Bottom bracket problem
davecooper
Posts: 290
I have completely stripped my Specialized bike down to the bare frame except for the bottom bracket. I was undecided whether to remove this but decided I would as I could see what I thought was rust through the cable guide screw hole underneath. I got the non chain side off after some serious effort but the chain side is stuck fast. However, I am now wondering whether what I saw is rust. It looks like it may be some form of locking compound which is now clearly visible down the sides of the bearing assembly. A similar substance was visible on the end of the non chain side retainer when it was removed. I have fitted Shimano bottom brackets in the past and they have come with a grey locking compound on them. I am not sure if this is similar. I have dug some out and I am still not sure what it is. Any advice would be appreciated.
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Comments
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Remember the thread is left hand on the drive side.
You might need brute force. Can you clamp the cup in a vice and use the frame as leverage?
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Thanks guys. Happy about the thread direction. One of the main problems is that the extraction tool does not sit very deep in the retaining ring on the chain side. This makes it a lot more difficult to get the tool located square in the ring. Does anyone know what thread is used in square taper spindles, it's not a normal metric. If I could bolt the extractor onto the spindle through the socket drive hole, I could hold the extractor in place. I could then use a big open ended spanner on the flats.0
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Tried one last time to get the bottom bracket out but to no avail. Took the frame to LBS this morning and they have confirmed that the BB is goosed. They quoted £20 to fit a new one so told them to go ahead as they are better equiped than me to remove difficult BB's. I left it with them for a while. When I went back they told me the BB was siezed in the frame and they could not shift it. They are going to soak it in penetrant for a day or two and then try again. However, they said it may need caustic soda to get it out. Is this going to damage the paint?0
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All that hassle because some lazy barstool couldn't be bothered applying a bit of grease during assembly. Takes seconds and can be done with a brush, keeping the hands clean.
Can't help with the caustic soda sorry. I had a very seized up bottom bracket once. I got it out by locking the removal tool to the BB spindle with a bolt and hitting a very large adjustable spanner with a lump hammer. This shock tactic worked well but it came out with a bit of aluminium swarf. The problem was caused not by a lack of greasing and therefore corrosion, but by a slightly damaged thread on the bottom bracket itself. The BB had gone in and cut a bit of its own thread a bit like a tap. Of course, the twonk who fitted it must have felt the extra resistance but just kept on winding it in. Fortunately enough for me there was enough thread left to fit the new BB.
I wouldn't hold too much hope on the penetrating fluid. In my experience it's either brute force, heat or a combination of the 2 that frees seized parts.0 -
Yeh! I'm hoping that the brute force method works. My problem was not being able to hold the frame steady enough while I applied any force. My removal tool is also quite long and it was difficult to keep square in the BB. The tool the LBS had was short with short splines so they can apply the force closer to the BB They were also going to bolt it to the BB to hold it in place. Heres hoping....0
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I had a short Shiman tool that I could bolt onto the axle on atubborn BBs, alas one BB was too stubborn from me and my 12" jussy and I broke too many splines to keep the tool
Now only have a Lifu tool that has 1/2" drive square plus spanner flats but too long to hold securely on the axle. I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.0 -
You wanna watch they don't strip the thread from inside the pedal when they try to get it off... That's no end of trouble when that happens...0
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I know it seems a bit premature, having not heard from the LBS yet but I have been considering the worst scenario (as you do), a trashed paint job at best and a trashed frame at worst. Knowing that a half decent Alu frame without forks can be had at pretty good prices now (maybe even cheaper than a good re-enamel) this may be something I have to cosider, although a pink frame with my black components would look good. Hmmmm, Google - Bikes - Re-enamel.....0
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If the BB has a hollow axle you can clamp the extraction tool in place using a long (i.e. rear) QR skewer. Then you may be able to apply a bit more force. It's worked for me on a couple of occasions.I'm only concerned with looking concerned0
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God news, they got it off in the end after some serious effort. Asked them not to fit as I want to drill a drain hole. Some paint damage but only around BB area so touch up won't really show. Good idea about the hollow axle and QR skewer though.
Thanks for all the advice.0 -
Good stuff Dave and looks like you've found yourself a decent LBS. Glad you got your bike sorted.0
