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My cranks had loads of play in them and I was getting all sorts of noises from around my chainrings. So as neither had been changed since I bought my Specialized StumpJumper SFR 120 bike in 2005 I went for an upgrade.

I swapped out my Old Hollowtech cranks, chainrings and separate Bottom Bracket cartridge for a fully integrated Shimano XT cranks, chainrings and bottom bracket set. This comprehensive Bike Surgery post covers a video tutorial and article on the removal of the cranks and bottom brackets. There is a seperate one for installing the new ones.

• Get your bike ready and tools to hand
• Lets talk tools. I used an adjustable spanner/ wrench, a BBB ISIS or Square crank removal tool, a  Bottom Bracket  tool for installing and removing Shimano® and ISIS Drive® spined 20-tooth bottom bracket cups (pic on right).and some Allen Keys, lots of rags and kitchen roll. The other items in the pic i.e. the  tape measure, the bottom bracket spanner and the lube I used for putting on the new gear in the other tutorial.
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• First of all I took out the screw holding in the crank arm with an Allen key.
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• Once off I then attached the BBB ISIS or Square crank extractor tool by screwing it in with my hand
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• Then I tightened it on the inner nut (closest to the bike) with a spanner
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• Then moving the spanner to the outer nut (furthest from the bike) I screw until the pressure of the spindle on the inside of this tool pushed the cranks and chain ring away from the bike.
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• NB: If you were changing your chain rings this would be the same process up to this point.
• Right go round to the other side of the bike and do the same i.e. take of the crank screw with an Allen key, attach the BBB tool and and remove the crank arm.
• Once all is removed the Bottom bracket is exposed on both sides. Starting with the non drive side (other side from where the chainrings were) you then insert the Bottom Bracket tool for removing 20 tooth bottom bracket cups.
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• Fit it in snugly and turn with a an adjustable spanner / wrench
• Then go round and do the other side and voila the Bottom Bracket will slide out.
• Clean and lube
• Go put the kettle on

Check out Post for installing the integrated Shimano XT Bottom braket crank set.

Comments (2)

Psycholist said:

... Putting a post on removing a BB up without writing that the drive side cup unscrews clockwise (It can be seen from the video if you're looking carefully for it and I watched it without sound, so it may have been said, but the photos and text don't mention it) or mentioning that BB's tend to be pretty tight, so there are safety issues like the tool slipping (That particular design of BB tool is very prone to slipping as the force you put on the tool handle is a long way out from the splines of the tool, causing the tool to lift out of the splines under load) that should be noted as well as useful techniques to apply to removing stiff BB's. The main trick is to apply as little force as possible to the longest lever you can get. Do not hammer anything, bounce on the spanner handles, stand on things etc. this will lead to injury (And damage your tools and bike). I'm actually pretty impressed you got the old BB out with the tools shown and your knuckles intact... Please don't take this as too critical - I've just read a lot how to guides that repeat the information you've given and very few that give enough information to actually do the job for most (Seized or heading for it) BB's.

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October 15, 2007
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stumpy_dan said:

... Hey thanks for the extra information you clearly have removed a few bottom Brackets. This didn't require too much force and I was recommended the tools I used from a bike mechanic (although they knew I was on a budget). It didn't require undue force so maybe I was just lucky or have really strong wrists, or realistically mine had not yet seized..so your point is taken. The information on the drive side cup unscrewing clockwise is a good point as is the fact that as BB's are often very tight care is needed to damage neither yourself nor your bike. Thanks again.

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October 15, 2007
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