Cannot remove BB from 95 Rockhopper

[bifter]

I need advice!

I've been giving my 85 Specialized Rockhopper an overhaul. All is going well except...

The BB is grinding like hell so I want to replace with a new one. I bought a suitable BB tool but cannot get the damn thing out.

On the non chain side I put in my BB tool and tried to turn anti-clockwise. It was not budging at all so I then got a long pipe slid it over my tool and applied pressure. The tool started to bend! No movement in the locking collar at all. I tried smacking it with a hammer but nothing. Finally, the handle of the BB tool was so bent I managed to remove the BB adapter and use a decent wrench with it. Even this started to bend when I used my pipe.

So I thought maybe there is some weird system where the BB is in reverse. I tried the other side and the section just disintegrated in the tool. It was like this kind of brittle plastic stuff.

My mate had this bright idea that we could melt the plastic and then hammer out the BB from the non-chain side. This didn't work either.

I'm completely stumped as to getting the bloody thing out. What's my options, if any?

 

[Tad]

I just had to take a blow torch to a frame to get the BB. Scorched the paint but heating it up worked a dream, unscrewed nice n easy.

If you have a bence vice stick the BB tool in the jaws of the vice pointing upwards, lay the frame on, make sure it fits well, then move the frame.

Try soaking it in plusgas or WD40, If that doesn't work a kettle of boiling water over the BB shell, if that doesn't work out with a blow torch (13 quid from screwfix)

 

[bifter]

Cool thanks, will try the WD40 first, failing that I'll be happy to torch the little f*cker!

Unfortunately, I don't have a bench vice, so may have to drop by my friendly neighborhood bike repair shop.

Don't mind scorching the paint as I plan to get the whole thing powder coated soon.

 

[dyna-ti]

Dont use the handled variety use a standard one that you use a big shifter on.
You can use a long bolt the same thread as the pedal taper to hold the BB tool tightly in place.
Then use your biggest shifter with a 2" extension,pull with all your might
You might want to try tightening it first[if it moves that is]as this can help break the bond,sudden tugs can also help jar it loose.
and use plenty of gt85 or wd40
But if you keep at it than im sure you'll get it out

 

[fingers]

for extra leverage I have a 2-3 foot long very heavy piece of scaffold pipe... I use an expensive spanner on my BB tool and after tremendous flexing, it works...

 

[Dead Rats]

I had to use an impact wrench at 50+PSI to get this one out:

use the LBS I reckon!!!

 

[zigzag]

I had a similar problem. Like dyna says, first of all get the BB 'socket' tool itself without a handle. Then:

1. Use a G-clamp to hold the BB socket tool firmly into the BB. This stops it stripping the teeth and jumping out. This made all the difference for me, since you can actually get all the leverage you need on it.

And as has already been mentioned:

2. Big arse spanner/adjustable on the socket.
3. Big arse bit of scaffolding for leverage... or if you have a whirlygig clothes drier, they also work

 

[bifter]

Thanks for all the tips.

First I'm gonna bath this little fella in WD40 for a few days. Then borrow a big ass spanner and a g-clamp from my neighbour with a shed load of tools and have another crack at it. Then if it doesn't work I will return to neighbour and see if he or his pops has a bench vice.

 

[dyna-ti]

If your mate has a vice then use the standard BB tool bolted on and use the bike to turn
Mind and go the right way and dont hold the tubes too far away ,ie dont hold on to the headtube and try to use that,hold it near to the bb,say the uptube and the chainstays.
a damn good grip and your weight behind it
You'll get there yet
And all will be well with the world

 

[bifter]

Argh, had another bash at it tonight, still no joy It soaked in WD40 for 2 days, then put a 3 foot metal pipe over my spanner handle. Ended up turning the spanner on the BB socket tool and rounding off the hexagon into a circle! I'd swear this thing has become part of the bike.

I'm in Brussels, I found out there is an open work shop that you can drop by and use near to where I live. Will pop over at the w/e and see if they've got better tools for the job. Now what's the French for Bottom Bracket?