Bicycle Mechanics - How the heck do you remove this Bottom Bracket?

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imoprefontaine
10-24-08, 03:38 PM
So, I am a beginner. But I must say, I have learned a lot thus far . . . how however, I have run into a snag.
While stripping down my bike, I got it down to the to the bottom brackets. Now I've searched all over the net, and can't find a way to remove this specific kind. Do I need special tools? If so, which ones? Whats the best way to tackle this bad boy?


DannoXYZ
10-24-08, 03:51 PM
Tools needed:

1. lockring tool to remove lockring from adjustable-cup (2nd pic)
2. pin-spanner to turn adjustable-cup
3. fixed-cup tool to remove the fixed-cup (1st pic).

In my earlier pre-teen days, I've used:

1. hammer and flat-screwdriver to undo the lockring
2. needle-nose pliers, put the tips into the depressions in the cup and turn
3. big channel-lock pliers to undo the fixed-cup. Remember that this is reverse-threaded, so you turn it to the right (clockwise) to remove.

Little Darwin
10-24-08, 04:06 PM
And the pre-teen tools are fine, especially if you plan to replace it with a more modern BB.

By the way, I have found that for me channel-locks also work well for the lock ring. :)


imoprefontaine
10-24-08, 04:17 PM
I'm definitely going to replace the bracket, therefore I plan to use the pre-teen way. :-)

Does the locking screw off or pop off? Should I get a flathead screwdriver, line it up perpendicular with the bike and start hacking away with a hammer in order to pop it off?

Thanks for the advice.

b1g bleu
10-24-08, 04:37 PM
Oh man, do you store your bike at the beach?? I clicked on the left image and was shocked. Hopefully the internals aren't corroded like that.

biker128pedal
10-24-08, 04:38 PM
There is not too much corrosion. You may want to soak it with a little PB Penetrating Catalyst to loosen the threads.

PB Blaster (http://blasterchemical.com/display.cfm?p=50003&pid=4)

Mondoman
10-24-08, 05:04 PM
You can make your own fixed-cup tool for a few dollars by following Sheldon Brown's suggestion: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/bbcups.html

dscheidt
10-24-08, 05:05 PM
I'm definitely going to replace the bracket, therefore I plan to use the pre-teen way. :-)

Does the locking screw off or pop off? Should I get a flathead screwdriver, line it up perpendicular with the bike and start hacking away with a hammer in order to pop it off?

Thanks for the advice.

It screws off. Put the punch in a slot, tangent to the ring, and whack with a hammer. Then go to the next slot, and do the same thing. Once it starts, it should get easier to turn. AS others have said, spray everything with penetrating oil, and let it soak. Spray it twice every day, if you can wait a couple days.

dperreno
10-24-08, 06:48 PM
I'm definitely going to replace the bracket, therefore I plan to use the pre-teen way. :-)

Does the locking screw off or pop off? Should I get a flathead screwdriver, line it up perpendicular with the bike and start hacking away with a hammer in order to pop it off?

Thanks for the advice.

Everything screws off. The fixed cup is the one on the right (chain) side. You can probably also use a very large crescent wrench (like 15") on the flats, but the channel locks will be easier, as long as the handles are long enough.

bobbyahines
10-24-08, 08:06 PM
Just for clarification, the Fixed Cup (1st picture) is reverse threaded (lefty tighty, righty loosey), while the lockring and adjustable cup are regular threading. Sounds like a fun project!

-Bobby

cuevélo
10-24-08, 08:24 PM
Just for clarification, the Fixed Cup (1st picture) is reverse threaded (lefty tighty, righty loosey), while the lockring and adjustable cup are regular threading. Sounds like a fun project!

-Bobby

All 100% correct

bluenote157
10-24-08, 08:25 PM
heck..if you are going to replace it, use a vise wrench.
The lockring will screw off counter clockwise...so you want to hammer in that direction to get it going.
With the lip that is exposed once you have the lockring off, get the vise wrench and go at it..
..maybe use it on the fixed cup side as well.

If it is a french bike, the threading is different in terms of screwing clockwise/counterclockwise.

Retro Grouch
10-24-08, 08:51 PM
Tools needed:

1. lockring tool to remove lockring from adjustable-cup (2nd pic)
2. pin-spanner to turn adjustable-cup
3. fixed-cup tool to remove the fixed-cup (1st pic).

In my earlier pre-teen days, I've used:

1. hammer and flat-screwdriver to undo the lockring
2. needle-nose pliers, put the tips into the depressions in the cup and turn
3. big channel-lock pliers to undo the fixed-cup. Remember that this is reverse-threaded, so you turn it to the right (clockwise) to remove.

All true as far as it goes.

The big issue sometimes is removing the drive side cup. That's sometimes called the fixed cup with good justification. The trick is to get whatever you're using as a tool to stay in contact while you put a LOT of torque to it. There are various commercial gizmos that you can buy which hold your BB tool flat against the fixed cup. You can bodge your own with a long bolt to extend through the BB shell and a couple of big washers. I've even heard of guys using a c-clamp for that purpose.

cbfight
10-24-08, 10:27 PM
For the fixed cup, I just soak the thing in penetrating oil overnight and take a large channel-lock plier to it. Note: the plier surface is much wider than the fixed cup tool surface, so take care when applying torque. I usually slowly increase the torque until the plier is nice and snug with the cup and then smack the handle of the plier a bunch with a large spanner. Seems to do the trick.