I’m doing my first bike project and I’m trying to repaint this Trek 800 frame. I don’t want to sand or paint with the bottom bracket on, so I’m trying to figure out how to take it off. Do I need a special tool? Is there a hack to do it without the tool?
by Training_Lawyer1448
7 Comments
Standard BSA square tapered cone and cup BB probably, judging by the spindle.
About removing (without a special tool).
Left (no chain) side cup – pipe wrench (right-hand thread).
Right (chain) side – M16 bolt with a nut and an impact drive (left hand thread on the right cup).
Tighten that nut (bolt on the inside) and hit it clockwise with 24mm socket bit with an impact drive. This is the easiest way.
Or you can weld a long pipe to it, or try to also use a pipe wrench, but it is probably stuck good in the frame.
Change this to a closed bearings BB, they are like $5 and have a proper unified tool for removing/installing them, cone and cup BBs are awful. Just remember to get the same spindle length one and to grease the threads before installing.
The non-Drive side just unscrews normally (right hand threads).
Ideally you have the right tools, but if you’re stuck you can use a nail and a hammer to tap the lockring loose, and then to unscrew that cup.
If all you are doing is opening to inspect and then refresh the grease, you don’t need to remove the drive side. You can reach through to clean it out.
https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/bottom-bracket-service-adjustable-cup-and-cone
Do you have a bike coop in your area?
A hammer and punch, channel locks or a pipe wrench will work for the non-drive side.
For the drive side, you can make a removal tool with a thick bolt and some washers. See uncle Sheldon’s solution. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/bbcups.html
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrkqf91H_Zk&t=409s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrkqf91H_Zk&t=409s)
All you need to know can be found in this video.
You’ll need a spanner and a crescent wrench.
I would always use a hammer and screwdriver for these.