Bottom bracket removal challenge

[rogerzilla]

Brompton owners know your pain. The trick with the FAG is to bolt the tool in place using a crankbolt and a suitable spacer (I found a brass 1/2" toilet inlet adaptor that fitted over the spindle). Then pray a lot.

The FAG tool is almost designed to cam out and chew up the cup, given half a chance.

 

[battered]

Brompton owners know your pain. The trick with the FAG is to bolt the tool in place using a crankbolt and a suitable spacer (I found a brass 1/2" toilet inlet adaptor that fitted over the spindle). Then pray a lot.

The FAG tool is almost designed to cam out and chew up the cup, given half a chance.

Yes, I did the retainer trick with a big washer and crankbolt, but the plastic splines ripped out anyway, both sides. I actually thought I had won, but it just stripped the splines. I have since spent several hours with a soldering iron, and removed all the plastic I can with that. Still no go, because I have the iron between the frame and the bearing shell, so they are heat sinking everything I put in. I'm working up courage to get a flame on it, hopefully with VERY gentle heating I can get that whole corner of the bike up to ~200C without overheating any ally bits, at that point the plastic will melt and I can just smack out the steel innards. Once they are out I can winkle out the remaining bits of plastic without damaging the threads. Fingers crossed...

 

[GuyBoden]

Yes, I did the retainer trick with a big washer and crankbolt, but the plastic splines ripped out anyway, both sides. I actually thought I had won, but it just stripped the splines. I have since spent several hours with a soldering iron, and removed all the plastic I can with that. Still no go, because I have the iron between the frame and the bearing shell, so they are heat sinking everything I put in. I'm working up courage to get a flame on it, hopefully with VERY gentle heating I can get that whole corner of the bike up to ~200C without overheating any ally bits, at that point the plastic will melt and I can just smack out the steel innards. Once they are out I can winkle out the remaining bits of plastic without damaging the threads. Fingers crossed...

I removed most of the plastic from both cup sides, it was then easier to remove the BB with a gentle tap with a hammer and screwdriver/chisel.

These Kinex BB from Slovakia were a good quality component with good bearings in their day, but the plastic cups were a bad idea.

 

[rogerzilla]

I had to drill and cut out a FAG once.

 

[GuyBoden]

Problem was, the correct tool was/is quite expensive £70, for a one off job.

https://www.bikester.co.uk/cyclus-t...fmegakinex-plastickks-silverblue-1441980.html

 

[Peugeotrider]

Hot air heat gun,melt it out and then the bin.
If unsure of threads...refit a threadless bb

 

[battered]

Got the bastard. Jesus, what a chore. Flames, bashing, but it's done.

 

[Punkawallah]

You love it, really :-)

 

[battered]

You love it, really :-)

when I win, yes. When I lose, no.