Removing Cranks from Square taper BB

[roubaixtuesday]

On trying to remove the cranks from the tandem, it seems incredibly difficult to get a crank puller to engage.

I've now tried two different pullers and have (after some time trying) managed to get two of cranks off, but not the others.

The puller just won't screw in; once it was in on the two that came, it was easy to screw in the whole way, so it's not that the threads are stripped the whole way, just it seems the initial thread has been damaged, presumably by a previous removal.

Any thoughts?

I don't want the existing cranks, so destroying them isn't a problem. Was wondering if cutting through (with a dremel?) was a good way to go?

[PH]

The usual recommendation, if you're not trying to salvage the cranks, is to loosen the bolts and ride around the block a few times. I used to consider that right dodgy advice, but Park Tools recommend it so I guess it's OK.

[Jdsk]

The puller just won't screw in; once it was in on the two that came, it was easy to screw in the whole way, so it's not that the threads are stripped the whole way, just it seems the initial thread has been damaged, presumably by a previous removal.

Which thread do you think is damaged?

Running a bolt/tap or nut/die through/along the damaged thread might help.

Jonathan

[Carlton green]

I once found myself unable to get a traditional crank extractor to work. The solution for me was to use a bearing puller, fortunately I already had one, but they’re not dreadfully expensive.

[geomannie]

A Unior tapered crank puller is a good bet when you can't get a normal crank puller to engage. Pretty cheap to buy.

https://uniortools.com/eng/product/1662 ... ank-puller

[roubaixtuesday]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

Tried the cycling around with the bolt off to no avail (also jumped up and down on the cracks a bit), and some judicious use of the hammer, again without joy.

Then reverted to trying to get the puller in and by some miracle it worked on the eleventy first time of trying. Success.

All four cranks were difficult in the same way to some degree, I think the outermost threads have been damaged by the strange bolts which held the cranks in - will post a pic tomorrow to explain.

Anyway, managed to fit the cranks from the old tandem and get the timing chain on too, so back to rideable.

[Jdsk]

Well done

Jonathan

[drossall]

Which cranks? Don't TA for example have a slightly different thread size?

[roubaixtuesday]

Which cranks? Don't TA for example have a slightly different thread size?

Thanks, I had no idea there were different ones.

Anyway, they're all out now.