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How to remove Hollowtech cranks?

iain_jiain_j Posts: 1,941
edited November 2009 in Workshop
My tourer's got Hollowtech cranks - the "original" I guess, not Hollowtech 2. Looking for the tool to get them off to add to my toolkit.

Done a bit of Googling but most solutions seem to suggest putting a coin or large-headed bolt in the recess for a "normal" crank puller to work against, but there's warnings that this can damage the BB. A search on Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles only brings up Hollowtech II stuff.

What do I need to get these cranks off? And while I'm at it, what would I need to get the BB in/out too (or is that best left to the LBS)?

Posts

  • MikeWWMikeWW Posts: 723
    On the non drive side crank there are 2 allen bolts holding the crank on. Just undo them and the crank can be pulled off -remove the chain set from the drive side by pulling through
    There is a bottom bracket "spanner" you can buy for BB removal and that comes with a small plastic tool that you use to re tighten the non drive crank when you replace. All very straightforward
    www.lichfieldccc.org.uk
  • Chunkers1980Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    By 'Original' do you mean that they do not have an external BB?
  • mmacavitymmacavity Posts: 781
    Octalink ?
  • David555David555 Posts: 21
    You need this

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=5728

    used along with a conventional crank puller
  • ride_wheneverride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    buy a crank puller that has the correct cap. Why are you removing them out of interest?
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • MikeWWMikeWW Posts: 723
    Sorry-misread OP :oops: :oops: :oops:
    www.lichfieldccc.org.uk
  • salsarider79salsarider79 Posts: 828
    Does your chainset look like this:
    LargeImage.aspx?ModelID=11830&FileName=11830.jpg
    If so then you can get a little button which, when you undo the crank bolt, will fit inside there.
    jedster wrote:
    Just off to contemplate my own mortality and inevitable descent into decrepedness.
    FCN 3 or 4 on road depending on clothing
    FCN 8 off road because I'm too old to go racing around.
  • John.TJohn.T Posts: 3,698
    Make sure the end cap is tight then just undo the crank bolt and keep turning it. It should then pull the crank off. They are designed to be self extracting. I have not needed my crank puller in years.
    My Fleet.
  • iain_jiain_j Posts: 1,941
    Hehe I asked here cos I got confused with how many different types and ways and means there were on Google.

    Mine doesn't have allen bolts on the crank. It says Hollowtech on the side of the crank arm. It's hollow right through the middle, so I don't see a bolt I can remove which will pull the crank off. I'll post a pic tonight if it helps :?
  • John.TJohn.T Posts: 3,698
    iain_j wrote:
    Hehe I asked here cos I got confused with how many different types and ways and means there were on Google.

    Mine doesn't have allen bolts on the crank. It says Hollowtech on the side of the crank arm. It's hollow right through the middle, so I don't see a bolt I can remove which will pull the crank off. I'll post a pic tonight if it helps :?
    I think it might. Please do. Make sure you show the BB end of the non drive side crank at least. The maker would also be useful.
    My Fleet.
  • iain_jiain_j Posts: 1,941
    Pictures as promised...

    4131072223_305cf07f9b.jpg

    4131835902_7c461dcc7b.jpg

    (that frame was spotless last weekend! :shock: )
  • iain_jiain_j Posts: 1,941
    ride_whenever wrote:
    buy a crank puller that has the correct cap. Why are you removing them out of interest?

    Not removing them at the moment but I like to have the tools and the know-how should the need arise.
  • John.TJohn.T Posts: 3,698
    They look like MTB octalink ones. Is the black biy rubber or a hard screw in cap. If the latter then just undo the allen bolt and keep on doing so. It will pull the crank off. If rubber or similar then you need a puller that will fit octalink or a standard one and a blank to fit in the end of the axle.
    My Fleet.
  • iain_jiain_j Posts: 1,941
    The black bit is plastic, whether it's screw-in or not I don't know. I tried prising it out but it was reluctant so I didn't try forcing it.
  • John.TJohn.T Posts: 3,698
    If plastic it will screw out. You need a puller. This one is dual purpose so will also fit square taper BBs.
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=38068
    My Fleet.
  • iain_jiain_j Posts: 1,941
    Thanks for your help John. I've got a puller for the square-taper cranks on the other bike so I'll have a look tonight and see if it's the same one.
  • mmacavitymmacavity Posts: 781
    iain_j wrote:
    Pictures as promised...

    4131072223_305cf07f9b.jpg

    4131835902_7c461dcc7b.jpg

    (that frame was spotless last weekend! :shock: )

    http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Remove ... e-66770221
  • iain_jiain_j Posts: 1,941
    John.T wrote:
    They look like MTB octalink ones. Is the black biy rubber or a hard screw in cap. If the latter then just undo the allen bolt and keep on doing so. It will pull the crank off. If rubber or similar then you need a puller that will fit octalink or a standard one and a blank to fit in the end of the axle.

    Had a look at it tonight. I undid the allen bolt and it came out with the black cap attached to the head of the bolt, the crank arm stayed where it was.

    4133255041_a625d36559_o.jpg

    The hole is the same diameter to about an inch deep, then it narrows by a millimetre or two (the darker ring in the photo) but it doesn't look like something a crank puller could work against (having used one on my other bike).
  • John.TJohn.T Posts: 3,698
    Is there a thread in the large diameter hole on the crank that will fit a puller. If there is then you just need something to push against in the end of the axle. An old bolt that just drops in would do fine. If no threads then it has got me beat from here.
    My Fleet.
  • iain_jiain_j Posts: 1,941
    d'oh :oops: sorry

    I went looking through my toolbox for a bolt to put in the axle, and buried in the junk came across this

    16392.jpg

    which resulted in this

    4134116830_0c7627d848.jpg

    Didn't realise the flat edge behind those "tabs" was part of the BB, not the crank arm.

    It's shimano's fault, putting the hollowtech name on an octalink :lol:
  • John.TJohn.T Posts: 3,698
    Well we got there. :D
    Hollowtech refers to the hollow crank technology.
    My Fleet.
  • iain_jiain_j Posts: 1,941
    Indeed - thanks for the assistance 8)

    OK next question.

    Why have I got an octalink crank puller when I've never done DIY on an octalink crank before :D
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