Weird bottom bracket
 

Hi Folks. I have a Orbit Eclipse Countryman bike that I am restoring. Having trouble removing the BB. It is a square drive with only one side (LHS) with a key way machined into the cup flange. I placed a C spanner in the only 1 slot and applied a moderate torque and bugga me it cracked the flange. Anyone know what type of BB it could be. It has no tool machining slots flats etc on the drive side but as stated a single C spanner slot on non drive. Cheers Kal.

Even without a pic, I know exactly what you are talking about.

I know how to do it.

So what's the next step?
The OP has to beg so you have some sense of power?

Bill- I think soyabean meant he has seen a lot of designs but can't figure out from the OP's description which one it might be. My poor Google search for images of "Orbit Eclipse Countryman bike" didn't help me...

There's a few questions I might want answers for before I feel confident on what to do. My lacking confidence thought is that the BB outer casing has a tapered fit to the drive side and the non drive side "cup" is what both helps axially align the BB and draw it into the BB shell ID. I've worked with plastic "cartridge" BB units that have used a mix of tapers and cup/rings. Thankfully not that many...

Can the OP tell us what the broken cup flange is made of? Andy

I didn't read it that way at all.

I thought it might be the type that took the PARK HCW-11-

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...47015588d4.jpg

I've got nothing on the BB but here's a rebuild thread of an 80's countryman with a few pictures: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/356175/ . The BB shown is not the same.

If the cup is mangled, and can't get a wrench on it, you can either back it out with a chisel, or spot weld an axle to it, and use an impact wrench, a little penetrant is a good idea. If you are going to repaint the frame the torch is your friend.

Thanks for replies folks. The BB appears to be steel (and rather brittle at that so definitely hardened steel). Have been soaking in good old CRC and will also use "mouses milk". I am restoring frame so will be replacing BB. Does anyone know of a great replacement BB.

Regards Kal

OP: pictures would help greatly.

Though you can't add pictures to your posts as a new member, you can upload photos to a personal album you create in your user profile. If you do that and then post the fact you've done so, someone here will doubtless give a "pic assist" and post them on your behalf.