Bottom bracket removal tools...advice and help.

[feetabix]

i had the same dilemma recently wook.......i bought the tools to do the job and im glad i did, the bb is as good as new and im glad i bothered......its a simple job to do, it all came apart in seconds with no hassle and, as with all cup and cone stuff, is infinitely adjustable and serviceable in the future.....

 

[wookiee]

So...

A visit to my friendly LBS and a lend of their correct BB tools and the old BB came out in a matter of mins! Very fortunately it was not fused in and the threads all looked nice and clean no corrosion. Upon inspection of the spindle I saw straight away that both surfaces were badly pitted...I didn't bother checking the bearings themselves but a brief glance at those showed they were far from smooth and had rust on aswell! Also a plastic sleeve was also in the frame (see pic) it had to come out tho so that the new BB would fit.

So I got a UN54 and the correct tool and went home quite pleased with myself...

 

[wookiee]

Then it came to fitting it....

...Drive side went in fine, then in the last couple of turns on the non drive side there was that tell tale click sound of plastic snapping! :evil: Yup you guessed it the non drive side cracked!! Arse!!

So will it be ok with the crack? He asked hopefully or will I have to find a replacement plastic bit?

Wook

 

[xerxes]

My UN54 has been in the frame for a couple of years with a cracked plastic cup and hasn't caused any problems. The cartridge itself keeps everything together and the plastic cup only holds it in place within the frame so it'll probably be fine. Leave it in and see if it actually does give you any problems before worrying about it.

It's a shame you didn't get the UN55, it's basically the same cartrigde, but now comes with a metal cup.

 

[wookiee]

My UN54 has been in the frame for a couple of years with a cracked plastic cup and hasn't caused any problems. The cartridge itself keeps everything together and the plastic cup only holds it in place within the frame so it'll probably be fine. Leave it in and see if it actually does give you any problems before worrying about it.

It's a shame you didn't get the UN55, it's basically the same cartrigde, but now comes with a metal cup.

That was going to be my chosen way forward...ride it and see! Yeah the UN54 was the only one my LBS had in stock and seeing as they let me use their workshop and tools felt obliged to buy the new BB from them...

 

[xerxes]

Yeah the UN54 was the only one my LBS had in stock and seeing as they let me use their workshop and tools felt obliged to buy the new BB from them...

That's fair enough. Provided the whole assembly is held solid within the frame and can't move about I think it'll be fine. I've got a UN54 in one frame and a UN72 in another and they're excellent, both as smooth as the day I fitted them and have easily outlasted any of the separate cup and cone types I've had fitted to road and MTB frames over the years.

Sadly they've discontinued the UN72, I don't think the bearings are any better, but it was about 50g lighter.

 

[sylus]

I wouldn't worry and would ride it...you can always ask in the wanted section for a un54 cup in plastic or metal..someone might have one spare?

 

[wookiee]

Provided the whole assembly is held solid within the frame and can't move about I think it'll be fine.

Its in solid I think I was just being a bit brutish with my fitting! But in my defence I had like a 1mm gap between it and the frame and I was gently (kinda!) persuading it in the last mm when it cracked...Feels lovely and smooth tho unlike the the old one. Not had the chance to ride it yet tho so we'll see!

 

[marc two tone]

great. the older spindle n cup bb's were good, indeed, but if not removed and and serviced once a year, problems arise fast. based on a well used bike.

anyway a good corner has been turned here.

the cup just carries the sealed bb body and keeps it straight. if it's nipped up well then you shall have no bother.

however, if it does fail or irritates your senses. i have one spare

 

[wookiee]

great. the older spindle n cup bb's were good, indeed, but if not removed and and serviced once a year, problems arise fast. based on a well used bike.

anyway a good corner has been turned here.

the cup just carries the sealed bb body and keeps it straight. if it's nipped up well then you shall have no bother.

however, if it does fail or irritates your senses. i have one spare

Yes Marc very lucky that the old one came out so cleanly after your experiences I was a bit worried! However the drive side came out with little force...the non drive did take 99% of my strength but shifted (the full 16 stone on it!)

I'll see how I get on with the cracked cup...I mean plastic...really! Just a bit gutted once again when a bike job that was going so well still f**ks up at the last hurdle! I'm sure many on here can empathise!

I'll let you know about the cup tho!

Cheers!