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
+1 on the big bench vise. Best too if the vise have flat smooth clamping surfaces, instead of the knurled ones which will tend to slip easier, being that you are only gripping on to a very thin area. of the fixed cup flats.
Always did it that way and I have never been defeated by any fixed cup all these years....just make sure you know what way to turn the frame, or it could turn into a big disaster!
You can also use a big adjustable wrench (as big a wrench you can find!) but you have to make sure it's as tight and stable on the fixed cup before you start putting any force into it. I did this a couple of times when I did not have access to a good bench vise and I had my brother step on the wrench with the bike frame on a cement floor and it did not have anywhere to go when I started turning.
Chombi