Is this BB shell beyond saving?
10-06-15 | 08:42 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
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From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: 1974 Raleigh International, 1992 Bridgestone MB-4, 1994 Trek 520, 2024 Canyon CF7
Is this BB shell beyond saving?
Hey guys. I'm cleaning up an old bike and have reached an impasse with the bottom bracket. I got the non-drive side out. The cup looks good and the spindle is fine. I haven't been able to get the drive side cup out quite yet and am just observing the amount of corrosion inside. Have I just gotten myself in too deep? Thanks! 
10-06-15 | 09:49 PM
#3
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
If for a dime and in for a dollar. At this point you might as well go all the way. I have to admit I never can tell from a photo the real situation, only possibilities and they don't count till the tap hits the shell. Andy.
10-06-15 | 10:17 PM
#4
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
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From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
the lack of vent holes into the tubes may mean big problems with the tubes. However, as far as what we can see, BB's accumulate gunk if they aren't open at the bottom. It really doesn't look that bad.
10-07-15 | 08:26 AM
#5
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From: Santa Rosa, California
Bikes: Waterford 953 RS-22, several Paramounts
I'd try taking a small stiff brass wire brush to the area that looks most corroded. The corrosion could be limited to a thin surface layer.
10-29-15 | 04:17 AM
#7
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From: Clev Oh
Bikes: Specialized, Schwinn
11-23-15 | 12:38 AM
#8
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OP; Yours is much better shape than most I have been pulled in to save. Do the cleanup as recommended and press on. I do share concern about the lack of vent holes... so suggest look for them in the head-tube, but they should be there at both ends.
11-23-15 | 01:05 AM
#9
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Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Eugene, Oregon, USA
To get the "fixed" BB cup out (well, both sides, actually),
I put the BB spindle and bearings back in. You really only need the one cup.
Find the largest Crescent Wrench you have (or whatever wrench you use). Put it on the cup, then bolt it down tight with your crank nut/bolt and a few spacers.
Or, perhaps you could do the same thing with a clamp and blocks, but the axle spindle works well.
The BB on my Mercier didn't want to budge, so I pushed it with my foot... which I discovered was tightening it
French? But, it did break it loose, and it came out easily enough after that.
As far as that rust. The BB shell is pretty thick, so it is probably fine. And the threads were mostly protected by your old bottom bracket. That does look like a cheap bike. Don't over-spend.
I put the BB spindle and bearings back in. You really only need the one cup.
Find the largest Crescent Wrench you have (or whatever wrench you use). Put it on the cup, then bolt it down tight with your crank nut/bolt and a few spacers.
Or, perhaps you could do the same thing with a clamp and blocks, but the axle spindle works well.
The BB on my Mercier didn't want to budge, so I pushed it with my foot... which I discovered was tightening it
French? But, it did break it loose, and it came out easily enough after that.As far as that rust. The BB shell is pretty thick, so it is probably fine. And the threads were mostly protected by your old bottom bracket. That does look like a cheap bike. Don't over-spend.
