Stuck bb help

[ishaw]

So my gt lightning has arrived and I've stripped it down but the bb is stuck. I don't want to harm the frame while attempting to remove it.

I have a shimano bb tool, but its one that requires a spanner and I don't want it to slip and damage the splines. I don't think I have any bolts long enough to clamp the tool in place, any other options?

I should soak it in something, any suggestions on stuff that would do the job that I may have lying around in the garage. Not got anything like plusgas, alternatives?

Cheers

 

[mdvineng]

Can you put the tool in a vice, then rotate the frame?

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Don't have a vice (well I do, but it is not a fixed one). Not sure how I'd secure the tool in place though if I could set it up.

 

[retroJIM]

Some tips here from when I had a similar problem - http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... mp;start=0

I used a long clamp to stop the tool from slipping.

 

[legrandefromage]

Soak it!

Clean engine oil down the seat tube, let it stew for a week or so otherwise it may all go horribly wrong

And most definitely bolt the tool in place.

Park do the correct bolt but its not that easy to find

 

[syncrosfan]

Impact driver will make this an easy job, because you're only using your strength to push the tool in and the driver does the rotational work.

 

[rwm1962]

Funnily enough I've just ordered a long M8 bolt & washers to clamp my BB tool in place for regular use but the tool in vice & turn the frame normally works for stubborn ones. In the past I've also used the long cylindrical tool for placing crown races as extra leverage on the big adjustable. A length of scaffold pole or similar would suffice with a 2nd pair of hands to brace the frame.

Impact driver - as used for BB's by RJ the bike guy. Not sure what else I'd use one for but will keep an eye out in my usual German shopping outlets!

 

[legrandefromage]

All very nice but unless the BB is ready to come out, the splines may just sheer off, then its extra faff on a most faffy scale of faffnessness

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Yes, keen to avoid the faff of sheared splines.

And bigger faff of a broken frame.

Why oh why can't people just do some basic maintenance or even grease things properly before fitting?

 

[2manyoranges]

Re:

I know your pain.

Methods which don’t work:

1 impatience - always allow two days to soak in GT85 or similar
2 time travel - going back to when it was installed and actually using anti-sieze
3 mashing your hands on the concrete floor of the garage when the tool slips off
4 staring at it
5 glaring at it
6 shouting at it

If you haven’t got PlusGas you MUST Have GT85 or WD40 - they work as well but take longer. Even MucOff wet chain lube has a penetrating action.

So...methods which DO work - and outlined above - all involve soaking in release fluid, keeping the tool on the BB - eg with the M6 long bolt as you describe above, and LEVERAGE. I agree with a long pole or something which extends the adjustable wrench. It helps enormously.