AKR

So, I was wanting to see if I could remove my square tapered bottom bracket without a tool and I had read in multiple places that you could try hitting it with a hammer. Well, I tried this, but then started getting scared when I looked at it a little closer at how it appeared to be put together. I didn't think it was a good idea, but enough people were saying to do it that I thought it was safe. It looks like I moved the whole bottom bracket a little. Is this screwing up the threads in my frame?

powers2b

Do not try this unless you know what you are doing, which obviously you don't or you would not have started with a hammer.
Wow, I would never hit my bike with a hammer.
I think/hope what they meant to say was tap the lockring with a screwdriver and a hammer to loosen it (still not the best idea).
You won't know if you ruined your frame until you get the bb out, but you ruined something for sure.
My advice, drop the tools, go to a mechanic.

Enjoy

Ex Pres 

The bigger hammer solution is rarely called for on bikes unless it's rusted together. That doesn't sound like your issue.

Buy the $10 tool !!!

"When the tool's not right the guy's not bright"

Bluetrane2028

Tool, $10.

Frame, $at least an order of magnitude more.

This is why I go to my LBS when I don't have the right tools.

I hope you didn't ruin your bike.

bkaapcke

Why are many bike owners so cheap? bk

cyclist2000

Cheap, by not going to LBS or not getting proper tool?

CliftonGK1

All problems look like nails when the only tool you have is a hammer.

Torchy McFlux

Theme song for this thread:

RaleighComp

Troll infestation? I'm noticing some really stupid threads starting with really low post-count members.

zzyzx_xyzzy

Bike to Work Month.

bkaapcke

Yeah, cheap. For thinking they can beat the system with a hammer. Beating the system is what cheap is all about. bk

BCRider

The trick involves a hammer AND a pin punch used to impact turn the parts. But I'll bet you didn't know that one side is right hand threaded and the other left hand threaded.

velo-orange

bhwaaahhahahahahaha!!!!!!

wrk101

Keep the hammers and drills away from the bike. Anyone who took a hammer to their bike probably damaged it. Suggest you post this question to the site where you learned it was a "good" idea.

mattamatta

I used a hammer to try to remove cranks without a crank puller. Actually it wasn't even a hammer - I think it was just a big wrench that I hammered with.


Needless to say all I did was put a few small dents in the inside of the spider and now I own a crank puller.

velo-orange

File this under:
i heard it on teh intarnets. So it *can* be done

cnnrmccloskey

I did that once, actualy managed to get it off too, all the arms of the spider were flailed outwards

Actualy come to think about it I did that on a bike at my shop today, soaked it in penetrating oil first and used a deadblow this time round, worked out alot better the steel crank probably withstood the force alot better anyways.

AKR

Or maybe the reason the questions are so stupid is because they are new to bike repair, hence the low post count.








I just don't see the point in buying a tool if I can do it another way, just like I don't see the point in taking it to someone else if I can do something myself. But then, sometimes you read some dumb stuff and go against your gut and screw yourself over. Maybe this is like the "delete your system32 folder" joke for people that are knew to computer repair? lullz.





No, I knew that part, but no one said anything about using a pin punch... I'm still confused as to how everything fits together, so I thought maybe the tapers would come out and the cylinder would stay in, and then I'd use a bottom bracket tool for the threaded part against the frame. I guess I'll just buy the tool and see how much damage is done. I did some more reading and read that you can possibly have someone with a threaded taper fix the threads, or I could use a threadless bottom bracket.




Well, where else do most people go for information these days? I've learned a lot of useful things on the internet and I try to sift through the dumb stuff, but sometimes the dumb stuff gets the best of me.

wroomwroomoops

Unless it's a clueless LBS (like many out there) and set a crown race using a flat screwdriver and a hammer, in the process scratching a newly powdercoated fork.

Yellowbeard

I've done this, too, except it was because the crank threads were buggered and I needed the spindle back. It works a lot better when you're hammering the spindle out of the crank instead of hammering the crank off the spindle. Still a pain in the ass, though.

velo-orange

"I just don't see the point in buying a tool if I can do it another way, just like I don't see the point in taking it to someone else if I can do something myself."

In general, I agree with that statement. But you wouldn't remove the system 32 folder with a hammer and screwdriver. It can be done. Just a little tap here and there and it goes away!
Last weekend I was preparing to dig up the grass in my front yard for a vegetable garden. I planned to do a basic 4x8' patch; it needs some amendments to break up the mostly clay soil around here. All I had in the house was some bike tools and a snow shovel. I quickly realized that a 15mm cone wrench would take forever to accomplish that task, and the snow shovel would crack or bend. So, I borrowed a rake and spade from the neighbor lady and will rent a rototiller from the hardware store this weekend. I mean I *could* use the cone wrench, and all my other wrenches in the tool box- I was determined enough, but mostly what would happen is my toolset would be broken and covered in clay soil.

The LBS is always going to be there for routine repairs just like this, whether it's user generated, worn out, defective, or simply in need of adjustment.
Based on your follow up posts, some more research is needed to know what you need to do. Initially you mentioned BB, then you later described removing the crank, and lastly you talked about removing the 'cylinder', thinking the 'tapers would stay in place'. Most of us bike nerds are probably wondering exactly what the heck you actually did with a clawhammer and rusty screwdriver (A youtube video would be a bit of low/high drama- we love that sort of stuff).
At least you put down the hammer and screwdriver and invested in a couple of tools specific to bikes.

Sorry if this comes off as arrogant or condescending. Its not the intent. I'm really a nice person in person, and there's the whole pitch and tenor of voice that goes a long way to convey certain things that in the printed form seem kinda stupid.

powers2b

Hopefully now you do see the point of buying the right tool for the job and/or consulting a pro.
If not, you can look forward to more expensive lessons because there are many things you can't do yourself. And by "yourself", I mean YOU specifically.


Enjoy

m_yates

You really have two choices: (1) Take it to someone else, or (2) Do it yourself. Either way, the person doing it needs to have tools for the job. If you are determined to do it yourself, I'd suggest picking up a bicycle repair book from your local library, reading the park tools website for detailed instructions, or watching some of the videos demonstrating repairs on the bicycle tutor website.

I'm sure you could do it another way. You could probably get the bottom bracket out with a crow bar, dremel tool, and a large, heavy rock...but it wouldn't be advisable.

Chris Chicago

I can sympathize with the original poster. sometimes frustration takes over and you just want to get something done. this is a bad time to reach for the hammer, but it happens.


that said, i think everyone would like to see pictures of the results

CliftonGK1

If you're talking about something expensive that you're only going to use once, then this makes sense. I don't suggest dropping $800 on a wet mitre tile saw to refinish a 5' backsplash in your kitchen. But a bottom bracket tool can be had for under $20 (heck, I got mine for less than $10) and you'll get your money's worth in saving yourself the shop labour charges over the lifetime of your bike.
Buy good tools and consider them an investment. Keeping things well maintained will save you money in the long run.