Fixing a cup and axle BB
- Thread starter Wester
- Start date
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gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
Usually quite simple to adjust if you have some tools to adjust/undo it all with.
Lockring, if its 'notched' or castellated, if you havnt got a C spanner, you can use a hammer and drift to loosen it.
Adjusting inner ring, usually has a raised flat section across it, an adjustable spanner or similar will do.
While you're at it, its worth greasing the bearings anyway, they'll almost certainly be dry.
Bearings are usually contained within a simple cage that keeps them together.
If you're just going to adjust them, remove the crank (although you can probably do it with the crank in situ) undo the lockring a bit, then tighten the inner ring until it takes out all the play, but not too tight obviously. Once you're happy with the adjustment, nip up the lockring while holding the inner in placthen tighten properly.
Theres usually enough leeway with cheap cup n cone BBs not to have to worry about getting it dead right, so long as its not too tight.
Lockring, if its 'notched' or castellated, if you havnt got a C spanner, you can use a hammer and drift to loosen it.
Adjusting inner ring, usually has a raised flat section across it, an adjustable spanner or similar will do.
While you're at it, its worth greasing the bearings anyway, they'll almost certainly be dry.
Bearings are usually contained within a simple cage that keeps them together.
If you're just going to adjust them, remove the crank (although you can probably do it with the crank in situ) undo the lockring a bit, then tighten the inner ring until it takes out all the play, but not too tight obviously. Once you're happy with the adjustment, nip up the lockring while holding the inner in placthen tighten properly.
Theres usually enough leeway with cheap cup n cone BBs not to have to worry about getting it dead right, so long as its not too tight.
mrandmrspoves
Middle aged bald git.
- Location
- Narfuk
As above.....but generally if there is any amount of play it's worth replacing the bearings and re- greasing. A pair of bearings cost less than £2.
gwhite
Über Member
- Location
- Auchtermuchty Fife
Better still buy and fit loose ball bearings. You can buy these from "simply bearings".
andrew_s
Legendary Member
- Location
- Gloucester
They also commonly came with holes for a peg spanner (probably more often).
If you use a hammer & drift for the lockring, take care. It's not difficult to knock the edges off the notches in aluminium ones.
OP
OP
Wester
Guru
Sorry if this sounds a dumb question but i am only a novic mechanic
Do you ajust the the lockring and inner ring on both sides of the BB ?
Only one side of the BB is adjustable, which is the side with the lock ring. The other side is fixed (and will most likely be tightened up extremely tight).
guitarpete247
Just about surviving
- Location
- Leicestershire
All the BB's I've worked on have the fixed cup on the drive side (right) so adjustable is non-drive (left). You can get away with only removing the left crank arm to adjust the cups. It would be a good idea, though, to check and change the bearings and grease while you are fettling it. 1/4 inch balls and decent grease. Usually 11 balls per side. See Sheldon here. I prefer loose balls than those in cages. (Oooh Err Missus 
)
)
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
9 BBs per side if they're caged 
I prefer caged cos I got 10 thumbs.
I prefer caged cos I got 10 thumbs.
