Bottom bracket misery

Ryder

Trying to change the cartridge on a kona pw. Have got the nondrive side cup off but cant loosen the drive side. The tool keeps slipping out of the grooves. Am turning clockwise to loosen. Any ideas?

Gavin

Yeah, this can be incredibly frustrating

I find it easiest to put the bike laying down on its side. Put one hand on the bottom bracket tool, and push in, and use the other hand to turn the tool. If you can get somene to help it makes things easier. You can use both hands to hold the tool in place while the other person turns the lever. Better again, put a pipe over the lever to give you extra leverage.

the pipe really makes a big difference, I used an old handlebars stuck over the tool the other day to remove the lockring from a cassette hub. Huffed and puffed for ages without it, stuck the extension on and a wee bit of effort and all sorted.

Ryder

Thanks verb. Putting the bike on its side may be the way to go. Either that or the walk of shame to a bikeshop.

Bunnyhopper

Two suggestions:

1 - Get the quick release skewer off the back wheel and put it through the bottom bracket and the tool (with the quick release lever to the "non-tool" side) then clamp it down to help hold the tool in place when you apply force. You don't need to clamp it down very tight - just enough to stop it twisting off the grooves when you start trying to turn.

and/or

2 - If you have a vice mounted on a bench then you can put the BB tool into that, put the whole bike on top of it and use the frame as a lever to turn it on the tool. It's best to take the wheels off to reduce the weight, and get someone to help hold it all steady.

Hope that's some use to you, and Merry Xmas

jollylee

Maybe i'm stating the obvious but don't forget that the cup on the right side will loosen in the clockwise direction.

Ryder

Thanks for all the replies. Dont have a bench vice. Tried getting someone to stand on the tool but still pops out. Must be rusted in. Will not budge. The only other option i can think of is to break it with a hammer and chisel and just piece it out. Is this insane? Ps have been turning clockwise.

Hermy

Where are you based?
I could loan you a vice for the job if that's any good.
I don't like the idea of taking a hammer and chisel to it.
Have you applied a penetrating oil to the area?

Hermy

Did you have any luck with the BB yet?

Ryder

Did the walk of shame and dropped it into my lbs today. Will let you know tomorrow.

Hermy

No shame in that if they can fix it for you.

Ryder

For all me you eagerly awaiting the outcome...brought it to Think bike on the rathmines rd. Judging by the chips on the BB they had some difficuly removing it. All fixed now. Good job and nice guys. Would go back again. Kona on the other hand dont grease components as had to change the headset as well and bike in only a year old. Wont buy from them again. Thank for all the advice. Happy new year.