mbweedman

Hi all,
Am completing my first build, and tried to install a bb the other day, and ran into what I think is a problem. Did a search, but could not find a thread that addresses this (it may not be a problem, but an indication of my lack of experience here).

The left side of the bb threads into the shell quite fine, but the right side--the plastic removable side, wouldn't go in. To be sure, I double and triple checked that I was threading the correct direction, but still no luck. So, upon inspection, I realized that inside the shell was a ring of some sort that is threaded, about 1/4" wide, and nearly impossible to remove (I say nearly to allow that I may just not be smart enough to do it). Anyway, this ring is preventing the other side of the bb to enter the shell and thread itself tight. Because of grease and tight spaces, I can only get the ring to move a couple of threads either direction.

Is this a common thing? Is it just not written about in the books I've looked at? I havn't found anything online anywhere, but again, I just may not be looking in the right spots.

Thanks!

motorhommmer

Let us know what kind of frame you have.

https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=94

Look here and see if anything obvious comes up. Please post back any results. Lastly if you do not get the thing sorted, post a picture

Brian

mbweedman

Thanks for that link--I had been there before, but still didn't find anything that sticks right out. The frame is a 2001 Bianchi Volpe, and the bb is a shimano un52. Both are used and did not, obviously, come together. I'll see if I can get a decent enough photo to post on here.

Thanks

jazzy_cyclist

I guess this is obvious, but can you ask the frame seller about this "ring"? Are you saying that this is lodged in the BB shell threads?

cuda2k

Sounds like a piece of the old BB that was left in there due to one problem or another in removing it. Agree with jazzy - get in touch with the previous owner and ask him what's that about. If he didn't disclose the issue, he's got some serious explainin to do. Lots of WD40 or other grease cutting agent should help clean up the area to allow for better grip - also if the said ring is plastic try to cut a groove in it to allow for better grip when attempting to remove.

HillRider

Some older Shimano bottom brackets had plastic fixing rings on the non-cartridge side. These had an unfortunate tendency to break off when attempting to remove them leaving a "plastic ring" like you found inside the bb shell. It happened to me a couple of times.

I took a hacksaw blade and VERY CAREFULLY cut two opposing shallow (don't hit the threads!) slits in the plastic parallel to the bb shell so I could get a couple of screwdrive blades into the cuts to turn out the ring.

mbweedman

Well, excellent diagnosis, all of you. This is the problem--I'm sad to say I know this becuase I broke the plastic removable side off on the other side (yeah, the one its not supposed to be in, but I was seeing if the thing would thread on anything at all.) So, good job.
Thanks for the tips on removing. I do intend to contact the previous owner, because this wasn't disclosed at all. Though, I didn't pay much for the frame, so am not overly anxious, assuming I can get this out and get this thing working.
Anyway, thanks for your help and quick wits, and anyone with any other advice please feel free pass it on.

cuda2k

Hillrider has a good solution if it is a plastic ring. Basically where I was going with my response, but without stating it as clearly. I've used the plastic ring thing to check the drive side threads on a BB shell before. Seems my BB tool meshes with the plastic thing MUCH better than the actual BB and the plastic threads seem to do the job of cleaing out any crap in the threads while not being strong enough screw up the threads of the shell if you cross thread or have other issues. But I digress. Good luck getting it out.

mbweedman

Thanks again for your help. As is often the case, problem is solved with the Spyderco and a small hammer.

HillRider

As is so often the case, a pocket knife and a hammer aren't the exact tools for any problem but they will work adequately for a huge range of problems. Glad you got it solved.

cuda2k

When it comes to problem solving - there's a little MacGyver in all of us.