New bottom bracket problem

erifles

Hi,

I am replacing a Shimano BB ES51 (Octalink) with a new Shimano BB52 (Hollowtech).

The new cups bind after one turn at the most and won't screw on any further. I am not too bothered about damaging the cups as the BB is £15 but I don't want to force them and damage the frame.

The old BB screws in and out easily by hand. I assumed as they are standard English sizing they would be a straight swap. Has anyone had this problem before or any ideas how to get around it?

Thanks,

Ben

reaperactual

Have you cleaned and greased the threads?

The non-drive side on the English standard is a right hand threading, tightening clockwise. The drive side uses a left hand thread, tightening counterclockwise.

erifles

Yes, I've cleaned the threads.

The drive side tightens anti clockwise. The non drive tightens clockwise.

reaperactual

Double check for the correct orientation of the cups, shell threads and the cup threads for damage?

The Rookie

Like for like should be an easy swap as you summise, its hard to diagnose as you seem to have covered the common ones, the most common one is the wrong cup on the wrong side.
A good blast with a light oil (WF40, GT85 etc) and screwing the OLD one in and out a few times can help clean any debris from the thread, finish by wiping with paper towel.