|
|
| *Vultures Knob>>>Mountain Bike |
How do i disassemble the crank on a mountain bike? |
How do i disassemble the crank on a mountain bike? The crank is the shaft the pedal is mounted on. Removing this can be fun! Most modern cranks have a removable cap (you may need a special tool just to remove the cap). Inside there may be an Allen-headed bolt or a unique bolt that requires a special tool. If its an Allen bolt you may still need a special long-handled tool to develop the serious torque sometimes necessary to release the bolt! Finally you'll need another special tool to remove the crank from the spindle. Ideally fix the pedal itself in a vice. If you can't do that put your foot on the pedal as you exert force on the tool. Remember that the left one has a reverse thread (so it won't loosen under the action of pedalling). Having got the retaining bolts out you now have to release the cranks from the spindle. To do this you screw the special round headed tool into the crank (where the cap was formerly screwed in). Once finger tight you use a large spanner to continue to tighten the tool, forcing the crank off the spindle. Soemtimes this is easy, sometimes it is bloody difficult! So, even with current generation cranks, you need special tools, strength and determination. If your bike is getting on a bit it may use an older spigot fitting. Here a half round wedge-like pin is driven into a space between the crank and the spindle and then tightened using a spanner. Fitting these is easy, getting them off can be murder. You'll still need the special crank removal tool as above. Just a thought: Why are you trying to remove the crank? If its to maintain the spindle-bearings etc, be aware that almost all bikes now have sealed-for-life cassette systems. You'd be best taking your bike to a good repair shop. Having lived in the home of the cycle, Cambridge, and experienced loads of cranks on bikes trying to run my dogs and I down because they are yelling instructions at the rowers on the river Cam and not looking ahead I feel I am more than qualified to answer this one. I suggest that you chop off their heads and point them in the right direction (ie ahead, not to the right or left), and disassemble their hands, replacing them in such a position so they can reach the brakes they had previously been unable to use. Then remove the mouth to avoid the barrage of abuse you would otherwise get for having the audacity to wish to walk on a public path without being cycled over! As for anything technical or mechanical, sorry, I haven't a clue. I only learned to ride a bike at the age of 37... it'll take me another 37 years to learn how to fix one!! Good luck! |
| Tags |
| Kids Bike Schwinn Bike Cruiser Bike Road Bike Folding Bike Mountain Bike |
Bike Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster |