Bicycle Mechanics - 1987 Cannondale Bottom Bracket Help

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B.Sherer
04-14-12, 07:01 PM
Hello all, I recently picked up an old Cannondale and have been acquiring tools to take care of her. I'm trying to take apart the bottom bracket right now but am puzzled by what to do next. It looks like I might need some tool to fit in the circular holes.. am I on the right track? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the picture of what I'm facing:
245122


HillRider
04-14-12, 07:44 PM
The top photo is the "non-drive side" adjustable cup. Apparently you've removed the lockring and the holes in the cup use a pin spanner to remove it. You can improvise with a thin punch and hammer or even needle nose pliers. The cup has regular right-hand threading and comes out counterclockwise.

The lower photo is the "fixed cup" and requires a special wrench to remove or you can clamp the flats in a bench vise and use the frame as a lever. These cups are usually VERY tight and are left-hand threaded so they remove clockwise.

If you are just going to clean, relube and reassemble this bottom bracket and the cups are in good shape, it's not necessary to remove the fixed cup. If you are going to replace it entirely, then both cups must come out.

B.Sherer
04-14-12, 07:52 PM
Thank you very much for the information HillRider! I knew I could count on someone from here.


Jeff Wills
04-14-12, 07:56 PM
This: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/adjustable-type-bottom-bracket-service
and this: http://www.parktool.com/product/crank-and-bottom-bracket-wrench-HCW-5
and this: http://www.parktool.com/product/pin-spanner-green-SPA-1
or this: http://www.parktool.com/product/crank-and-bottom-bracket-wrench-hcw-4

are all you need.

http://www.parktool.com/uploads/images/blog/repair_help/adj_bb.jpg

FastJake
04-14-12, 08:11 PM
Once you remove the lockring, usually no tool is needed to remove the adjustable cup (the one with the holes in it.)

+1 If you are just cleaning and re-lubing do NOT remove the fixed cup. There is no reason to, they are difficult to remove, and will unscrew if not properly re-tightened.