Cranks stuck on square taper BB
#1
Thread Starter
I never finish anyth


Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,114
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From: Western KY
Bikes: 2008 Merckx LXM, 2003 Giant XTC mtb, 2001 Lemond Alpe d'Huez, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1989 Cannondale ST, 1988 Masi Nuovo Strada, 1983 Pinarello Turismo
Cranks stuck on square taper BB
I have a set of Shimano 600 tri-color cranks that seem to be welded to the square taper BB. My park tool crank remover has not made any headway at all, and I'm reluctant to use any more torque on it for fear of stripping the removal threads. I have an automotive-type pulley/gear puller but the "hooks" are too large to fit between the back of the crank and the BB. I could grind them down, but is there a puller that others have used to remove stuck cranks? I'm willing to buy a tool if it will do that job properly without damage to the cranks.
Looking for recommendations. Thanks in advance.
Apparently I can't spell "square" this morning. Don't know how to edit the thread title.
Looking for recommendations. Thanks in advance.
Apparently I can't spell "square" this morning. Don't know how to edit the thread title.
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Dale, NL4T
Dale, NL4T
#3
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: Richmond VA area
Bikes: '00 Koga Miyata Full Pro Oval Road bike.
I've never had a standard crank arm puller fail to remove the crank arm, even if it felt really tight on the spindle. I'd screw the puller in tightly and try again, it should remove the arm. If the threads do get pulled out instead of the arm coming off, you could also cut the crank arm off at that point, which of course will destroy the arm.
#4
Thread Starter
I never finish anyth


Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 137
From: Western KY
Bikes: 2008 Merckx LXM, 2003 Giant XTC mtb, 2001 Lemond Alpe d'Huez, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1989 Cannondale ST, 1988 Masi Nuovo Strada, 1983 Pinarello Turismo
[MENTION=380471]FBOATSB[/MENTION], that ship already sailed. The only components on the frame are the cranks/BB. For what it's worth, the crank bolts backed out fine and both were greased.
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Dale, NL4T
Dale, NL4T
#5
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From: South shore, L.I., NY
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Wood dowel and/or narrow stick, knock away at it from non- drive side with a mallet ?
#8
BIKE RIDE


Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Michigan
Bikes: GUNNAR CrossHairs / Riv RoadUno / TrekBike 950
i had to hack saw off a non-drive side crank. I think I somehow buggard things up with the proper crank removal tool - or more likely I had the wrong head size on the crank removal tool.
I think I might have tried one of these: https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tool...80720135940:s#
But I don't see in the picture what goes on the "back side" of the crank. I will check when I get home if I don't see a post saying you have resolved your issue.
I think I might have tried one of these: https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tool...80720135940:s#
But I don't see in the picture what goes on the "back side" of the crank. I will check when I get home if I don't see a post saying you have resolved your issue.
#9
I have a set of Shimano 600 tri-color cranks that seem to be welded to the square taper BB. My park tool crank remover has not made any headway at all, and I'm reluctant to use any more torque on it for fear of stripping the removal threads. I have an automotive-type pulley/gear puller but the "hooks" are too large to fit between the back of the crank and the BB. I could grind them down, but is there a puller that others have used to remove stuck cranks? I'm willing to buy a tool if it will do that job properly without damage to the cranks.
Looking for recommendations. Thanks in advance.
Apparently I can't spell "square" this morning. Don't know how to edit the thread title.
Looking for recommendations. Thanks in advance.
Apparently I can't spell "square" this morning. Don't know how to edit the thread title.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 108
From: Middle of the road, NJ
Firstly, remove your puller, clean the threads on the crank, (check for a washer), screw the puller all the way in, use a wrench to make sure it's all the way in. Then proceed to remove the crank as your normally would. When you get as far as you can by hand, hit the puller handle or wrench with a dead blow hammer. Start soft, then harder until the crankk comes off.
Good Luck
Good Luck
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Roswell, GA
Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta
Firstly, remove your puller, clean the threads on the crank, (check for a washer), screw the puller all the way in, use a wrench to make sure it's all the way in. Then proceed to remove the crank as your normally would. When you get as far as you can by hand, hit the puller handle or wrench with a dead blow hammer. Start soft, then harder until the crankk comes off.
Good Luck
Good Luck
#12
Thread Starter
I never finish anyth


Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,114
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From: Western KY
Bikes: 2008 Merckx LXM, 2003 Giant XTC mtb, 2001 Lemond Alpe d'Huez, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1989 Cannondale ST, 1988 Masi Nuovo Strada, 1983 Pinarello Turismo
They're off. Both of them. It was a combination of PB Blaster, heat, and some hammering of the puller with an old hammer handle that did it. Wow! Those cranks were not coming off without some serious torque. Don't know what torque was used to tighten the crank bolts, but I'm guessing it was a lot higher than the spec calls for. Probably some "mechanic" tightening them by "feel" instead of using a torque wrench.
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Hopefully the BB won't be quite so hard to remove. A Campy BB for a Comp triple crank is going in it's place - once the frame is back from some paintwork.
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Hopefully the BB won't be quite so hard to remove. A Campy BB for a Comp triple crank is going in it's place - once the frame is back from some paintwork.
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Dale, NL4T
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#14
Francophile

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From: Seattle
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They're off. Both of them. It was a combination of PB Blaster, heat, and some hammering of the puller with an old hammer handle that did it. Wow! Those cranks were not coming off without some serious torque. Don't know what torque was used to tighten the crank bolts, but I'm guessing it was a lot higher than the spec calls for. Probably some "mechanic" tightening them by "feel" instead of using a torque wrench.
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
#15
They're off. Both of them. It was a combination of PB Blaster, heat, and some hammering of the puller with an old hammer handle that did it. Wow! Those cranks were not coming off without some serious torque. Don't know what torque was used to tighten the crank bolts, but I'm guessing it was a lot higher than the spec calls for. Probably some "mechanic" tightening them by "feel" instead of using a torque wrench.
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Jeff Wills
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#16
Senior Member


Joined: Mar 2010
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I've only experienced this once and that was with a Miyata 1000 that I bought a couple months back. I'm pretty sure that nothing had been done to the Miyata since new as it still had the original tires and the original sponge on the bars, etc. The crank was tight on both sides, but a couple whacks (and who wouldn't want to whack a crank?) with a light hammer on the old Park crank tool and they were free, free, free at last.
#17
Thread Starter
I never finish anyth


Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 137
From: Western KY
Bikes: 2008 Merckx LXM, 2003 Giant XTC mtb, 2001 Lemond Alpe d'Huez, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1989 Cannondale ST, 1988 Masi Nuovo Strada, 1983 Pinarello Turismo
There was very little corrosion evident once the cranks were off, and the tapers were covered in PB Blaster so I couldn't tell if they were assembled dry or not. On the positive, they weren't going to come loose without something dramatic happening. I guess you'd have to say that the install was properly done from that perspective. Once the TdF stage is complete, I'll take the BB out and get the frame/fork cleaned up and ready for paint.
I ordered some white paint markers for the Pinarello (Uni Posca extra-fine) but they're coming from Japan, so won't have them for a little while. Hopefully they will work well for the panto on the Pinarello. I need to service the hubs, install pedals, and set up the cockpit - then the Pinarello will be ready for a maiden voyage.
I ordered some white paint markers for the Pinarello (Uni Posca extra-fine) but they're coming from Japan, so won't have them for a little while. Hopefully they will work well for the panto on the Pinarello. I need to service the hubs, install pedals, and set up the cockpit - then the Pinarello will be ready for a maiden voyage.
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Dale, NL4T
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