Stuck Crank

[Smokin Joe]

Attempts to remove my chainset came to a halt this afternoon as the bloody thing won't budge off the tapered axle. I've just remembered the B&D heat gun I've got up in the loft, anyone successfully used one of them to get an alloy crank loose?

 

[fossyant]

Old crankset, hacksawed mine off

 

[screenman]

Have you given the puller a good smack with a tapping stick whilst you have it under pressure.

You will get some warmth in with the gun, but you will be expanding the axle at the same time.

 

[classic33]

Cola!

 

[Sharky]

I'm sure you haven't made the mistake I made. I left one of the nut washers inside and the puller didn't have a chance. Removed the washer and it all came off.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Stamp on it, spray it with lube, stamp on it, hit it with a mallet.

 

[Citius]

You will get some warmth in with the gun, but you will be expanding the axle at the same time.

True - but the aluminium crank arm will expand at a faster rate than the steel axle..

 

[screenman]

True - but the aluminium crank arm will expand at a faster rate than the steel axle..

Is that if you get them both to the same temperature?

 

[Citius]

Is that if you get them both to the same temperature?

Not sure what you mean - as you apply heat to the crank, the crank will expand faster...

 

[screenman]

Not sure what you mean - as you apply heat to the crank, the crank will expand faster...

I play with metal everyday and use heat, it always take longer with the torch to get heat into ally over steel. I do not know about expansion rates though.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I'm sure you haven't made the mistake I made. I left one of the nut washers inside and the puller didn't have a chance. Removed the washer and it all came off.

No, that's the first thing I checked. I've made that mistake myself.

 

[Citius]

I play with metal everyday and use heat, it always take longer with the torch to get heat into ally over steel. I do not know about expansion rates though.

Your experience would certainly be unusual then, because aluminium will expand around five times faster than steel when heat is applied to it.

 

[Drago]

Old fashioned ball joint splitter.

 

[screenman]

Your experience would certainly be unusual then, because aluminium will expand around five times faster than steel when heat is applied to it.

I find it odd as well. Trying to get heat into an alloy wheel is a no go as it takes ages.

 

[MontyVeda]

cranks with loose crank bolts tend to come loose when ridden... ride round the block until the crank loosens itself and push the bike home.