Bicycle Mechanics - Bottom Bracket cups won't come out

Hello,

I am trying to remove my old bottom bracket and replace it with a new RaceFace SRX splined bottom bracket. Only problem is that I canot get the drive side cup to come loose! I got the left side out perfectly, but the right side will not budge! I even borke a wrench trying to remove it. Not sure exactly what kind of wrench it is, but it's the one where you have a switch for tighten or loosen, and then you turn it one way, and if you turn it the other, it will make a clicking sound and won't turn the bolt. Stripped the wrench all up internally.

Anyway, I have tried to loosen the cup by turning in both directions, mainly clockwise. I have also sprayed a ton of WD-40 on it, and other lubricants. Still won't come loose. I have an adapter that lets you use an allen to turn it, which I am using now. You can see the allen bending, and the cup won't move. How in the world can I get this out??

And by the way, the bike is an '04 Trek 4300, with the stock bottom bracket that I am trying to remove.

-Garrett

Persuasion with a hammer comes to mind. ;)

j/p

I tried to use the vice method, but that still did not work. What should I do? Take it to the LBS and have to pay big $$$? Or keep on trying the vice method?

Big bucks??? I don't think they would charge you a lot just to remove a BB cup. Call and ask, don't assume.

DEMON

$15 my guess

I did the same thing! I ended up using a pipe wrench with a leftover piece of large bore pipe that fit over the end for more leverage. A long enough lever will generate enough force. Just make sure that you are turning in the correct direction.
-Nancy

So are you sure that a Trek 4300 will be turned clockwise to remove the driveside cup? I have a huge 4 foot long pipe that can fit over my allen to get it out. Tired it, and turning clockwise, I could not get it to come loose. I could even see the allen bending.

-Garrett

So are you sure that a Trek 4300 will be turned clockwise to remove the driveside cup?

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQcartdg.shtml

-s

Took the bike to the LBS and they removed it for $10. They had differnt tools that enabled them to get a better grip. The guy said that he had never seen a bottom bracket cup that was that hard to remove!

Now I just need to put everything back together.

-Garrett

Before you reassemble it, have the shop chase the bb threads and check to see if the shell needs refacing. The thread chasing SHOULD prvent the bb cups from getting jammed again, providing that you properly grease them before installation, and periodically remove them for cleaning and a new application of grease. Anything that is left threaded together for a really long time is NOT going to want to come apart again.

DEMON

All parts that hold bearings loosen in the direction the bearings rotate under load.

Drive side crank arm spins clockwise under load therefore drive side cup comes off clockwise.

Left pedal's bearings spin clockwise under load therefore left bearing unscrews clockwise.

Exception: Items that require lockrings. For example cones on hubs tend to be naturally threaded (unscrew is counter clockwise)... This is actually more due to the fact that these are using compression to hold the assembly together and the locknut keeps the cone from moving.

Note: this is the rule and there are some exceptions in older bikes.

I read that some Italian frames have right hand threaded drive side cups? Any more info?