dustys

I have been unable to service my 1972 Peugeot UO-8 bottom bracket because I can't remove the retaining pins holding the cranks. I tried to drive out the pin but it was distorting and might have even mushroomed, compounding the problem. Does anyone have any suggestions ? Will I need wedges or pullers to get the crank arms off ? How many ball bearings are supposed to be on each side ?

AndrewP

When pounding those pins you need solid support on the back side of the crank, or all the force will go directly into the BB bearings. You should put an old nut on the pin and hammer that rather than the end of the pin, but it may be too late now. Try some penetrating oil. When installing new pins, hammer it in; dont use the nut to pull it in. Maybe you will just have to let the LBS take it apart. I suggest you get square taper spindle and matching cranks, rather than trying to put this lot together again.

mynameisnotdrew

word. cottered cranks suck big booty. oldie but baddie.

CRUM

Unless you are intent on keeping the original junk on this bike, take a saws all and cut the cranks off, remove the old Bottom Bracket and reinstall with something newer, like the set-up suggested in the previous post by AndrewP. If you want to save the old cranks and Bottom Bracket, get a hacksaw blade and cut the cotter out of the crank arms. Remove the old Bottom Bracket, replace the old bearings and reinstall. Using the hacksaw blade will test your patience big time, but it can be done.

miamijim

They make tools to press the cotters out. You local LBS should do it for a few bucks. The same tool re-installs the cotters.


If a local LBS isnt accesable you can:

1. Break of the threaded part.
2. Using a center punch.
3. Hit it real hard with a big ole hammer.

This is killer on the BB but what are you going to do?

sakarias

We have a pair of UO-8s and moved away from the cottered cranks they came with more than 25 years ago (a few years after we bought them). That would be my recommendation. Look for a cotterless alternative. I don't think you'll regret it.

Otherwise, challenge a bike shop with this problem.

Mike

mswantak

Last time I ran into a stuck cotter I ended up drilling it out.

ComPH

I had success drilling broken cotters out when I could not punch the cotter pins out (must be very careful doing so with some backing of the crank and with partially inserted screw, reinforcing the pin so youo don't destroy hte thread). If the pin's thread is already damaged, as you suggest, drilling the pin out works. The pin is made of soft steel, while the crank is very hard. Even partial drilling will release enough of the friction that the pins punches out very easily. I've done it many times successfully. Of course you than have to get either new cotter pin or use some more modern crank and axle arrangement. The cotter pin arrangements are usually very heavy and hard to work on witout the proper tool.

dustys

Many thanks for all of the responses. When I get ready I am sure that one of those suggestions will do the trick.


The Peugeot is going to be refurbished on an as needed basis because there is a new hybrid bike in my future. Less stress to the shoulders. Trek? Giant? Specialized? One of LBSs will get the cycle of my dreams in stock soon. Christmas is coming.