Shimano BB removal - special tool?

[swee'pea99]

I just went to replace the chainset on my new bike with a compact, but have been stopped in my tracks by the cap thingy on the end of the axle. I looked up a youtube vid, and the guy removed the thingy with a large allen key...but this thing is bigger than any allen key I have, and it's got spline thingies in it.

Do I need a special tool to remove it, or can I bodge it somehow? (Don't mean to sound mean, but I only plan to change this once, so I'm keen not to lash out cash unless I really have to.)

 

[ianrauk]

You need one of THESE £1.75 @ Wiggle.

Though the nut shouldn't be over tightened as it's to preload the bearings. A 20p coin may be able to undo it if not too tight.

 

[Paul99]

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-crank-install-tool-hollowtech-ii/rp-prod3785?_$ja=tsid:46412|cgn:Shimano - Tools|cn:Chain Reaction-UK-PLA-PLA-All-DT-SE|kw:14422UK_Shimano Crank Install Tool HollowTech II&gclid=COOQwInl6boCFQXHtAod7mUAUQ

This?

Edit: beaten to by ianrauk!

 

[the_mikey]

The part you are looking at shouldn't be very tight, you may be able to loosen it with another tool, the bottom bracket tool is made for the job though. I would remove any other screws holding the crank arm onto the spline before attempting to remove the bearing preload screw.

 

[User6179]

I have the tool but am sure someone said a coin can work , going by the size maybe a 20p ?

Edit - just read bottom of Ianrauk post

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks all. Even I can afford that kind of money!

 

[shortone]

Its the preload adjuster for the chainset. When fitting the new compact chainset you adjust the preload to the chainset using this cap before tightening the bolts on the left hand crank arm.
I have and old large screwdriver that fits to remove mine.
Make sure the two allen bolts on teh crank are are loosened before trying to remove.

 

[smokeysmoo]

As has been said, a 20p will do. In fact it will work perfectly, although you may need to grip it with pliers/mole grips to undo it.

That said it shouldn't be more than finger tight anyway, I always managed fine until I eventually bought the correct tool a while ago.

 

[RWright]

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/park-tool-bbt-10
It is worth the extra money if you do a fair amount of hollowtech 2 bb work

 

[smokeysmoo]

It is worth the extra money IMO if you do a fair amount of hollowtech 2 bb work

FTFY.

TBH I could never justify the price of that despite doing a fair amount of HTII BB fettling. I don't even know any bike shops that use such an over engineered tool.

FWIW I can't imagine my plastic one ever wearing out.

 

[RWright]

FTFY.

TBH I could never justify the price of that despite doing a fair amount of HTII BB fettling. I don't even know any bike shops that use such an over engineered tool.

FWIW I can't imagine my plastic one ever wearing out.

If you ever get a cap that has been overly tightened you would gladly pay double for one.
A bike I bought had the cap put on too tight, stripped the little cheap plastic tool with very little effort, and being very careful. Putting a can opener handle on it was a modern engineering marvel. Amazing what science is able to accomplish these days.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

The part you are looking at shouldn't be very tight, you may be able to loosen it with another tool, the bottom bracket tool is made for the job though. I would remove any other screws holding the crank arm onto the spline before attempting to remove the bearing preload screw.

Don't bother completely removing the 2 crank arm bolts. All you need to do is loosen them, then you can undo the star-nut / preload nut / whatever else it's called, and the crank will then come off easily enough.

 

[Crackle]

Tyre lever fits in there quite nicely

 

[martint235]

Don't bother completely removing the 2 crank arm bolts. All you need to do is loosen them, then you can undo the star-nut / preload nut / whatever else it's called, and the crank will then come off easily enough.

Although don't forget the weird little lever (at about 4 o'clock in the pic) that needs to be flipped out first.

 

[Wooliferkins]

The Ice Tools BB cup socket has an integrated preload cap remover. So much easier than looking under the fridge amongst the spare bearings for wherever you put the little Shimano tool last time so you wouldn't lose it