Bicycle Mechanics - need help w/ badly mangled bottom bracket

Hi all,

My first post here, and I've got a real mess on my hands.

I am replacing an Isis BB on my alu framed commuter, a Novara Buzz. I had no problem using the Park BB tool to remove the non-drive side cup, but the drive side cup is seized and I rounded off the notches so that the tool won't grip anymore.

I used a Dremel to try to cut an edge back in, but that didn't work well, so I thought to cut the face off a portion of the cup so that I could try to hammer against the cup to get it to turn.

The aluminum, being so soft, just got chewed up, so that didn't work, and here I am, desperate for ideas.

Any helpful tips are appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

****RESOLVED**** See below if interested in solution.

Find a mounted secure vise. Secure the vise on the fixed cup and turn the frame until the cup loosens.

Thanks for the quick reply, Revolator. Sounds like a great idea! There's not much there to clamp onto, but it's certainly worth a shot.

The vise is probably going to do a better job than any other hand held tool, and the mounted vise is much safer.

You might want to have the LBS do it, probably because an experienced mech. has probably done this before.

Most drive side BB are reverse threaded. Be sure to turn it the right direction.

Thanks guys, I got it out!

Thinking on how to get the vise on the cup, I decided to cut to parallel flats. Once I did that, I thought I might be able to get a wrench on it...just to give it a try.

My large Visegrips snapped on, and I was able to turn it out.

Thanks for the idea, revolater. Sometimes one just needs to step back and get a fresh line of thought on a problem, instead of continuing in the same vein!

Good! I'm glad this story had a happy ending.:)

Large Visegrips or Channel-loks are the ultimate tool! For extra-grip, I've actually used a 2nd pair of Channel-loks to squeeze the handles together on the 1st pair.

Good job! :)