Originally Posted by
Zaphod Beeblebrox
11 bearings per side should be correct.
The reason nobody takes the fixed cup out is because its a F*****'in B******** and a C*^$& **#^@$!!
seriosuly though unless you are replacing the cup or painting the frame there's really no need to take it out, just clean it in place.
If you
really are a glutton for punishment though and dont want the special Tool, you can use a bench vise. Clamp the vise on the raised section in the middle of the fixed cup. Tightly. Very Tightly. Then rotate the entire frame. The increased moment arm (your frame) will give you the leverage you'll need to get that sucker loose. Just be sure you're turining the correct direction
I wonder if painting the frame even requires the fixed cup to be removed, cover with a small plastic bag, masking tape in place, then stuff some more into the left side and leave that sucker in there. In fact it may be a good thing to leave it in there, to keep paint off the threads in the frame. If you really need it out, for example it's damaged, then I would simply take it to the LBS and let them take it out, they have the proper tool and the lack of aggravation would be worth the 20 bucks. Then they can get the proper replacement part. Although if I had to replace a fixed cup, I would be more likely to put in a cartridge BB and not have to worry about rebuilding it all the time. Unless of course it was French or Italian threaded, and then it might be tough to get the fixed cup anyway.