poor mans crank removal

swampi101

i know this has probably been posted before somewhere but cant find one through the last 20 pages...

got my new frame and now im trying to get my cranks off to remove the BB, but they wont come off. i know i need a tool or self extracting bolts to get them off properly but havent got any, and have no money left after buying the frame

so far WD40 and a mallet hasnt done much, is there any other way to get them off (without taking it to the LBS) ?

thanks

bails87

What cranks and BB.

If a square taper, I smacked one with a hammer out of frustration once, and it finally came off. Although the tool makes it a lot easier.

If external BB it should be self extracting.

swampi101

ah sorry forgot to mention that. they are fsa maximus cranks on a isis bb.

bails87

Hit it harder then

Depends how destructive you want the removal to be I guess.

Chunkers1980

If you don't care about the cranks or keeping the BB sweet, like said spray with stuff and hit with a hammer at various points around the chainset.

But come on dude - the tools about a fiver and will last forever if you use it once a year.

cougie

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=120

personally I'd fork out for the tool and not break the crank or frame or BB or my fingers....

.blitz

Take it to your lbs along with some biscuits and chocolate.

Catfish

Try warming the crank with either a hot air gun (the type used by decorators) or boiling water and then use a plastic mallet to hit the crank arm or use a removal tool. the crank will expand more/quicker than the b/b and should make it easier to remove. then use a bit of copper grease when you put it back togeather.

supersonic

5 quid for the tool.

That is the solution.

bluechair84

Just searched hot air guns on fleabay for you, they are £14.99 which is much better than an extracting tool cos... i dunno... you'll use it most days as a hair drier!
Bargain

joshtp

i paid £8 for a tool that will do EVERY type of crank on the market, you dont need dif ones for isis/octoling and square taper.... it can be operated by a 15mm spaner, or a 8mm allen key, its cheap, small, and will save much pain, hassle and grief. get one, you wont regret it...

bluechair84

don't listen to them! Get the blowdrier!!

saracen fan

I got my square taper truvativ X-flow cranks off without a tool.....used a hammer and a massive chisel.....it came off eventually but was hard work and I chipped a small bit of paint off my frame which is very annoying.
It can be done but next time I will be buying the tool, I would advise you do the same or you will prob scratch your nice new frame!

The Cookie Monster

of course, when you find the blowdrier isnt hot enough (id be incredibly suprised if the hot water was too), its time for the blowtorch... thankfully you didnt want the old paint anyway?

seriously, even a Halfords one will do the job, but they are disposable, as you are required to spit on it and burn it once the job is done