Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket

Jun 25, 17 6:09

Post #1 of 19 (2046 views)

I have an older model QR Seduza with a mega exo bottom bracket. I have the proper tool for installing/removing the bottom bracket. The bottom bracket is stuck. I guess that years of use with perspiration, road gunk, and non existent care have sealed it in place. I used a thin blade to scrap away the dried 'stuff' that was on it, sprayed silicone lube on several times without success. I am turning it the proper direction, I have tried to remove both the right side and the left side. I have used a mallet lightly on the tool but it will not budge.

I would like to do this myself rather than take it to the shop. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

.

Once, I was fast. But I got over it.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [hblake] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 6:21

Post #2 of 19 (2036 views)

Mallet not lightly combined with brutal profanity.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [trail] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 6:30

Post #3 of 19 (2031 views)

Perhaps add some alcohol? For me, not the bb.

.

Once, I was fast. But I got over it.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [hblake] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 9:04

Post #4 of 19 (1990 views)

Hit the tool very hard with a hammer.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [hblake] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 9:11

Post #5 of 19 (1985 views)

Use a heat gun
Then Leverage, make a cheater bar

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [Clutch Cargo] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 9:27

Post #6 of 19 (1974 views)

Clutch Cargo:

All I have is a hand held hair drier; would that be enough do you think?

Jim @ Beyond:

I tried that also. I hit the bb tool with a hammer hard enough that I thought that I might damage the bike! Still stuck.

.

Once, I was fast. But I got over it.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [hblake] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 9:28

Post #7 of 19 (1974 views)

hblake wrote:

I have an older model QR Seduza with a mega exo bottom bracket. I have the proper tool for installing/removing the bottom bracket. The bottom bracket is stuck. I guess that years of use with perspiration, road gunk, and non existent care have sealed it in place. I used a thin blade to scrap away the dried 'stuff' that was on it, sprayed silicone lube on several times without success. I am turning it the proper direction, I have tried to remove both the right side and the left side. I have used a mallet lightly on the tool but it will not budge.

I would like to do this myself rather than take it to the shop. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

.

Remove the wheels, then put the bb tool into the bottom bracket, holding it in with a length of threaded rod so you can tighten it up enough so the splines wont slip. It will stop you pulling at an angle too.

Remove wheels, then mount removal tool in a benchvice.

Turn frame. The extra leverage should get it shifting. Then slacken the threaded rod off to enable the cup to unscrew.
Once out, clean threads and copperslip before inserting new bb.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [hblake] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 9:54

Post #8 of 19 (1958 views)

You won't break the frame. Hit it harder.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [hblake] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 9:55

Post #9 of 19 (1958 views)

Soak it in PB Blaster for a couple days, that stuff works very well for breaking corrosion.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [MacCTD] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 10:14

Post #10 of 19 (1941 views)

I have applied Liquid Wrench:

https://www.liquidwrench.com/product/silicone-spray/

several times and allowed it to sit. Is PB Blaster better?

I can get PB Blaster at Lowes this afternoon which is only 3km from here.

.

Once, I was fast. But I got over it.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [hblake] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 10:30

Post #11 of 19 (1930 views)

hblake wrote:

I have applied Liquid Wrench:

https://www.liquidwrench.com/product/silicone-spray/

several times and allowed it to sit. Is PB Blaster better?

I can get PB Blaster at Lowes this afternoon which is only 3km from here.

.

Your lever is not long enough. I bought a 3 ft piece of 1 1/2" steel tube from the hardware store for this. I wrapped one end to create a handle & the end of the BB tool goes in the other end.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [hblake] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 13:43

Post #12 of 19 (1879 views)

hblake wrote:

I am turning it the proper direction,

First things first. Just to double check that part......Doing this correctly means you're trying to turn the drive side clockwise and the non-drive side counterclockwise. This is the opposite of how you would loosen pedals on those respective sides. I've seen several owners who were under the impression the the BB and pedals loosened by turning in the same direction.

As others have said you need more leverage. A 2 foot lever arm ought to be enough to do the trick. I keep a piece of pipe around that slips over the handle of my ratchet wrench that always works the trick.

Hugh

Genetics load the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [sciguy] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 15:25

Post #13 of 19 (1859 views)

I looked at youtube first to see how it is done. I was able to remove it but I had to resort to a pipe wrench. I am replacing the entire bb so salvaging it was not a concern.

Once, I was fast. But I got over it.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [hblake] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 19:53

Post #14 of 19 (1796 views)

Glad to hear you got it off.

I've dealt with some tough BB's over the years. I have a 30" breaker bar and I have yet to come across a BB or bolt that can withstand it. ...Using a hammer on a standard wrench is a joke in comparison.

Well worth the $30: https://www.princessauto.com/...aker-bar/A-p8609000e

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [beston] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 19:56

Post #15 of 19 (1793 views)

beston wrote:

Glad to hear you got it off.

I've dealt with some tough BB's over the years. I have a 30" breaker bar and I have yet to come across a BB or bolt that can withstand it. ...Using a hammer on a standard wrench is a joke in comparison.

Well worth the $30: https://www.princessauto.com/...aker-bar/A-p8609000e

Once you use this or increase your leverage another way, you'll wonder why you ever tried to remove a bb any other way.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [beston] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 20:37

Post #16 of 19 (1779 views)

I have taken apart a thousand bikes and have never had a problem with a standard bottom bracket tool and a hammer.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [jimatbeyond] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 21:12

Post #17 of 19 (1769 views)

jimatbeyond wrote:

I have taken apart a thousand bikes and have never had a problem with a standard bottom bracket tool and a hammer.

Breaker bar is the more elegant tool, though. If you're a "use the proper tool" guy.

Nothing wrong with being an "eff it, I'm gettin' out the hammer" guy, though.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [hblake] [ In reply to ]

Jun 25, 17 22:54

Post #18 of 19 (1754 views)

Glad to hear you got it out. I typically use the BB tool and a rubber mallet. One LBS around here uses a pneumatic impact wrench for the stubborn BB's. They helped me out of this exact situation.

Re: Suggestions for removing a stuck bottom bracket [jimatbeyond] [ In reply to ]

Jun 26, 17 7:10

Post #19 of 19 (1678 views)

I'm sure you have. That doesn't mean it's the best, or easiest approach.

Our Partners

transition-DOT-area-AT-slowtwitch-DOT-com

Advertise with us

©1999-2024 Slowtwitch, Inc., and Slowtwitch.com
Reproduction of material from any Slowtwitch.com page
without written permission is strictly prohibited.