Crankarm Removal.
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Crankarm Removal.
I posted this in the mountain biek section and got pointed here.
So basically I want to remove my shimano crankarms without specialized tools. Any tips or tricks? They are square holed if that makes any difference.
So basically I want to remove my shimano crankarms without specialized tools. Any tips or tricks? They are square holed if that makes any difference.
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If you don't want to buy the tool, take the bike to a shop and for maybe $10 they will remove them for you. Or, spend the $10 on a crank removal tool and do it yourself.
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Get a hammer, the bigger the better, and start bashing on it until the crank falls off.
Seriously, the tool is only $10-$15 and you'll be able to effortlessly remove square taper cranks for the rest of your life.
Seriously, the tool is only $10-$15 and you'll be able to effortlessly remove square taper cranks for the rest of your life.
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hahaha! Tried it already! [Only kidding, I'm not that dumb.] Sigh... it appears the best is to get specialized tools... which brings me to my next question, why are there so many specialized tools for bikes?!?!?!
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Its the nature of the beast. try working on a car, and see how many specialized tools you will need for that.
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Well most everyday improvements to cars can be done with simple tools, but I will admit that more indepth engine and drive train work has a lot of specialized tools.
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When you consider that one of the starter repair kits for about $100 gets you pretty much all the tools you need to take care of a bike, that is not bad. Sure a truing stand, headset press and few other things are pricey, but those tools can be improvised out of things one hand (like your brakes, a block of wood) so the situation doesn't seem all that bad, does it?
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You've got some tools right?
It can be done with a hacksaw. Cut off axle close to crank. This may take a while as it's very hard steel.
Just be sure to use extra long crank bolts as you reattach the cranks (with the axle ends still inside) to the BB axle. Really tighten those up.
Try not to pedal too aggressively.
It can be done with a hacksaw. Cut off axle close to crank. This may take a while as it's very hard steel.
Just be sure to use extra long crank bolts as you reattach the cranks (with the axle ends still inside) to the BB axle. Really tighten those up.
Try not to pedal too aggressively.
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Evey piece of machinery requires its own specific tools and bike are no exception. Big hammers and hacksaws will indeed do the job if you don't care what the remains look like.
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You can make the tool by finding a piece of all thread to match the outer diameter threads of the crank arms (or cut your own threads), cut the all thread to about an inch long, drilling the proper size hole with a drill press exactly in the middle of the chunk of all thread, tapping that hole for a bolt that has a diameter slightly smaller than distance across the square taper face. attache your new tool to the crank arm, and drive in the bolt. this is not very practical unless you have a drill press, tap set, appropriate saw to cut hardened steel, the right size all thread, and some time.
Or just buy the tool.
Or just buy the tool.
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Maybe you didn't know the tool is only $14. As everyone else here points out, not buying the tool costs you too much trouble. The only realistic way to remove your crank is with the proper tool.
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get the tool you'll be happy you did
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If the OP has access to that level of tooling, he can certainly afford a crank puller.
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Crank pullers are fun! Buy it!
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There are certainly ways of removing crank arms without the special tools, but the results are inconsistent at best. It's a false economy to forgo buying a $15 tool when failure to do so may require purchase of a $75 crank after a botched removal.
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this highlights my point nicely
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Also, this is taken from Sheldon:
"Call it a crank, or call it an arm, but please don't call it a 'crank arm'"
#21
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You don't need a cotter pin press to install or remove cotter pins. And presses don't always work. All you need is a punch, a hammer, some sort of support, and a glossary of sailor's terms, so you can curse adequately!
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I decided to buy the press, and it effortlessly did the job the professionals were unable to do (except the one they damaged that is).
No, you don't need the press, but it makes a difficult job much easier.
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Yes, it usually makes it easier.
I recently retired my only bike with cottered cranks. To get one of the cotter pins out, I had to drill a hole through the length of the cotter pin. Thereafter, I still had to bang like hell and recall all sorts of vocabulary. I emerged from the basement dirty and sweaty and made passionate love to my wife.
I recently retired my only bike with cottered cranks. To get one of the cotter pins out, I had to drill a hole through the length of the cotter pin. Thereafter, I still had to bang like hell and recall all sorts of vocabulary. I emerged from the basement dirty and sweaty and made passionate love to my wife.
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is what that sounds like.
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Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
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Were you the same guy who wants to remove his cranks for no other reason but because you "Feel like it?"
Once again..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Murphy's Law says you'll end up stripping the threads or something, and needing to spend money getting it repaired. Why? Because you felt like it.
Once again..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Murphy's Law says you'll end up stripping the threads or something, and needing to spend money getting it repaired. Why? Because you felt like it.