@#$$ what do I do now? - stripped crank

[Jules]

Ok Trying to pull the shimano crank off my Colnago with a crank extractor.

 

 

 

Thinking: "this crank is on very tight.' So I put more pressure.

 

 

 

Good, the extractor starts turning. But it's not the crank it's pulling off, it's the frikkin thread inside the crank. All the way to the end!

 

 

 

So how the hell do I get the thing off now? It's the right side crank. Will take pics now.

[gummibear]

I dont know but if you know someone with a engenering place they can help.

[Johan Bornman]

Let me guess....you left the washer inside the crank and therefore the puller didn't have enough threads to engage?

 

Your crank is ruined. Take a deep breath and go shopping.

 

If you are not too fussy about colour, sizes and some scratches, I'll give you one.

[Johan Bornman]

You also asked how to remove it now? Destuctive methods now come to play. YOu can try a pulley puller but these are three-arm devices and you can never get  it onto the crank's spider.

 

I suggest removing the BB with the crank attached and then move over to your vice and hacksaw.

 

You can also play Myth Buster if you like and try and crack the crank by tightening the hell out of it. However, the bolt always breaks first, leaving you with two problems.

 

 

[Jules]

Actually there wasn't a washer. I suspect that the thread was not in excellent shape to begin with (this is a bike I've just bought, don't know the history).

 

 

 

The cranks are not worth that much so I guess it's not too much of a disaster, although it does break the groupset, which I was hoping to sell on another bike

 

 

 

Any idea how I'd remove the BB with the crank still attached? It would be easier if it were an external BB. I'm thinking of attacking the crank with a grinder...

 

 

 

Jules2008-12-05 10:39:26

[JPW#]

 

I also did that once trying to get a crank off a spinning bike, I used a hammer and Q 10 to get it off afterward, it worked. Ahh the old 600 cranks, just tap it lightly with a hammer that's my advice, if you have a rubber hammer even better!

JPW#2008-12-05 10:39:34

[Dirtbreath]

Trying to think out the box here. If you stuck the frame into a chest freezer would the contraction of the metals make it easier to remove?

[Johan Bornman]

. I'm thinking of attacking the crank with a grinder...

 

You'll be amazed at how resilient aluminium is to an angle grinder. It completely clogs the thing up.

 

 

[Jules]

Trying to think out the box here. If you stuck the frame into a chest freezer would the contraction of the metals make it easier to remove?

 

 

 

 

Bwahahaha, that's thinking in the box!

[Wyatt Earp]

Jules

 

Go to any good hardware store and ask them for a beeeeg bearing puller, it will clamp around the spider ,put a coin in the crank to turn the centre bolt against, this will pull the crank off.

Also turn the bike on the side and drop some coke in there, that should loosen things up a bit before you attempt the job.

 

[Ox_Wagon]

Bearing puller does the trick.

[Wyatt Earp]

Sorry Jules

 

A piccie for you

[Jules]

Thanks Summit, what can I expect to pay for one of those?

[javadude]

 

I had a similar problem with a shimano 600 crank, also on a Colnago strangely enough. Used a dremel tool and end of a hacksaw blade. Other advice i got was to remove the bolt and ride the bike until the crank came loose.

 

[Ox_Wagon]

I paid R50 for a not so great quality one at Autozone. Midas also stock them.  Better quality ones are around the R100-R200 range.

[Johan Bornman]

Thanks Summit' date=' what can I expect to pay for one of those? [/quote']

 

Jules, as I mentioned, they're three-armed and the crank four or five. It is simply not compatible since you can't get the arms in there. However, I have several of them, from small to large, you're welcome to come and try.