I was taking apart an old mtb and the bb cups have loose bearings that are enclosed in the cups by a metallic retainer of some sort that looks to be built into the cup. The bearings seem pretty beat up so I was just wondering if anyone had experience with this type of cup and how to maybe get the bearings out or if that even seems worthwhile. The cups are likely beat up too, but I'd rather not mess them up if they are ok and possibly reuse them with good bearings. Thanks

the retainer pulls out and you can pop the bearings out them and put in new ones. you can also run loose balls, should be about 11 1/4 balls

I should have taken a picture, I think I've got something different. The balls are loose and not in the usual removable bearing retainers. Instead there is what looks to be a lip of metal built into the bearing cup that keeps the loose balls in there. I may just start prying at that lip with a screwdriver since the bearings don't look good. As long as whatever I bend or break out doesn't get in the way it should be fine.