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How-To/Mechanics: Bottom Bracket Removal For Newbies?

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    I am new to bike building and bike mechanics but I am currently in the process of doing a fixed gear conversion and restoration on a 1986 Trek 560. I guess you can say I am somewhat learning this as I go. I have standard shop tools and I have, because of this project begun amassing a collection of bike tools. I have stripped the bike down to the frame. However, now I am stuck on the bottom brackets. Can someone please tell me what specific tool I need (maybe add a link, picture, or some sort of brand name and model number) as well as some direction on how exactly I would get this damn thing out? I have been watching web tutorials and websites but all seem to be different variations in the bb type. So, I have added pictures below of the actual unit. Thank you for your help!!!!





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    • CommentAuthorwowzah
    • CommentTimeFeb 8th 2009 edited
     
    You probably should just take it to a bike shop. Buying every single bottom bracket tool won't be worth while unless you are serious about bikes for the next 30-50 years.
    The new bottom bracket you install will probably require a different tool.

    That said,
    It will be very gratifying if you do it yourself. I have collected bottom bracket tools doing it myself. Financially it's probably a waste, but I enjoy it.

    A bike shop can at least tell you what tools you need. It's hard to tell from the picture. It looks like you need the basic green park tools pin spanner, a 32 mm wrench, and a lock ring wrench. The cost for all is more than the bike shop would charge for removal. You might already have the 2 wrenches, in that case just google park tools pin spanner, they cost under 10 bucks. I think you need the green one, but best to check.

    Maybe the bike shop would let you watch them do it, that way you can learn and make sure it's done right at the same time.
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    i am taking everything off so that i am able to work on the frame and restore it, so i am hoping i will not have to replace the bottom bracket. i just want to get it out of the way for body work. i figure it probably wouldn't be smart to merely tape it off. it would also be helpful to have these tools if i need to do anything in the near future.
    • CommentAuthorwowzah
    • CommentTimeFeb 8th 2009 edited
     
    you could tape it off if you wanted to, if all you are doing is rattle canning it

    this bottom bracket probably has loose ball bearings that you could regrease and repack to make it run smoother
    just buy the tool and start playing, if you get stuck just take it into the local bike shop
    • CommentAuthorOtto Rax
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2009
     
    ok, so the let's break this down a little bit. in the first picture you posted, you'll first need to remove the locking (the outer piece with the 6 grooves in it) A locking tool will do this, and if you're going to a fixed gear, a lcokring tool is nice to have. you can use it on your cog lockring as well. it looks like this http://www.rei.com/product/710554

    the next piece you need to remove is the cup (the part with 6 holes indented into it). it is the part that is threaded into the frame (the bottom bracket shell). For this you'll need a spanner. If you get an adjustable spanner, you can use this on your locking, too, but i don't recommend that!! the pins on the spanner that go into this holes on the will snap under the torque of taking off or putting on a lockring. Just pop the spanner into opposing holes and spin it out of the frame. http://www.rei.com/product/546090
    They also make an adjustable one, but its a piece of crap

    At this point, you'll have one side off, and you can take out your axle and bearings.

    Now flip it over so you are looking at the other side (in your second picture). For this cup, you'll need a wrench to go between the flat sides. Park makes double-sided wrenches for common size bottom bracket, so one tool can do this cup, and your headset. and just spin it out of teh frame. and voila, you've just removed your BB. putting it back on and getting it dialed in is another story. Come back for help in re-installing and adjusting it.
    http://www.rei.com/product/710553 (or whatever size your BB is
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    Thanks for the detailed post! I think a lot of new riders will benefit from reading this. Myself included.
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    You can remove the BB with enough swearing and improvising (hammer and screwdriver, really), if you want, then replace it with a modern kind. Then use the same kind of BB on all your bikes in the future.

    I've used my bottom bracket tool a bunch. But part of the reason is that, when I'm building a bike, I take out the old one, often damaging it in the process, and replace it with a modern variety.
    • CommentAuthorOtto Rax
    • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2009 edited
     
    booooooo cartridges are for suckers. it's way more satisfying to rebuild and tune your BB!

    cartridges aren't bad, but i still dont think most bottom brackets under $60 are as smooth as a well dialed cup'n'cone

    my opinion only, but for ease you're right
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    so then you wouldnt suggest having my lbs help me take it out and just completely replace the bb with a new style one? so i should just stick to this one and purchase the tools and rebuild it? honestly, im looking for the easiest and most price effective choice.
    • CommentAuthorwowzah
    • CommentTimeFeb 10th 2009 edited
     
    it seems like you are trying to build a beater fixed gear, if you can get that bottom bracket smooth with a little loving I would just keep that one

    if all you need is the pin spanner, i say buy it and try to do it yourself

    taking it to the lbs is always a plan B
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    just to let you guys know, the bottom bracket issue was much easier handled at my lbs for ten bucks. they had the proper tools to take it off and they measured the bottom bracket shell and fitted me up with a newer sealed bracket, which i actually have the tools for. in all, i spent 35 bucks for the new bottom bracket, which was as much if not less than the price of the tools. so i got the old one off, a new bottom bracket, again that i have tools for, and i got it all for the price of the tools to take the old one off. my lbs didnt even have these tools for sale as they said they never sell them. they told me they have them in their chest exclusively to remove old bbs and repair them or completely replace them with sealed bbs which is what they suggest.
    • CommentAuthorgreg
    • CommentTimeFeb 17th 2009
     
    Cool, have fun working with your new BB and learning a few things along the way

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