0speedbike

'lo folks.
A kid picked out a nice frame (some sorta light Richie MTN bike) from our build-me-up room but the aluminum cartridge bits have fused in the bb. Is there anyway of getting this out w/o screwing up the frame or should I just toss it in the recycling pile? I've also encountered this with aluminum seat posts in steel frames and have never been able to get them out. Any suggestions?

DannoXYZ 

PB Blaster is your friend. Spray it on, let it sit for a day or two. And the parts come off easily. I've had stubborn seatposts that refused to budge with other penetrating-oils and/or heat and breaker-bars just slide themselves into the seat-tube overnight after I've sprayed PB-blaster on.

0speedbike

Thanks! I'll check it out.

stausty

Aluminum oxide (the junk holding the two pieces together) will dissolve in basic solution. The more concentrated, the faster things will work (which may or may not be a good thing, depending on what is around) but anything from washing soda, to ammonia, to lye should work. Might take a good soak, though, to get everything loose.

Tabor

PB Blaster is a miracle worker. Also good: heat/cold, FORCE.

0speedbike

I had heard whispered rumors about soaking in ammonia but there were skeptics. I think it's worth a try though, and I'll pick up some o' that PB blaster for the shop as well (it is a free bike shop) . Thanks again

JohnDThompson 

Be sure to use an anti-seize compound when you reassemble the parts, so you don't have to go through this process again.

neil0502

General info on torque, lubrication, and fasteners:

https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=88

AND

https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=89

AND

https://www.sacskyranch.com/antiseize.htm

AND

https://www.raskcycle.com/techtip/webdoc14.html

operator

If you want a fast way that may damage the paint, then torch it. If you want a really slow way, dremel or hack saw. I would exhaust as reasonable maximum force on the bb with a proper tool and lever and tool to secure said proper tool on before resorting to my first two suggestions.

0speedbike

Thanks again,
Im posting all this handy info on our internal shop forum.

bikemeister

Tis why they invented marine-duty grease! Thick, stays put, waterproof, and stops corrosion.