Shimano Tiagra crank removal

[400bhp]

Hi

I want to give the crank on my bike a good clean, in particular when I am cleaning the chain and cassette.

It's a long time since I have removed one [a crank]. I've looked around but there are a multitude of different types so I want to be sure I buy the right tool.

Clearly an allen key is needed for removal of each chainring

It's a 2009 Shimano Tiagra triple BTW.

Thanks

 

[byegad]

My Tiagra triple, from 2008 is an Hollow Tech II design.

If yours is the same you need to remove the plastic insert on the left side, unbolt the two clamping bolts and wiggle the left crank off. After that the right side crank, chainrings and hollow axle simply pull out of the bearings.

Refitting is easy but they do warn about over tightening the clamp bolts. I use a torque wrench and at the middle value from their recommendations I hardly seem to exert any pressure at all to trigger the warning click.

They sell a special tool for removing and refitting the plastic insert on the left which is cheap enough and does the job well. You could manage without it.