PF30 repair possible?

[AFrightfulHobgoblin]

Hi - long time lurker etc... now looking for some advice.

I was out for a ride at the weekend when I started getting a click from the crank area - one faint click per rotation - got rapidly worse to a click-click-click that could be heard several metres away from the bike.

Investigated once I got home and I can see and feel a problem with the drive side crank bearings, I can see that the seal is slightly lifted, there are some rust marks at the same spot and it has a decidedly 'notchy' feel if I rotate it by hand. So far so good, but what do I do about it?
Bike manuals (it's a Focus) say that the PF30 (FSA) should be considered a permanent attachment once it's on a carbon frame. Some Google results suggest that maybe it can be removed with heat and force.
On the other hand, assuming I leave it attached to the frame I haven't found any good info about removing and replacing the bearings within the PF30 cups either.

So - do I aim to replace the whole PF30 assembly or just the bearings?

Thanks for any help.

(And what am I doing to cranks? First thing to wrong with my other bike was that the crank axle developed a fracture.)

 

[User6179]

Needs a new BB ,I don't think you can service them , one of these I think -http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...gclid=CPn24fe3l8UCFYTnwgodFiUAtA&gclsrc=aw.ds , LBS will have the proper tools to remove and replace if your not confident doing it yourself .

 

[AFrightfulHobgoblin]

Needs a new BB ,I don't think you can service them , one of these I think -http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...gclid=CPn24fe3l8UCFYTnwgodFiUAtA&gclsrc=aw.ds , LBS will have the proper tools to remove and replace if your not confident doing it yourself .

Thnaks. I'll call the local LBS and get a price, then decide if it's worth tackling.

 

[User6179]

Thnaks. I'll call the local LBS and get a price, then decide if it's worth tackling.

I tried to service my Shimano pressfit and gave up , then it stopped clicking by itself ,Not seen the PF30 but you might be able to remove the seals and get grease into it if the bearings are not knackered , I wouldn't try to remove the cups from the frame though in case you damage them.

 

[AFrightfulHobgoblin]

Thnaks. I'll call the local LBS and get a price, then decide if it's worth tackling.

Awesome start to my forum presence, "Thnaks" and "Local LBS" in one post.

 

[Tim Hall]

Park tools (which are generally very good) guide to PF30 bearing replacement here.

Looks do-able by the enthusiastic amateur but calls for a couple of special tools. Whilst I would bodge a bearing remover on a steel bike (hammer plus suitable bit of steel), I'd think twice about doing it on a plastic-and-soot one. Headset press for replacement isn't so hard to make out of nuts, screws, washers and bolts.

(I rather like this from the instructions: Repeat impacting the BBT-30.3 driver until one bearing adaptor is fully out. Translation: hit it, son.)

 

[Yellow Saddle]

a plastic-and-soot one.

In the old days we used to call them carpet fibre bikes but I rather like this one. It'll annoy more owners so I'll use this in future.

(I rather like this from the instructions: Repeat impacting the BBT-30.3 driver until one bearing adaptor is fully out. Translation: hit it, son.)

And....if it isn't moving, your hammer is too small.

 

[Andy_R]

And....if it isn't moving, your hammer is too small.

Yehbut, we all know it's not the size of the hammer, it's the way you swing it.

 

[AFrightfulHobgoblin]

Park tools (which are generally very good) guide to PF30 bearing replacement here.
....

That Park tool is getting on for £40. LBS quoted me a tenner. Think that's decided it then! Thanks for help and info

 

[bpsmith]

the Park Tool is made for a lifetime of use. Ideal if you keep the bike long enough you will make the money back. It's never going to be giving a return after the first use.