Rubber mallet to remove cranks?
01-12-07, 01:27 PM
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Rubber mallet to remove cranks?
I know, it sounds like a bad idea and I will probably order a crank puller soon, but I'm just curious. I have a rubber mallet that's hollow and filled with buckshot to give it weight. I've used it to straighten rims and it seems to do the trick without denting the rim (I also use a plank of wood between the rim and the mallet). Could one remove the cranks with such a mallet by tapping on the crank chainring without doing any damage? This would be harder to do on the non-drive side though...
01-12-07, 01:36 PM
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yeah probably a bad idea...if you took your time you could maybe pull it off with minimal damage. but in this case taking your time could equal the shipping time for a nice brand new crank puller to come in the mail or for you to drive to the LBS.
or if your strapped for cash you could try teeth pulling methods like tying your crank to a doorknob and slamming the door....
or if your strapped for cash you could try teeth pulling methods like tying your crank to a doorknob and slamming the door....
01-12-07, 01:38 PM
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if you try the doorknob method defenitely get some video. i bet that footage would do fairly well on youtube at least within the bike community 
01-12-07, 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by kmart
I know, it sounds like a bad idea
01-12-07, 02:05 PM
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This sounds like a bad idea. I would try it on some sort of thrift store bike if at all. I would worry about damaging the crank as it is softer metal than the BB spindle. It seems like you could easily deform the crank where it meets the spindle if you hit it too hard.
01-12-07, 03:04 PM
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I get the point 
01-12-07, 03:15 PM
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I agree with everyone else: the mallet is probably a bad idea.
A method that sometimes works is to remove the crank bolts, take the bike to a *very safe* location (no cars, peds, dogs, cliffs to fall over, etc.) and pedal slowly and carefully in a high-ish gear to loosen the cranks enough to pull them off by hand. This probably won't work with splined cranks, but often does with tapered square spindles.
OBLIGATORY WARNING: If the crank(s) come off unexpectedly, you could lose control, fall down, hurt yourself, die, or experience other negative outcomes. Be careful.
And, remember: a Pedro's crank puller that works with almost all cranks costs about $20, and it includes an 8mm Allen wrench for modern crank bolts.
A method that sometimes works is to remove the crank bolts, take the bike to a *very safe* location (no cars, peds, dogs, cliffs to fall over, etc.) and pedal slowly and carefully in a high-ish gear to loosen the cranks enough to pull them off by hand. This probably won't work with splined cranks, but often does with tapered square spindles.
OBLIGATORY WARNING: If the crank(s) come off unexpectedly, you could lose control, fall down, hurt yourself, die, or experience other negative outcomes. Be careful.
And, remember: a Pedro's crank puller that works with almost all cranks costs about $20, and it includes an 8mm Allen wrench for modern crank bolts.
01-12-07, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by kalliergo
A method that sometimes works is to remove the crank bolts, take the bike to a *very safe* location (no cars, peds, dogs, cliffs to fall over, etc.) and pedal slowly and carefully in a high-ish gear to loosen the cranks enough to pull them off by hand. This probably won't work with splined cranks, but often does with tapered square spindles.
01-12-07, 03:52 PM
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There is a reason that a tool is made specifically for this job.....because it works well and will not damage anything when used properly. It is often cheapskates who pay the most.
01-12-07, 04:37 PM
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What you are really going to be putting the impact into is the bottom bracket bearings.
01-12-07, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by TheSlav
i LOVE this idea. cheap and exciting
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