Supporting the back side of the crankarm when pounding out cotters performs two important functions. First, it helps keep the rest of the bike from absorbing some of the impact. Second, and possibly more important, it protects the BB bearings from having to absorb the shock. You can literally pound dimples into your bearing races if you are not careful. Always support the crankarm.
The nice thing about the presses is that, when they work, they can save a classic cotter for reuse. Lubing the cotter a few days ahead of time with penetrant can make a big difference.
Steve "Torque" Barner, Bolton, Vermont
> Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 10:49:10 -0800
> From: "henox" <henox@icycle.net>
> To: <ABikie@aol.com>, <bcschrader@yahoo.com>,
> <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Subject: Re: Pressing issue, (was:Re: [CR]Re: Cotter pin removal
>
> Subject: Pressing issue, (was:Re: [CR]Re: Cotter pin removal
>
> I've used a Var press, a Park press, and a clever Italian press which
Peter
> Rich (Velo Sport) brought back from Italy.
>
> Using a press can mush the end of the cotter over.
>
> I've had much better results using a 3/4" x 10" brass drift (struck by a
> large hammer) to both remove and install cotters. (Remember how a pool cue
> ball can transfer all its kinetic energy to another ball if hit
> squarely.....its like that).
>
> Hugh Enox
> La Honda