Introduction
There are a number of reasons why you might need to remove and replace a bike freewheel. You may need to service the bearings on the wheel hub, replace a spoke on the drive side of the wheel, or maybe to replace the cassette itself.
This is a long guide, so you can choose to either watch the entire video above, or follow it in smaller chunks by clicking on the individual steps below.
1. Remove A Bike's Rear Wheel With Quick Release Skewer
Removing a rear wheel is a simple task, although the gear mechanism makes it a slightly more complicated than removing the front wheel.
2. Remove A Bike Freewheel
An old style screw-on bike freewheel may need to be removed to service the hub bearing, to fit a new spoke on the right side of the hub or because the cogs, or the freewheel mechanism are worn out.
3. Mount A Screw On Bike Freewheel
When fitting a screw-on freewheel to a hub you don’t need tools as the sprockets lock with the freewheel body in the clockwise direction.
4. Lubricate A Bike Freewheel
An old style bike freewheel can be lubricated easily.
5. Mount A Bike's Rear Wheel With Quick Release Skewer
Mounting a rear wheel with quick release skewer is simple, although the gears make it a slightly more complicated
6. Check A Bike Freewheel
A freewheel is a ratchet mechanism mounted on the rear hub which allows the chain to drive the wheel forwards via a cog but when the wheels move faster than the chain the cog is not driven round by the wheel. A freewheel allows a rider to rest their legs while the bike is moving forward.
Related Maintenance Tutorials
Remove A Bike Freewheel
Replace A Bike Cassette
Replace A Bike Pedal
Lubricate A Bike Freewheel
Check A Bike Freewheel
Replace A Bike Dropout
Replace Bike Wheel Rim Tape
Overhaul A Bike's Freewheel Hub
Mount A Screw On Bike Freewheel
Replace Rim Brake Blocks On A Bike
Replace A Bike's Square Tapered Crankset
Replace A Bike's Caliper Rim Brake Shoe