botty bracky help

[fatblokish]

I have a 2002 Mercian audax frame, but I think, after 10 years of good service, I need a new BB.

Some q's...

1. English or Italian thread
2. What size
3. Can you recommend a medium to good replacement
4. Neither of the BB tools I have engage with two or more teeth on the outer cup, can you recommend a good tool that will mate successfully
5. Do I loosed anti or clockwise
6. Am I holding a cassette tool or is it for removing the splined thingmajig behind the outer cup.
7. If 6 is for cassettes, what shoudl I get to remove the splined thingy.
8. What else should I know before I tackle the job.

The reason for my suspicions on the BB is an intermittant clunk, and I have greased and replaced everything else (cleats, pedals, chainring bolts etc etc)

Ta

 

[fossyant]

Some more pics. Looks like its a square taper or Isis. The outer lock ring isnt typical of any cartridge bb, and was fitted to traditional bbs. Can you remove the cranks, or let us know what cranks are. There will be a model no on the reverse side of the cranks.

Was this your bike from new? I ask because of the bb lock ring is odd for the age, unless low end.

Once you remove it, there will be makings to tell you axel length. If Mercian, likely to be english threaded.

 

[fossyant]

Ps if old type bb you can tap the lock ring round anti clock with screwdriver and hammer to remove, but it looks odd as the inner edges look recessed like a cartridge bb. Can you remove the cranks?

 

[fatblokish]

Some more pics. Looks like its a square taper or Isis. The outer lock ring isnt typical of any cartridge bb, and was fitted to traditional bbs. Can you remove the cranks, or let us know what cranks are. There will be a model no on the reverse side of the cranks.

Was this your bike from new? I ask because of the bb lock ring is odd for the age, unless low end.

Once you remove it, there will be makings to tell you axel length. If Mercian, likely to be english threaded.

Yes, I built up the bike from new. The cranks are square hole, Ultegra, held in place by an allen-key bolt. ta....

 

[fatblokish]

Just going to pop down and remove the cranks and will upload a new piccy in five...

 

[fossyant]

How old the bb? I've been cartridge square taper for 15 years nearly, so I think you may have a lock ring on for no reason, or it's an old cup cone set up

 

[fatblokish]

Did I say square

 

[fatblokish]

Photo below

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

That, for an Ultegra chainset, is an Octalink v1 BB. Since the standard is becoming obsolete I think only Shimano continues to make them. In no circumstance use the VERY similar looking and somewhat more common Octalink v2 BB - it will ruin your chainset.

This has most if not all you need to tackle the job.

 

[fatblokish]

That, for an Ultegra chainset, is an Octalink v1 BB. Since the standard is becoming obsolete I think only Shimano continues to make them. In no circumstance use the VERY similar looking and somewhat more common Octalink v2 BB - it will ruin your chainset.

This has most if not all you need to tackle the job.

Is the lock ring and splined inner all one thing? If so, will the tool in my hand in the first photo do the trick ok? Do I loosen anti or clockwise?

Ta

 

[Smokin Joe]

Is the lock ring and splined inner all one thing? If so, will the tool in my hand in the first photo do the trick ok? Do I loosen anti or clockwise?

Ta

Mercian will almost certainly be an English BB, loosen clockwise.

 

[boydj]

Mercian will almost certainly be an English BB, loosen clockwise.

Drive side is LH thread. LHS is normal RH thread and loosens anti-clockwise. If you read the Park Tools link it has all the info you need.