockets wear out most quickly. Poor system condition shortens your vehicle’s life and makes it dangerous to ride. So the question is, how do I remove the cassette from the rear wheel of my bicycle to replace it?
You don’t need to know the complete rear wheel assembly, but it’s worth reading the information about the rear wheel to understand how the assembly works. Only after you have prepared yourself in theory do you go directly to the dismounting process.
What tools do you need?
Only 3 tools are needed to remove an old part, just like removing a ratchet:
- puller for the locking ring of a two-wheeled vehicle – you will need it to unscrew the nut;
- the wrench is a tool with a bicycle chain. It is necessary to secure the position of the cassette, as removal takes place with the freewheeling wheel;
- a adjustable wrench or a union wrench.
Sequence of actions
Once you have prepared the required tool, proceed with the disassembly process. Detailed instructions on how to remove the tape from the rear wheel of your bicycle are provided below.
- Remove the rear wheel of the vehicle. To do so, unscrew the nut holding the rear tire’s axle and pull out the brake carrier. Then remove the camera itself.
- Examine the tape carefully for signs of breakage or wear and tear and decide that replacement is really necessary. At the same time, assess the condition of the bearings by shaking the axle in different directions. If there is lateral clearance on the axle, they will soon need to be replaced. This procedure is best left to the experts, the self-repair can only be carried out after a detailed examination of the instructions.
- To remove a damaged cassette, place the wheel on a flat surface with the part upwards. Use a whiplash and a special puller: scroll the whiplash fixed to the largest sprocket while guiding the tool to the right. And the whip puller should be inserted into the available pass near the axle.
Important: removing the tape from your bike without a whiplash puller will be a problem – you’ll spend a lot of effort and time.
Threads on the ring with a dozen teeth are standard and unscrewed counterclockwise. You will need a lot of force to move the ring, don’t be afraid of the grinding caused by the locking teeth. - After the limit ring is removed, the cassette is moved to the side and protruded out. There is a high probability that it will split into parts: individual stars, gaskets and other solid elements.
Tip: Remember the sequence of stars and other elements so that when you remove them, everything is back in place. - Now change the cassette, remember, the new rear wheel cassette must have the same gear ratio as the bicycle. All parts of the system are designed for specific performance and any change of part disrupts the overall balance of the unit. Typically, the gear ratio is indicated on the sprocket in the cassette and can also be calculated by counting the number of teeth on the largest and smallest gear – these numbers are the correct value. Do not forget about special gaskets placed between the main parts.
- Screw in the ring and cassette by securing the sprockets in place. Do not use all your strength, small and rough threads on the parts may spoil it. The cassette is connected by a locking circle with special teeth that prevent the sprocket from unscrewing.
- When the ring is in position, tighten the nut securely and return the wheel to the rear fork of the bicycle. This step is similar to the first point in the manual, but the opposite is true. Repairing your bicycle
If you know that your bicycle will not move with faulty sprockets, check them periodically and change them in time. Often, the chain wears out along with the cassette. So evaluate the condition of the cassette and tighten or shorten it if necessary, and be sure to apply lubrication, as you may have inadvertently wiped all matter from the metal surface.
How do I remove the stars from the rear wheel of a bike without a puller?
You do not need to buy a special tool for this operation. The truth is, it’s much easier to handle. You’ll need a ratchet to remove it without a puller:
- a gas key;
- the kernel;
- hammer.
The ratchet has two notches. You have to insert the kerner in there and hit it with a hammer. You have to point it in a clockwise direction. You can use a big nail instead. You have to be careful, because there are bearings underneath this place. With a little effort, you can unscrew the stars.
There’s still the inside of the ratchet. It’s taken off with a gas key that’s twisted counterclockwise.
Internal device
A bicycle cassette is a pyramid built from stars of different sizes, which is a component of a high-speed chain gear. Sprockets are separated by equal distances by rings or, in some expensive models, by an inner spider frame. Together, all these parts form the body of the device.
The cassette on the bike is slipped onto the ratchet drum. The ratchet itself in the cylindrical body is attached to the wheel hub by similar hooks. It is a separate cylindrical mechanism on the rear wheel cracks at free reel and is caught intentionally during the rotation of the pedals. There are no dogs or a gear wheel in the cassette.
The body of the cassette is finally secured to the rear wheel by an external pressure nut which is screwed into the inner ratchet mechanism. It and the smallest sprocket have teeth on its contact surfaces to prevent it from spinning during the ride.
Conclusion
I just wanted to show that it doesn’t take a lot of fixtures to fully repair a bike at home. A keen person will quickly accumulate the necessary kit, and forget the way to the cyclists. I will try to give more information on how to maintain and repair the bike.
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