I've stripped
> two of my bikes down in
> preparation of rebuilds. Both have Campagnolo SR
> BB's. On both bikes I
> can't get the fixed cup to loosen. I'm using a Park
> fixed cup removal tool,
> both bikes are English thread.
*******
my favorite works-nearly-every-time solution for
removing stuck bottom bracket cups (actually works on
either side, if you can get the other one out) is to
make an inexpensive version of a bicycle research tool
by going down to your favorite hardware source and get
a 4" long 5/8" bolt, and two or three nuts to fit same
(the bolt will probably have only about two inches of
thread). install one (or two) of the nuts all the way
down on the thread, getting 'em good and tight, and
jammed against each other if you're using two.
ok, now for the fun part: take this assembly, and
insert it into the bottom bracket shell so that the
end of the bolt protrudes through the fixed cup, and
thread the remaining nut on same and tighten it until
it binds up against the cup (you may have to hold the
other end of the bolt to retard its turning until it
'catches'). now you have a large flat to apply a lot
of force to in order to apply sufficient torque to get
that cup loose and then out, since you're turning the
nut clockwise, and once it's jammed against the cup
it'll be rotating it (cup) in the direction it threads
*out*.
we use this device enough that it's worth it to spring for the little bit extra for grade 8 steel -- if it's just a one-shot deal you may find the generic stuff is fine. penetrating oil/lube may make the task easier (and a good layer of grease on the threads when you re-install it will make subsequent removals easier). you can (and indeed may *have* to) use a lot of torque (like a four foot breaker bar/pipe) on this operation, so make sure that the tool you have on the nut can take that kind of stress, and also make sure that your frame is held in such a way that it won't be damaged. as for the cup itself, I find steel/steel makes for the best interface, but I s'pose you could 'pad' inner &/or outer surfaces of the cup with rubber (old inner tube?) or kraft paper.
good luck, and let me know how it turns out.
Never had a problem
> before with any other
> bikes.
***
actually, *this* is the part that I found amazing..
Any tricks or ideas on how to get them loose
> without ruining the
> cups (functionality and cosmetics) or ruining my
> knuckles?
***
bruce krueger bikeworks urbana IL
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