replacing a bottom bracket on a spinner
 

Hi,

I am replacing the bottom bracket on my spinner. The bottom bracket makes a clicking noise when you spin on it. I figured it was about as good of a time as any to replace it. I was able to pull off the crank arms without too much trouble but the bottom bracket is a little tougher to get out.

The spinner is about 10+ years old.

It is a square taper bottom bracket with no splines for removal. There is what looks like a small gasket so I was able to pry that off and I see loose ball bearing with grease. There is a round metal thing enclosing the ball bearing so that they don't fall out.

A couple of quick questions:

1) How do I remove this entire bottom bracket (housing, etc.)?

2) Is it fairly straightforward to replace this with a more updated square bracket enclosed type of bottom bracket?

You didn't include enough info (or a picture) of your spinner, so the only advice I have is there has to be some splines or someplace to put a wrench or spanner to remove your bottom bracket. Well, unless it's pressed in there.

Most spin bikes use standard bicycle cartridge bottom brackets. There should be splines on it for removal. You'll need a special tool to remove it.

Ok here are some pics. It's kind of hard to see in the picture, but I don't see any splines. I have a spline tool.

http://www.danpaik.com/photos/i-QD3s...-QD3sKmN-M.jpg

http://www.danpaik.com/photos/i-MWcm...-MWcmrfC-M.jpg

That looks like a press-fit square taper bb. You removed the seals on the bearing cartridges.

yup, i think that's right (i removed the seals for the bearings). Any way to remove this or should I call a pro? The problem is that the spinner is really heavy so it's a big pain to get out of the house (it's on the second floor), into the car, etc.

Try doing a search on the forums for more info. I know this comes up occasionally, including a thread several months back regarding a European utility bike. I don't recall how that one was resolved; there was some concern about locating replacement cartridges. Do you think you could do an adequate clean & re-lube with the cartridges in place? Otherwise, you'll probably need to tap the cartridges out with the spindle and then deal with how to reinstall. Then again, the clicking you observed may be due to either the interface of the crank on the spindle or the interface of the cartridge in the shell.

I can probably create a video but if I take my hands and pull up and down on the spindles, it makes the clicking sound. I will try to do some more searches. I tried some searches last night as well as on youtube but didn't find anything at that time.

Did you consider contacting Star Trac's customer service people?

http://www.startracusa.com/t-customer-service.aspx

It looks like a press-fit setup. Maybe they could tell you or there might be a manual you can download on their site.

It looks like standard industrial bearings (not a cartridge bottom bracket!) press fitted into the frame. You remove those bearings by protecting the end of the axle with a piece of wood and then whacking the axle axially with a big hammer. Bearings should come out to either side. Replacements are hammered in (first one) with a protective piece of wood and (the second one) with a socket over the axle.
Should be a fun job - only semi brutal force and no special tools needed!