Bicycle Mechanics - Shimano Altus crank

Hi there i'm fixing up an old trek 800 with shimano altus crankset and have taken off the crank with the chainring to de-rust it. Now i want to put it back on but have never done this before and am wondering if i just slide it back on or if i have to use the crank tool. Obviously it would not come off without the tool before but if i just slide it back on then i can just slide it right off again making me think me is doing something wrong. Any advice appreciated thanks.

Well, yes, you just slide it back on...but then you obviously have to tighten the crank bolts which presses the cranks onto the spindle...

Well, yes, you just slide it back on...but then you obviously have to tighten the crank bolts which presses the cranks onto the spindle...


And assuming it's square taper, it pays to use the right torque. One of the "real" weaknesses of square taper is that cranks can wiggle if not torqued correctly, and that wiggle can destroy the fit real fast.

And assuming it's square taper, it pays to use the right torque. One of the "real" weaknesses of square taper is that cranks can wiggle if not torqued correctly, and that wiggle can destroy the fit real fast.
+1. Also the installation torque spec is quite high, 300- 400 inch-pounds, and is MUCH higher than you would be able to do with a regular 8 mm hex key or a short ratchet on the fixing bolt.

This isn't one of the recalled Shimano cranks with the skinny arms is it?

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml97/97149.html