hello!

I'm trying to replace my bottom bracket b/c the bike shop told me I needed a new one (it wiggles) and my bike is getting hard to ride (there is a resistance to each cycle).

I was able to remove the dust cap after destroying it. The bolts also came off, but I can't get the crank puller to fit onto the crank. I am using a park ccp-22C. I don't want to take it to the shop because the last time I went, they charged me $10 to remove my cassette off the wheel. But i can't figure out how to get it off.

Once I get it off, I need to also buy a bottom bracket (wanted to wait to see if I could figure out what kind I needed based on my old). Any suggestions? Do you suggest buying a new crankset and a bottom bracket? If so can i get a different version (ISIS) because it is more common and cheap?

Thank so much !!!

1. first you need to remove the cranks and determine the reason the puller won't thread in.
a. clean the dust cap holes real well.
b. do the same to the puller threads.
c. apply a grease or light oil to both the puller and crank holes.
d. try again to thread in the puller. go slow and even just using your hand at this point -- no wrench.

did it thread in? if so, go all the way with your wrench. try the other crank too. if it won't thread, don't force it. you may need to correct the threading at this point before moving onto bottom bracket issues.

but about your bb ...

just because a shop said you need a new one doesn't mean as much. maybe all that's needed is an overhaul and readjusting the adjustable cup. tackle all this after removing the cranks.

Do what eschlwc said. Just make sure you get the puller threaded all the way in before you try to pull the arms, or you'll strip the threads.

btw ... on my first ever rebuild i ran into this same problem with the same awful puller with the built-in wrench.

so i bought an $8 'wrench force' puller that uses an adjustable wrench found in any tool box. it worked like a breeze, and i've used it on many a bike.

this is no slam against park tools -- i have a bunch of great bike tools from them. but that all-in-one puller was a joke.

and another thing ..!

if you do get the puller to thread in by hand, also apply a grease to the threads of the puller before you use the wrench. i'm talking about the inner working threads of the puller itself (in addition to those coming in contact with the cranks's dust cap threads).

this isn't as big of a deal as it is with a chain tool, but it does help.

recently, my cheap chain tool wasn't working. i was cursing at it. i thought it had just died. i was about to go down and spend $30 on a new park tool, but then i just cleaned and added some grease to the tool's threads. it then started working like new again.

Thanks !

I'll try that tonight. I think cleaning out the dust cap holes and grease might help. If not the wrench force might be a good way to go.

Also, make certain the bolt washers have been removed from the crank arms before attempting to use the puller.

You may already be aware of this, but sometimes when the extractor wells are dirty the washer can get trapped in there.