biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
Oh no cutting cranks off doesn't sound like a fun job
1990's Orbit Italia
- Thread starter Illaveago
- Start date
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OP
OP
Illaveago
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham,Wiltshire.
I will try old worn out one first to see if it is possible to cut through them .
OP
OP
Illaveago
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham,Wiltshire.
I eventually gave in after trying various methods to remove the cranks. I tried using a ball joint separating tool wedge between the crank and the frame but all that succeeded in doing was to remove the BB locking ring and damage the crank . There wasn't much of a gap between the frame and crank to get the tool in sufficiently to obtain the best effect. In the end I decided that I would cut through a crank. They were chrome plated and were corroded badly. One was worse than the other but with sharp bits of chrome plating lifting a bit of a hazard. I noticed that the drive side BB cup looked to be cross threaded. It was sitting at an angle to the frame. I will have to check the threads.
Once the crank and BB axle were removed the reason for the creaking and binding fell out. A pair of badly misshapen cages and bearings fell out.
Once the crank and BB axle were removed the reason for the creaking and binding fell out. A pair of badly misshapen cages and bearings fell out.
OP
OP
Illaveago
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham,Wiltshire.
I set about trying to fit a new sealed unit this morning. I cleaned out the threads on the drive side of the frame . They look a bit suspect but thought that I might get over that by fitting the non drive cup in first . The non drive side cup had to be removed first. It was tight! Dot punch and hammer. It took a while just moving a few degrees at a time but I eventually got it out. I cleaned out the threads and ran an old cup in. It went in fine. I fitted the new sealed unit cup and then went to fit the new unit. It wouldn't go through! I tried it several times as I couldn't understand what was preventing it ! It was the underneath cable guide! It was sticking up! I put the bike back in the garage in disgust! 
Gillstay
Veteran
I set about trying to fit a new sealed unit this morning. I cleaned out the threads on the drive side of the frame . They look a bit suspect but thought that I might get over that by fitting the non drive cup in first . The non drive side cup had to be removed first. It was tight! Dot punch and hammer. It took a while just moving a few degrees at a time but I eventually got it out. I cleaned out the threads and ran an old cup in. It went in fine. I fitted the new sealed unit cup and then went to fit the new unit. It wouldn't go through! I tried it several times as I couldn't understand what was preventing it ! It was the underneath cable guide! It was sticking up! I put the bike back in the garage in disgust!
Yep, had that a few times and often takes me a while to cotton on. Don't know why though !
OP
OP
Illaveago
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham,Wiltshire.
More fun this morning.
I fitted the non drive side cup in first as I intended. I tried an old drive side cup to check the threads and it went in fine. I then tried the new sealed unit but found that it wouldn't line up . I tried several times without success and then finally found that the obstruction was still causing a problem. A bit more filing and it went in without a problem. I fitted the cranks and chain and then discovered that the BB was too long. With the front derailleur set for the smaller chainring it was on the larger one. I went to Halfords and picked up 2 shorter ones for £8. They had been reduced in a sale . I swapped the BB 's over , fitted the cranks , pedals and chain and it now just needs testing.
I fitted the non drive side cup in first as I intended. I tried an old drive side cup to check the threads and it went in fine. I then tried the new sealed unit but found that it wouldn't line up . I tried several times without success and then finally found that the obstruction was still causing a problem. A bit more filing and it went in without a problem. I fitted the cranks and chain and then discovered that the BB was too long. With the front derailleur set for the smaller chainring it was on the larger one. I went to Halfords and picked up 2 shorter ones for £8. They had been reduced in a sale . I swapped the BB 's over , fitted the cranks , pedals and chain and it now just needs testing.
OP
OP
Illaveago
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham,Wiltshire.
Here is my bike with the new crank fitted this afternoon. The replacement crank looks similar to the original except that it's not chromed.
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
Looks ready for testing to me
OP
OP
Illaveago
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham,Wiltshire.
We had some fine weather today so I was able to take my bike out for a road test. I did my usual ride over to Lacock down the lanes. The road test went well without a hitch. I did 11 miles.
The cranks seemed to spin a lot easier since fitting the new BB. I didn't notice that before as I had nothing to compare it with.
rogerzilla
Legendary Member
OP
OP
Illaveago
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham,Wiltshire.
My brother thinks that the crank might have been fitted warm onto a very cold BB axle and has shrunk on, the temperature difference making it a very tight fit .
rogerzilla
Legendary Member
I think it's usually just corrosion, like an alu seatpost in a steel frame. The white aluminium hydroxide, or whatever it is, expands and makes the fit too tight for the puller threads to survive.
