Back in December 2009, I wrote asking why my Freud FT2000 router wouldn't release the router bit when the collet nut was loosened. "allstarbob" wrote and said to sandpaper the collet. That didn't make much sense to me, nor did it help. The real answer became obvious when I got a new collet and the problem remained. The culprit was the collet nut. The inset (or whatever you call it) inside the nut was worn, so it didn't catch the "head" of the collet to draw it out when the nut was loosened. That is, the nut loosened, but the collet and bit stayed TIGHT. Please tell allstarbob that a new collet nut did the trick and to remember this for future reference. DWA

Hello there
Seems like the RE175 manual is not longer available at Ryobi.

This is from the manual for the RE180 which MUST be similar to the re175. Manual download here https://manuals.ttigroupna.com/system/files/5849/original/RE180PL1_448_trilingual_05.pdf?2014

From page 7 ....To remove the bit:

Place the wrench provided through front of router base
onto collet nut and turn counterclockwise to loosen.

Loosen the collet nut and remove the bit.

Release the spindle lock

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Never tighten a router collet empty. This will bend the collet smaller and it will be too tight.
Simply replace the collet. Call the Mfg the collet may be off specs a few thousands of an inch.
When not using the router store the nut loose on the threads enough it doesnt fall off.

Mike, The fit is just a little more snug than you expect. The collet is springy, and will expand to fit your bits, even if they were oversize (which is very unlikely). Put on a leather glove and just push the shank of the bit into the collet. Do not try to file down the shank of your router bits, you will only make them run eccentric. You don't need to remove the collet. Just loosen the locking nut about a half turn after it is easy to turn. Good luck. Thanks for using FixYa. Al Kupchella

DW660 is suppose to be a tool free bit insertion and removal. However a wrench may be necessary. If you have loosened the the collet nut either with the collet grip or a wrench and the bit does not come out. Remove the collet nut completely from the tool. Remove the the collet with the bit in it. With a couple of plyers, one use to hold the broken bit the other to twist the collet. Sometimes when the bit is overtighten the collet locks on to the bit so to speak and the collet wont expand back out thus releasing the bit by doing the above it will expand back out and release the bit. Reinstall the collet and collet nut.

I hope this helps, thanks for using FIXYA. Good luck and have a great weekend. Jeff

I put in a bit that fitted the existing collet. When I took this out, the collet came with it.

a new collet won't hurt, but you may try sanding down the inside of your existing collet with 120 - 180 grit sandpaper. also, buff down the router bits

any condensation or moisture that may have gotten on these items can cause almost invisible oxidation that you can remove easily by sanding. DO NOT USE WD40!!!

The collet is loosely screwed on, correct?
Is it close, or 1/4" off. You may need an adapter for different sized bits.
I have noticed, particularly with Freud bits, that they seem a bit oversized. Try putting the bit in the collet before you insert the collet into the router.
If you're very careful, you can use fine emory cloth (like 400 grit or higher) to polish the bit by cutting a long strip and clamping the bit in a vice, then gently polish the shank a little to allow it to fit into the collet. Pull back and forth on the ends of the sandpaper like you were buffing shoes, but I would only recommend this if you can use a micrometer to check the shank and it is in fact oversize.
You could create a dangerous situation if you polish too much and the bit is not held securely in the collet and flies out when the router is under load.
Another technique is to sand a slight chamfer on the end of the bit to help it slide into the collet.
Or return it and try another brand.

I hope this information allows you to resolve this issue. If you need further assistance, please post back with a comment to this thread.
If I've managed to answer your question or solve a problem, please take just a moment to rate this post....thanks!

I just did this on my black and decker router. You need to unscrew the nut that holds the collet and remove it altogether. Then slip out the collet in there and replace it with the new size. Take care to notice how it goes in when you take the old one out. Then rescrew the nut that holds it in place and tighten. My router had three collets and only one of them works for each size, so if it doesn't tighten properly, it may be the wrong size. Good luck.

I have had a similar problem with my hitachi m 12 v. I ground the end of a long flat piece of metal so that it would fit around the collet. Mine had sort of a lip on it that the home made tool would fit under. the thing I made was shaped like an  open end wrench. I had to grind it down so it would be thin enough to fit under the lip and just fit around the collet. Then I hit it with a small hammer. a few times on each side of the collet. I kept going from one side to the other until the collet popped out.