splined bottom bracket extraction

[SystemParanoia]

I got the special tool today and decided to have a crack at getting the bottom bracket off my road bike.

After several hours of trying on and off with lots of penetrant spraying in between, it has defeated my every attempt.

Adjustable wrench onto tool.. fail

Rachet and Socket onto tool.. size 32.. fail.

Air gun.. fail

Breaker bar.. fail


Anyone have any tips on getting this stupid thing off before i throw it under a pillar drill grrr

[BadgerBenji]

Good spray of penetrating fluid, proper penetrating fluid not wd40. Install tool, load it up nice and tight, then leave overnight.

[Accelebrate]

The toughest one I've encountered was conquered by putting the tool in a bench vice and using the frame as a lever, although given what you've already tried are you sure you're turning the right way? I think it's usually the opposite of the directon you pedal to undo, and therefore different on each side.

[Beyond Rational]

Bolt the removal tool into the bottom bracket, using washers if necessary, so that it can't go anywhere or strip anything. Then as the last post says, vice and turning in the correct direction.

Some say to soak it in Coca Cola, I've never found out if that works myself.

[SystemParanoia]

Thanks for the tips guys, ill take another stab at it today once i get some washers from halfords!

Im coke / white vinegar are ok as de-rusting agents... slow but they get there in the end.

But as i dont have any oxalic acid laying around ill give it a go

[CoolC]

Remember drive side is reverse thread.

As said above, bolt the tool to the axle and put it in a vice using the frame as leverage.

[TheInternet]

Did mine yesterday, similarly impossible with long bars etc., but did come free using a cheap impact wrench. It was also treated to a week of PlusGas beforehand.

[SystemParanoia]

broke my breaker bar lol... still no movement on the bracket.

I dont understand why its so difficult to get out.. ive owned the bike from new, and its lived indoors whilst being regularly greased and looked after etc.

[Beyond Rational]

The upside-down-ness of that photo has caused me massive brain ache to work out the correct rotation, but I hope that you're not pulling downwards on that bar...

Some manufactures fit BBs with paint etc. left in the BB shell, they can be a nightmare to undo.

[Vipers]

Last time I changed the bottom brackets, had to leave the shell in, just put the new bottom bracket in and left it.

[BliarOut]

Have you tried using a bit more leverage?

[CoolC]

As said above, if you're pulling down on that you're tightening it not removing it.

[SystemParanoia]

no, i was standing on the handlebars holding onto the lower parts of the frame with the breaker bar against my shoulder.pushing with my leg and pulling down with my arms.

in the pic i had help holding the bike steady whilst i pushed upwards holding the sky up

it was when i re-adjusted and the 2 of us pushed down on the farm jack that the breaker bar let go

BliarOut said:

Have you tried using a bit more leverage?

If you've got any 20' scaff bars laying around.. might be handy

[Beyond Rational]

This is probably the point at which the bike shop workshop prices start to look reasonable VFM

[SystemParanoia]

lol you may have a point

luckily it was a halfords advanced bar.. so i got it replaced under their lifetime warranty thing earlier.

i may have to give up with this one though

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Try tightening it to break the seal. Then it should come off. In theory.

I can offer other advice if this doesn't work....

[uncinqsix]

Hmm. Is it worth removing and refitting the bottom bracket on a semi regular basis to avoid this happening down the track? The BB on my bike is a fairly low end one, so I expect it may need replacing sometime in future. Don't want to get stuck like the op when it comes time to do the job!

[Accelebrate]

uncinqsix said:

Hmm. Is it worth removing and refitting the bottom bracket on a semi regular basis to avoid this happening down the track? The BB on my bike is a fairly low end one, so I expect it may need replacing sometime in future. Don't want to get stuck like the op when it comes time to do the job!

Maybe remove it once and re-install with something like lithium grease on the threads, same with your pedals. I've never had a problem getting a greased BB out.

[CoolC]

SystemParanoia said:

no, i was standing on the handlebars holding onto the lower parts of the frame with the breaker bar against my shoulder.pushing with my leg and pulling down with my arms.

in the pic i had help holding the bike steady whilst i pushed upwards holding the sky up

Ouch! that really is in fast.

I bet you invented a few new swear words there

[walm]

I didn't have a scaffolding bar handy but I did have to use the pole that holds up our washing line.
However, I don't think it needed much more leverage than you have there!