Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Hints on Removing BB cups?

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Hints on Removing BB cups?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-01-09, 04:37 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 252
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Hints on Removing BB cups?

I have an FSA crank/bottom bracket that went in for a warrantee checkout for some squeaking (turned out to be the chain). Anyhow, when trying to remove the BB cups (16 point cup), I saw the tech use a 3' breaker bar and still could not budge it!! Wow!

Any ideas of how to get this thing off without cracking the darn frame? They must have been overtorqued when installed. The bike is ~700 miles, 10 weeks old, Scattante carbon frame. I'm thinking of upgrading the BB to Ultegra soon and would like the know that the BB can come off.

I was thinking of stabilizing the bike on the tires, on the floor. Setting the wrench parallel to the floor and then - WHACK! One good impact with a 5# dead blow. Thoughts?
runway1 is offline  
Old 06-01-09, 04:44 PM
  #2  
cab horn
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353

Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times in 18 Posts
Originally Posted by runway1
I have an FSA crank/bottom bracket that went in for a warrantee checkout for some squeaking (turned out to be the chain). Anyhow, when trying to remove the BB cups (16 point cup), I saw the tech use a 3' breaker bar and still could not budge it!! Wow!

Any ideas of how to get this thing off without cracking the darn frame? They must have been overtorqued when installed. The bike is ~700 miles, 10 weeks old, Scattante carbon frame. I'm thinking of upgrading the BB to Ultegra soon and would like the know that the BB can come off.

I was thinking of stabilizing the bike on the tires, on the floor. Setting the wrench parallel to the floor and then - WHACK! One good impact with a 5# dead blow. Thoughts?
Do not use a hammer on it.

You need to be able to control the force and be able to tell when/if the tool is not seating correctly or is about to strip. My suggestion is to use a cheater bar to increase the amount of leverage. It is possible that the cups were installed with loctite, or nothing. We frequently use a 1m+ cheater bar on really difficult BB's (we see a lot of seized crap due to being a commuter shop). I was also going to suggest using fire, but no go if it's a carbon frame. Also stuff we don't see on a regular basis hehe.

Is it possible that it's corroded/seized? Or is this a brand new bike with no chance of that happening etc. etc.
operator is offline  
Old 06-01-09, 05:58 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
joejack951's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Wilmington, DE
Posts: 12,100

Bikes: 2016 Hong Fu FM-079-F, 1984 Trek 660, 2005 Iron Horse Warrior Expert, 2009 Pedal Force CX1, 2016 Islabikes Beinn 20 (son's)

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1242 Post(s)
Liked 94 Times in 65 Posts
Use one of these (or some improvisation of it) and you won't need to worry about the BB tool slipping:



https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...8&category=215

I've used a lot more than 3 feet of extension to remove a siezed BB cup. Are you sure the tech was turning the cup in the right direction though?
joejack951 is offline  
Old 06-01-09, 06:21 PM
  #4  
cab horn
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353

Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times in 18 Posts
Originally Posted by joejack951
Use one of these (or some improvisation of it) and you won't need to worry about the BB tool slipping:



https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...8&category=215

I've used a lot more than 3 feet of extension to remove a siezed BB cup. Are you sure the tech was turning the cup in the right direction though?
It's a 16 point external BB, fsa mega exo probably. That tool isn't going to hold jack**** because there's no axle for it to screw into.
operator is offline  
Old 06-01-09, 06:26 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
joejack951's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Wilmington, DE
Posts: 12,100

Bikes: 2016 Hong Fu FM-079-F, 1984 Trek 660, 2005 Iron Horse Warrior Expert, 2009 Pedal Force CX1, 2016 Islabikes Beinn 20 (son's)

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1242 Post(s)
Liked 94 Times in 65 Posts
Here's to paying attention to the OP

Don't be so quick to leave yourself out of that group though

Originally Posted by runway1
The bike is ~700 miles, 10 weeks old
Originally Posted by operator
Or is this a brand new bike with no chance of that happening
joejack951 is offline  
Old 06-01-09, 06:49 PM
  #6  
cab horn
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353

Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times in 18 Posts
I'm currently finishing a bottle of 10 year ardbeg. I think I can be excused from this one.
operator is offline  
Old 06-01-09, 07:59 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 252
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by operator
It's a 16 point external BB, fsa mega exo probably. That tool isn't going to hold jack**** because there's no axle for it to screw into.
Correct, 16 point nut. Yes, the tech is very good and I verified the direction of the arrows right on the nut.
runway1 is offline  
Old 06-01-09, 09:02 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
joejack951's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Wilmington, DE
Posts: 12,100

Bikes: 2016 Hong Fu FM-079-F, 1984 Trek 660, 2005 Iron Horse Warrior Expert, 2009 Pedal Force CX1, 2016 Islabikes Beinn 20 (son's)

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1242 Post(s)
Liked 94 Times in 65 Posts
Originally Posted by operator
I'm currently finishing a bottle of 10 year ardbeg. I think I can be excused from this one.
You have been pardoned.
joejack951 is offline  
Old 06-02-09, 11:44 AM
  #9  
Old fart
 
JohnDThompson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,779

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3583 Post(s)
Liked 3,395 Times in 1,929 Posts
Originally Posted by runway1
I have an FSA crank/bottom bracket that went in for a warrantee checkout for some squeaking (turned out to be the chain). Anyhow, when trying to remove the BB cups (16 point cup), I saw the tech use a 3' breaker bar and still could not budge it!! Wow!

Any ideas of how to get this thing off without cracking the darn frame? They must have been overtorqued when installed. The bike is ~700 miles, 10 weeks old, Scattante carbon frame. I'm thinking of upgrading the BB to Ultegra soon and would like the know that the BB can come off.

I was thinking of stabilizing the bike on the tires, on the floor. Setting the wrench parallel to the floor and then - WHACK! One good impact with a 5# dead blow. Thoughts?
Operator's right; don't hammer it.

Are you certain you're turning it the proper direction?
JohnDThompson is offline  
Old 06-02-09, 12:57 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: yreka, ca
Posts: 542

Bikes: like 15. my favorite a 1951 schwinn spitfire cruiser. also have a 1959 amf roadmaster, 1962 jch deluxe cruiser among others.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
i agree, no hammer. don't see why the non drive side cups won't come out. i am old school, so excuse me here: but IF it has a lockring, i assumed it is out and that you are untightening in th eproper direction. my thought is that it is the driveside cup that won't budge, if the axle is allready removed. if im wrong (and probably am) and its some sort of cartridge, then i don't know what to tell ya. picts help.
ogbigbird is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.