Replace Square Taper BB with Hollowtech II

joestella28
joestella28 Posts: 165
edited May 2011 in Workshop
Would it be possible to replace a old style square taper bottom bracket with a new style Shimano Hollowtech II?

I knew I should have just bought a bike all made up. :lol:

Thanks,

Joe

Comments

  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,554
    yes, it's literally...

    unscrew old bb (may require considerable oomph)

    screw in new ht ii cups

    you need to get the correct threaded cups for your bike, english or italian (type of thread, italian bike can still have an english thread, etc.)

    you do realise that you'll need a new crankset as well?
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    As above, but you need two special tools as well.
    One to remove the old BB and another to tighten the HT2 cups.
    The old BB is likely to be very hard to remove as they rust / seize in place after a while.
    You may want to let your LBS do it for you :wink:
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • joestella28
    joestella28 Posts: 165
    That's what I wanted to hear. I've got the bike stripped down to just frame and crank set now. I would do it myself but as you have pointed out I need 3 different tools to do it. Hopefully my LBS can sort me out in the week.
    sungod wrote:
    yes, it's literally...
    you do realise that you'll need a new crankset as well?

    Yep hence the reason for changing it in the first place :D

    Cheers guys,

    Joe
  • chrishd883
    chrishd883 Posts: 159
    I've done the same with an old Cannondale frame.

    In addition to the above it is recommended that you have the frame faced for the new BB.
    The LBS should be able to do this.
  • joestella28
    joestella28 Posts: 165
    Yep, I also thought I might need that done.

    Cheers guys.
  • LaAndy
    LaAndy Posts: 30
    Bit of a blast from the past this thread, so apologies.


    If I understand this correctly i can replace my BB below:

    1250083549830-1er7mp50mbczr-399-75.jpg


    With one of these:

    Road%20Hollowtech%20Pro.jpg




    I didn't know that, opens lots of doors wrt chainset possibilities.

    Thanks
    Andy
  • andyrr
    andyrr Posts: 1,827
    yes you can, those BBs will both happily install to the same frame.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    you will also need to get the LBS to face the BB shell to ensure the faces are perpendicular to the axle axis and Parallel to each other or you will be changing bearings often.
    some info on facing and chasing a BB.

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12654663
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • joestella28
    joestella28 Posts: 165
    Yep, Had mine done in the end.
  • lucasf09
    lucasf09 Posts: 160
    I did this change and so happy I did. Had a sora square taper and now have a fsa with 105 bb. Difference in feel is fantastic.
    I did it myself as in oxford there is a workshop where you can use professional tools and have a bike mechanic help you, very good for this kind of thing as it costs a quid rather than forty or fifty for the tools.
    However I didn't face it as the mechanic said they looked fine, should I have faced them?
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    I believe with BB facing it's not as simple as just looking at it and saying "oh that looks fine", there is tools to measure and make sure it's fine it might not be noticeable to the eye.
  • k-dog
    k-dog Posts: 1,652
    They can be really tight to get out but I just discovered that my new car cheater wrench - which is about 2 feet long fits my bb tool.

    I just bought a new one too so that I can replace the hollowtech one on my other bike - and it fits my torque wrench which is nice.

    Got it on ebay for about £7 - it's the IceToolz one.
    I'm left handed, if that matters.

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