> Having just serviced a Raleigh BB and crank, I would highly
> recommend using a cotter pin press to remove, install, or adjust the
> cotter pins.
I have to heartily agree with Greg Thies on this issue - purchase fresh cotter pins and then use a cotterpin press (at LBS or borrowed from LBS) !!
My first cotterless crankset was purchased because I failed repeatedly to reinstall the cotterpins on my Raleigh Grand Prix in a way that would prevent loosening and 'waggling'. If you cannot install cotterpins correctly and consistently, you will be unable to do yearly maintenance on a cottered bottom bracket, and it will wear out quickly.
A cotterpin press is a _must_. If you don't use a cotterpin press or can't borrow one, I'd make certain at the very least to grease the cotterpins lightly to increase the chances of getting a tight fit.
A cotterpin is ruined once the faces are not flat. Remove your pins one at a time, as there is a 95% chance that one is ruined. Luckily, replacements should be very cheap ($2 ?)
Here's a bit of good news. Because pins are very soft steel, it's unlikely that you have ruined or even scored the hardened bottom-bracket spindle.
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA