Hi,

Im embarrased I forgot how to do this, I removed the pedal, the outer nut, washer and inner nut, now I see the sealed bearings. I thought they just pop out, but didnt seem to come out even when pulling on them. I dont want to pull to hard and break something, is there a trick im missing. These have been untouched for 20 years, so I sprayed some wd40 in there to loosen stuff up, but still no luck. The cranks are free, but I cant get them out with those bearings there.

Also, since they are sealed bearings, what should I do to them?

Note, I want to get the cranks out to soak the frame (rust removal)

thanks
Joel

I assume you mean one piece cranks with a sealed bottom bracket? Chances are the bearings are shot anyways if the bike has been sitting that long with no action, which could be why they aren't coming out. Try to get your finger in there to spin them and see if they feel "crunchy". If they are, no point in trying to save them. Once you have the bearing number (which is usually on the outer shell of the bearing or on the rubber seal) you can easily replace them at a fraction of what a shop charges by going to your local bearing supply house or a real hardware store. I order most of my bearings from the local well pump repair shop and typically pay around $4 to $7 for the bearing depending on type.

You can buy a brass punch and get it in there and whack it with a hammer. Just make sure you are hitting the punch to metal and not the bearing seal. They should pop right out. To get the cups out, do the same thing but you might need a bigger punch. I've been doing it this way for years and have done very little damage if any to the frames.

Are you going to soak it in white vinegar to remove the rust? It works unbelievably well and it's sort of fun to watch.

thanks that worked, I used screwdriver, the bearings were not in great shape. I attached a picture, I think the cranks are these, can anyone confirm:

http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/Seal...arings/Kit479_1

The others are from my headset, I dont see a number on those, any idea where I can order new ones?

thanks
Joel
Click to view attachment

Those look close but something doesn't seem right. Is there no bearing supply shops in your area? You could buy a micrometer and measure yourself for sure. They aren't terribly expensive and you will find other uses for it. You might even be able to take the bearings to a machine shop and have them measured for a small fee or try the oldest hardware store where you live. I do know that Home Depot and Lowe's are horrible places for customer service, but you can buy a micrometer there.

DON'T THROW THE OLD BEARINGS OUT, YET!!

some of those old sealed BBs for 1-pc cranks used modified (bored out) bearings. matching the # may not get a new bearing that actually fits.

take actual measurements of your old ones to a bearing supplier (or you can type them in the "search" on the VXB site).

Hey Mr. CB, your knowledge never ceases to amaze me and I never would have thought of that. Part of the reason I cruise this thread is to read your answers. I learn a little something every time. That was why I was trying to prevent the destruction of bearing seals.

Have you ever had any luck removing seized sealed bearings with decent seals and soaking them in degreaser and vinegar, then lubing and replace old seals? I'm just wondering if it ever worth the time?

i've cleaned/repacked cartridge bearings many times, but only when they've been in good shape. i've never bothered with any that are rusty/crusty/damaged. never had to replace any seals.

I've done the cleaning/repacking more times than I can count. I think next time I get something that is rusty/cruddy I'm going to give it a try for the heck of it as long as the seals are still in good shape.

MR CB was right, I ordered bearings that matched the size (even used a micrometer), but they are slightly different, not sure what bored out means, but yes I think they might be, meaning, I cant fit the bolt that goes inside them to lock the cranks on the new ones, but can squeeze on the old ones. I saved the old ones but they are are rusty, nasty and I messed the seals up bad getting them out (screwdriver through them), so the question is, what now? Is there anyway to get the right ones? any suggestions as to how. I dont have a local bearing shop, the closest one is 60 miles away and when I called them they said they were just a small sales shop, didnt even have any bearings on site.

I could try to soak them and use a wrench to flatten out the seals, but I fear they are in pretty bad shape.

ideas.....?

thanks
Joel

Hey Mr. CB, your knowledge never ceases to amaze me and I never would have thought of that. Part of the reason I cruise this thread is to read your answers. I learn a little something every time.



+1 on that

i figured that out a long time ago "the hard way".

i had ordered replacement bearings for something using the bearing # and found the new ones were different. measured them both and sure as sh... the old ones didn't measure to the spec for that #. checked a few other similar BBs and found the same thing. the inside races on the OEM bearings were all bored out to a slightly larger size to accept the threaded collar.

well im not sure how well it will work in the long run, but I was able to use a dremmel tool and a grinder attachment to bore out the insides enough to fit everything into them.

Joel