any tips on removing a crank

[jim55]

i need to take my crank arm off to fix /replace it ,,its a shimano deore triple on a square bb ,,iv took the nut off and its stuck solid ,,iv gave it a few taps but im scared of damaging it prop ,,any ideas peeps

 

[chillyuk]

To pull it off safely and easily you need a crank extractor like this . Halfords do them as will your LBS or they are on on Ebay for a couple of quid.

(I am assuming it is a normal square taper crank as I am not familiar with Deore. Someone will be along to tell you shortly.)

 

[jim55]

yeah its defo square ,,is there any way of getting them off without the special tool

 

[smokeysmoo]

^^+1, it's the only safe way to remove the cranks. I use THIS one

If your in a fix though and don't want to buy a tool, your LBS will be able to remove it. They can't charge you more than a pound or two as it only takes a minute. My LBS would do it FOC, but he is a legend.

PS: You only need to tool to remove, the bolts tighten it back on

 

[oldroadman]

All correct. Whatever you do, DON'T start hitting it with anything. Use the proper tool, it's not expensive and designed for the job. IF you bodge with a mallet or similar, you WILL damage the crank, and it WILL fail at some point. Which will hurt you and your wallet!

 

[jim55]

ok ill just get one then

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Two things to watch out when using that tool. First make sure the tool is fully screwed into the crank without cross threading while the middle nut is fully backed off, second make sure the floating tip is not bigger than the tip of the square taper it is supposed to push - often it is and if so remove it. Failing to do the former will likely and the latter will certainly strip the crank's soft alloy thread.

 

[PoweredByVeg]

I have seen it written somewhere that you can loosen the nut holding the crank on, ride it up and down the road until it loosens, then carefully ride home

Now, I'm not saying this is a good idea, but it may just work (or not!)

If it all goes tits-up, you aint seen me, right

 

[smokeysmoo]

ok ill just get one then

Makes sense While you probably won't use it very often, they don't cost much and will more than likely outlast you if used properly

 

[albion]

Shows what good value that LIDL 35 piece toolkit is, even if it had risen dramatically to £25.Mine cost £18, but that was about 5 years ago.

 

[Wades]

Just to echo previous comments defo make sure you don't cross thread it. I did this and as a result spent the weekend teaching the neighbours cat all kinds of colourful language!

 

[Globalti]

It helps if you put a bit of grease or oil on the threads of the inner part (the actual remover) and the tip that bears down on the end of the axle.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I have seen it written somewhere that you can loosen the nut holding the crank on, ride it up and down the road until it loosens, then carefully ride home

Now, I'm not saying this is a good idea, but it may just work (or not!)

If it all goes tits-up, you aint seen me, right

All that will achieve is the premature wear of the surfaces on which the crank arm normally sits.

 

[apollo179]

in extrimis it is possible to get crank arms off with careful use of a hammer and bolster. Ime the chainring side is alot harder to prise off.
Obviously using the correct tool is recommended as advised above - with the correct tool its a helluva lot easier and less traumatic to the bike (and you).

 

[stevetailor125]

If anyone in NW Leicstershire need a crank removing or anything like that they can always pop round. My specialist tools are growing every day since starting bicycle recycling