Mine was tight when I changed it a while back and I used a bearing puller so was straight forward enough. I have never had a front sprocket that could be changed by hand. To me that sounds like a worn output spline. That said I have only ever changed four so there are many more experience people than me out there who may advise. Bearing pullers are cheap enough and whilst only used sporadically, are worth the outlay.

As long as you don't punch yourself in the jaw with a breaker bar like I did when cracking off the nut on the front sprocket! It hurt like hell but I laughed as it must have looked funny.

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DickyC

Gun Metal Grey 2014 XT660Z
'Advice is sought by someone who knows the answer but doesn't like it'

'The adsence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously'