Info re: Crank removal

In article said:

I am trying to undo the crank bolt on the chainwheel side on my Giant TCR2. for a service of the
bottom bracket.
Q: Which way does the Allen key bolt unscrew? Clockwise or anti?

Should be a normal right-hand-thread (counter-clockwise to remove).

Quoted message said:

So far I have managed to bend 2 Allen keys without any apparent movement of that stubborn bolt and
before using brute force and harder steel, I would like to be sure!

That sounds like a problem.

Quoted message said:

The same question would also apply to the fixed bearing cup!

English fixed cup is left-hand-thread, clockwise to remove.

The drive-side bearing cup is left-hand threaded. The crank bolts are standard right-hand threaded,
and as far as the stubborn bolt, try laying you bike on its side and soaking the bolt with
penetrating oil, like Break-free.

"Fred" <"Fred"@invalid.btinternet.com> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am trying to undo the crank bolt on the chainwheel side on my Giant TCR2. for a service of the
bottom bracket.
Q: Which way does the Allen key bolt unscrew? Clockwise or anti?

Standard thread so unscrews anti-clockwise. Crank bolts should be tight! I find one of the hex bist
that came as part of my socket set works well, the ratchet handle being significantly more
substantial than my Allen keys.

Quoted message said:

So far I have managed to bend 2 Allen keys without any apparent movement of that stubborn bolt and
before using brute force and harder steel, I would like to be sure! The same question would also
apply to the fixed bearing cup!

Fixed cups on bottom brackets undo clockwise (left hand thread),

Quoted message said:

TIA Fred

"Fred" <"Fred"@invalid.btinternet.com> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am trying to undo the crank bolt on the chainwheel side on my Giant TCR2. for a service of the
bottom bracket.
Q: Which way does the Allen key bolt unscrew? Clockwise or anti? So far I have managed to bend 2
Allen keys without any apparent movement of that stubborn bolt and before using brute force
and harder steel, I would like to be sure! The same question would also apply to the fixed
bearing cup!

TIA Fred

First, are you certain you need to service the BB? more on that later...

I am not sure which Shimano crank (I assume it's a Shimano, yes?) is on a TCR2, but regardless, you
turn the bolt counter-clockwise. However, the crank could use a "one-key release" system, in which
case the arm will be driven off with the hex key, or it could have a standard bolt, in which case
you will need a Park CCP-3(not sure about the model #), or a Shimano TL-CF15 adapter plug along with
a CCP-2 (or any other standard removal tool), to remove the arm.

The way to know which system is on your crank is to look carefully at the cap surrounding the
bolt. If there are two small holes in an aluminum cap surrounding the bolt, it is a one-key
release system. If, on the other hand, all you see is a smooth black surface, once you remove the
bolt you will need the special Park remover, or the Shimano adapter plug and a conventional puller
to remove the arm.

Chances are, there is no "bottom bracket cup" on your bike; the crank will turn on a sealed bearing,
cartridge-style bottom bracket. There IS NO SERVICING that can be performed on these units, so you
*may* not need even bother to remove the cranks. But if indeed the cartridge is no longer good (they
do wear out after awhile), to remove it from the frame you will need a Park BBT-2 splined cartridge
removal tool, and a 32mm spanner (or a 3/8" drive ratchet). On the "fixed bearing cup" side ( the
side where all the chainrings are, or the right side of the bike) you would turn the wrench
clockwise to remove the unit.

Fred' 'Fred'@invalid.btinternet.com said:

I am trying to undo the crank bolt on the chainwheel side on my Giant TCR2. for a service of the
bottom bracket.
Q: Which way does the Allen key bolt unscrew? Clockwise or anti? So far I have managed to bend 2
Allen keys without any apparent movement of that stubborn bolt and before using brute force
and harder steel, I would like to be sure! The same question would also apply to the fixed
bearing cup!

TIA Fred

Impact wrench. Reverse one of the bits so that the butt end fits into the bolt. Also works very well
for installation, insuring the crank snugs up the tapered shaft.

Bruce

Thanks, one and all! The reason I am trying to get to the bearings is, that I am getting a ticking
sound at 1 o.clock position on chain wheel side under load and I want to eliminate that annoyance.
It seems to be smooth enough without chain and there is no play or roughness in the BB, but ever
since I was knee high to a grasshopper, I have always managed to take anything apart. (Of course
putting things back together again was a different matter!) And I do not like to be defeated! I know
it could also be the pedal, but after 3000 miles I thought the bottom bracket might also benefit
from a clean up. Well, I have got a Giant agents shop not too far away and it looks as if it would
be far better not to get my hands dirty on this occasion! I'll let you know how I get on! Thanks
again Fred

<[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Fred' 'Fred'@invalid.btinternet.com said:

I am trying to undo the crank bolt on the chainwheel side on my Giant TCR2. for a service of the
bottom bracket.
Q: Which way does the Allen key bolt unscrew? Clockwise or anti? So far I have managed to bend 2
Allen keys without any apparent movement of that stubborn bolt and before using brute force
and harder steel, I would like to be sure! The same question would also apply to the fixed
bearing cup!

TIA Fred

Impact wrench. Reverse one of the bits so that the butt end fits into the bolt. Also works very
well for installation, insuring the crank snugs up the tapered shaft.

Bruce

As promised - update Finally got irritated enough to dismantle my chainwheel side pedal and found
that instead of 13 ball bearings there were only 12 in one of the races. Maybe the guy assembling
the pedal in the factory was superstitious or couldn't count or they were saving money! Whichever -
problem solved! And again - thanks for advice. Fred

"Fred" <"Fred"@invalid.btinternet.com> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks, one and all! The reason I am trying to get to the bearings is, that I am getting a ticking
sound at 1 o.clock position on chain wheel side under load and I want to eliminate that annoyance.
It seems to be smooth enough without chain and there is no play or roughness in the BB, but ever
since I was knee high

to

Quoted message said:

a grasshopper, I have always managed to take anything apart. (Of course putting things back
together again was a different matter!) And I do not like to be defeated! I know it could also be
the pedal, but after 3000 miles I thought the bottom bracket might also benefit from a clean up.
Well, I have got a Giant agents shop not too far away and it looks as if

it

Quoted message said:

would be far better not to get my hands dirty on this occasion! I'll let you know how I get on!
Thanks again Fred

<[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Fred' 'Fred'@invalid.btinternet.com said:

I am trying to undo the crank bolt on the chainwheel side on my Giant TCR2. for a service of
the bottom bracket.
Q: Which way does the Allen key bolt unscrew? Clockwise or anti? So far I have managed to bend
2 Allen keys without any apparent movement of that stubborn bolt and before using brute
force and harder steel, I would like to be sure! The same question would also apply to the
fixed bearing cup!

TIA Fred

Impact wrench. Reverse one of the bits so that the butt end fits into the bolt. Also works very
well for installation, insuring the crank snugs up the tapered shaft.

Bruce