Brompton Bottom Bracket Tool

[ChrisKH]

Righto, I have tied down a dry squeak to the bottom bracket on the Brompton. I removed one (a BB) 30 years ago but it's been a while............

The cranks came off very sweetly with the crank pulling tool. I'm fairly certain I don't have a BB tool, or even if I need one, but I suspect I do. The bottom bracket cups (or locking nuts) appear to be plastic or plastic coated and are marked

FAG Germany BSA.AA(or AB on the RHS) 1.37" x 24 Tpl.

The cup/locking nut has six round recesses on the circumference.

Vitual pint to anyone who can tell me what tool I need now and where I can source it. I have a cheap Aldi bike tool set (which had the crank pulling tool in it) and some Parker tools but nothing appears to fit.

Cheers.

 

[ChrisKH]

Looks like it's a FAG sealed unit and a specialist FAG tool, but if anyone can confirm that would be appreciated.

 

[velocidad]

yep that's right chrisKH. not sure where i bought my FAG tool from now, but if it comes to me i'll let ya know. seem to remember that not too many places did them. if you can't get hold of one, i could lend you mine.

cheers,

velocidad.

 

[ChrisKH]

Thanks for that velocidad. I have a feeling this one will fit as well:-

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Park-Park-Tools-BBT4-FAG-Bottom-Bracket-Tool-875.htm

 

[velocidad]

quick google, and SJS cycles and cyclestore.co.uk have them. still can't think where i got mine, it was via the internet though, LBS's just looked blank at me, as they do!

cheers, velocidad.

 

[velocidad]

Thanks for that velocidad. I have a feeling this one will fit as well:-

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Park-Park-Tools-BBT4-FAG-Bottom-Bracket-Tool-875.htm

yep, that looks like the fella

cheers, velocidad.

 

[mickle]

Also available from Weldtite and Cyclo tools dealers. SKS BBs are the same pattern as FAG BTW.

 

[ChrisKH]

Thanks guys.

 

[ChrisKH]

Finally got the parts and tool for this job and it went like clockwork. Feels like a different bike now with a very smooth cadence, so I suspect the BB FAG cartridge has probably been wearing out over time and I hadn't noticed it.

One thing I would say is that the left hand of the cartridge was a pig to get off and I had to be very careful with the tool. It was also quite difficult to get the new one on despite meticulous cleaning and anti-lock grease being applied. I was also surprised that there was some rust in the bottom bracket when all was removed prior to cleaning and there is a drain hole - is a certain amount of deterioration of the tube normal? It is an all weather bike.