Tim McNamara wrote:
> See the true story of my misadventures
> with these:
>
> http://www.sheldonbrown.com/mcnamara.html#bubs
Sooo... did the crank (arm) expire, or are you still using it?
I'm still using mine-- crank (arm) that loosened at least once, CRec.
Seems that if you're using hand tools at work, the allen key is fine.
Without constant exercise, what once was tight isn't tight enough any
more. And/or, wrench not long enough <g>.
The counter man at the local DIY car parts place told me "We don't
carry those" when I asked for a 3/8"drive x 7mm allen tool. Well, yes
they did, and on a special card rack of their very own <g>! ("Go look
for yourself") The plain allen wrench is available in hardware stores
for $.75 or so. The ratchet tool, $6-7, and well worth it IMHO.
Standing up in the peanut gallery dept: I've reduced a 1/2" ratchet
handle to 3/8", to use the longer handle, making it easier to start
bolts, and pull cranks. Carefully applied "extra" torque doesn't give
that allen head time to think about rounding out <g>... after a nice
drip of lube in the gap around the central, moving part of the
"self-extractor", and a little time to seep, of course.
The 3/8" drive x 7mm allen works great on a torque wrench when it's
time to put the crank (arm) back on-- the longer handle makes it a
bunch easier to apply enough pressure, and the measurement function
tells you when to quit. It's a surprising amount of force, per
manufacturer's recommendations. Craftsman (as noted here in the past)
sells a reasonable beam-style torque wrench, calibrated in inch-pounds
(or maybe even metric) pretty cheap-- $30- $40 for tools, including
"allen socket". Lots cheaper than that CRec crank (arm). Back on my
bleacher seat. --D-y