Removing rear axle

ratsbeyfus

Hi there

I'm trying to remove the rear axle on a Shimano WHR 500A hub with a shimano hg 50 9 speed cassette in order to clean and regrease the bearings/cones.

Can anyone tell me, should I have to remove the casette in order to remove the axle?

I didn't think I should have to, but after removing the locking nut and cone on the non-drive side I can't push the axle through.

If I do have to remove the casette I'm guessing I'll need a special casette removal tool to do this. Will I need one of theose 'chain whip' things I've seen as well?

Any tips or help is greatly appreciated.

Monty Dog

Depends on whether you can easily reach the cones with spanners with the cassette in place - you might be able use a socket on one end

ratsbeyfus

I can't easily get to the drive side cone with the cassette there. Shouldn't the axle complete withe drive side cone and locking nut just pop out when the non-drive side nut and cone has been removed?

whyamihere

There will be a metal dustguard attached to the cone, behind the cassette lockring, which is too big to fit out past the lockring. You can tap the axle from the other side to force the dustguard off the cone (it's only a friction fit) to get the axle out, but you're still in trouble when you want to put it back...

You need to take the cassette off.

ratsbeyfus

Thanks for that.

So do I just need a Shimano specific cassette removal tool to do this? Or a chain whip? Or both?

whyamihere

Shimano cassette tool and chain whip.

ratsbeyfus

More bleeping money!

Thanks for the help though.

nicklouse

well it is not just a shimano tool. it does Sram/sun race and most other cassettes just not Campy. and a chain tool is needed to hold the cassette still but and old chain can be made to work if you have some metal a drill and a chain tool.

ratsbeyfus

Great... if anyone has any of those casettes and you want 'em removed just pop round my gaff and I'll do it for you! The milky bars are on me.