Bicycle Mechanics - Trek 5500 bottom bracket repair

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vintapperen
01-14-10, 01:41 PM
I have a work colleague (not the original owner, so no warranty unfortunately) who has an early-ish Trek 5500 where the bottom bracket shell is becoming disbonded from the carbon frame (this would be the original type of bottom bracket shell, I think?). Now the question is - is there anything that would hinder us pressing out the aluminum BB shell so we can re-bond it? We have a full precision engineering workshop complete with precision engineer here at work and I have many years experience in the marine industry working with laminates and epoxy adhesives, so I think we can do the job, would just really appreciate some clarification on the BB construction. Also any other information that you think would be relevant would be great. Thanks!

Ex Pres
01-14-10, 01:53 PM
Don't tell me you're the third one with this issue. :crash:
Two earlier threads in the Road forum have hashed this out.
vintapperen
01-14-10, 02:57 PM
Don't tell me you're the third one with this issue. :crash:
Two earlier threads in the Road forum have hashed this out.

Hi - could you post a link to these threads then. Thanks

zoodude
01-15-10, 09:15 PM
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?614296-bb-unbound-trek-5500&highlight=trek+5500

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?603519-Considering-a-used-Trek&highlight=trek+5500
vintapperen
01-15-10, 10:44 PM
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?614296-bb-unbound-trek-5500&highlight=trek+5500

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?603519-Considering-a-used-Trek&highlight=trek+5500

Thanks! - there is some useful information in there.
RacerOne
01-16-10, 01:19 AM
Thanks! - there is some useful information in there.

How in the world did you sort through all that and find any useful information? You've got the patience of a saint.
vintapperen
01-16-10, 04:39 PM
How in the world did you sort through all that and find any useful information? You've got the patience of a saint.

There was a lot of noise in that last thread! - about 3 useful posts out of 800+

Not sure about having the patience of a saint, but the owner of the frame is a good guy and I would like to try and help him out. Will post an update when we have done a repair.
mconlonx
01-17-10, 09:34 AM
If you're unsure about doing the repair yourself, Calfee bikes says they repair CF.
vintapperen
07-08-10, 07:05 PM
Late update:

Actually it was a pretty easy repair.
1. The aluminium insert is is just a straightwalled cylinder and using a BB tool and a long spanner we made sure it was tuning freely (i.e. we broke the glue bond completely).
2. By gradually screwing out one of the BB cups and using a press we pressed out the insert.
3. Cleaned all the old epoxy from the mating surfaces.
4. Using a lathe put a straight knurl on the insert for better 'grip'
5. Reglued the insert using a high-strength two-pack epoxy

It has been in daily use for several months now