Bicycle Mechanics - Noob wanting to work on Bottom Bracket...Help/Advice?

Hi everyone..I am wanting to attempt to take out the BB and clean and reinstall myself rather than take to the LBS. This will be my first "major" maintenance project. While I am scared I'll really mess something up, if it is not to complex a project I am wanting to attempt it. I have read the ParkTool site and have two manuals in front of me and it seems pretty straightforward.

I do need help though choosing the tools I will need. Currently I have a Shimano Tiagra crankset FC-4550 on a GT Series 3 (2010, I think) F100405665 or 201003172-3. First, since I don't have any tools except the normal household variety, what specific tool do I need to get the Cranks off and what BB tool do I need for whatever kind is there? I am thinking this will work...
http://www.parktool.com/product/bottom-bracket-tool-bbt-9
with this...
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k187/swipper74/Ebay/2011-08-18130713.jpg

Thanks for the help and please any advice or words of caution would be greatly appreciated...

U want to take even the cups out?

Go to the lbs and get the tools u need in there, u need an allen wrench that may be a 5 mm (not sure), un screw the allen screw in the crank 1st... then take the plastic cup out using the shimano whatever tool that always come with the one in for the cups. Once that piece goes out the crank will go out and then u can PULL out the driver side crank out

Then use the big wrench to take the cups out, the cups lose turning to the front of the frame just in case. In both sides is the same. Then u are done. 10 minutes or less if you know what are u doing, dont take my word for granted tho because i have put together this things maybe 3 times all my life and not for me, for friends so i might have missed a step but pretty much this is how is done. I'm a darn campy guy but all this stuff is the same tho.

good luck.

why do you want to take it out and clean it? other than cleaning the outside of the cartridge there is nothing you can service.

Unless the BB threads are dry or dirty (and thus creaking or clicking), removing and reinstalling the BB cups won't do anything other than prove that you can do it. The bearings aren't designed to be serviced, though.

The BBT-9 has two working ends that will engage both the adjustment cap on the left crank arm and the BB cups. The BBT-19 is for use on the BB cups only, but it will allow you to use a torque wrench as well as a longer ratchet if you need the additional leverage. It's necessary to get the cups adequately tight, and the use of a torque wrench can help ensure this. If you go with the BBT-19, both Shimano and Park offer seperate tools for the adjustment cap. Park's is BBT-10.

With the external BB, they are one of the easiest parts to work on with a bike, screw the old one out, replace, screw a new one back in, the Park tool you have selected, and a wrench for the bolts is all you need, should be a 10 minute job.

Wouldn't bother doing anything with it unless the bearing needs replacing, you can tell this as the BB will be stiff / the cranks very hard to turn.

Here are the instructions: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/external-bearing-crank-systems-hollowtech-ii-megaexo-giga-x-pipe-x-type-campagnolo-ultra-torque

Remember that you first need to loosen the clamp bolts that secure the non-drive-side crankarm (the one in your photo) to the spindle, then you can unscrew the plastic cap and remove the crankarm.

Unless the BB threads are dry or dirty (and thus creaking or clicking), removing and reinstalling the BB cups won't do anything other than prove that you can do it. The bearings aren't designed to be serviced, though.


That is exactly why I want to do it...On the downstroke while exerting a lot of pressure on the crank, I get a clicking noise on the left crank at the bottom of the downstroke. Taking the bike to a lbs and having it cleaned before solved the problem...I just want to do it myself and save a little dough also...

That is exactly why I want to do it...

If that's what you want to do, would suggest taking it to a LBS, and getting the BB shell tapped and the chased & faced, this isn't a job for the home mechanic, due to the cost of the tools required.

The BBT-9 tool is pretty affordable, $15-20 on line and I'm sure you can find one at a reasonable price at your LBS. I'm not sure what your mechanic charged you but I would think the tool would pay for itself rather quickly. The process is pretty straight forward as stated above and has cleared up my creaking BB every time.

Just an update...Got the BBT-9 and took out the bottom bracket, cleaned all the grit, and placed back. NO problems at all and a quick job. Last time I had this done, LBS charged me $40, so doing it myself saved me $24 after purchasing the tool. Now I don't have that annoying click on my downstroke when pressure is applied to the left crankarm. Easy job and glad I took it own...Thanks for all the info and replies!