Crankset bearings

[meddyliol]

I want to take the crank bearing out to check for wear etc. As it's a crap bike I do not want to spend much. The bottom crank looks as if it is like bikes I used to have in the 50's needing a 'C' spanner? to get it off. I used to have all of these tools but time has made them disappear. Anyway, I have looked everywhere but cannot see a spanner anything like the one I used to have.

Any ideas would be appreciated

Thanks

Brian

 

[MichaelW2]

Photo would be appreciated

 

[meddyliol]

Will do a photo if and when it stops raining. I just found something that might do the job.

 

[I like Skol]

If it is a crap bike and is working OK then leave it alone?

 

[meddyliol]

If it is a crap bike and is working OK then leave it alone?

You are probably right but it is a re-learning curve for me and I will be overhauling my son's bike shortly. (His isn't a crap bike).

 

[mjr]

Will do a photo if and when it stops raining. I just found something that might do the job.

That looks similar to the PedalPro spanner I use. If it's been done up for a while and not touched, you may need to use a hammer and punch (or solid-handled screwdriver) to loosen the lock ring at first, as well as some plusgas or similar dismantling spray. Careful not to break anything!

 

[Yellow Saddle]

C-spanners are usually required in conjunction with pin spanners.
An easy way to check for bearing health is to remove the chain. Spin the crank and hold your ear against the top tube. A good bearing says: "sjuuuuut, leave me along." A bad bearing says "rrrrrrrreplace me".

This goes for all BB types and there is absolutely no need to do anything if the sound is smooth and kinda nice. Sometimes newbies have to test two or three bikes this way to calibrate a baseline.

 

[Bikeman27]

I want to take the crank bearing out to check for wear etc. As it's a crap bike I do not want to spend much. The bottom crank looks as if it is like bikes I used to have in the 50's needing a 'C' spanner? to get it off. I used to have all of these tools but time has made them disappear. Anyway, I have looked everywhere but cannot see a spanner anything like the one I used to have.

Any ideas would be appreciated

Thanks


I D go for the C spanner option, you can get an adjustable one on ebay for less than a fiver!

Brian

 

[meddyliol]

That looks similar to the PedalPro spanner I use. If it's been done up for a while and not touched, you may need to use a hammer and punch (or solid-handled screwdriver) to loosen the lock ring at first, as well as some plusgas or similar dismantling spray. Careful not to break anything!

Plusgas? can you still get that stuff? I used to use it when I was a Fabrication Plater in Lower Gornal in the West Midlands. Brilliant stuff, better that WD40.

 

[mjr]

Plusgas? can you still get that stuff? I used to use it when I was a Fabrication Plater in Lower Gornal in the West Midlands. Brilliant stuff, better that WD40.

Yes http://www.plusgas.co.uk/ but some of the chains have their own clones - results vary.

 

[meddyliol]

Thanks, never thought of actually looking for the stuff. Because I haven't heard of it for yonks I assumed it didn't exist any more. Ebay and Amazon sell it. Your comments about chains and clones went right over my head.