Rant: That one time a bottom bracket took me four hours

I thought a seized square taper BB on an old Peugeot would be a quick job... maybe an hour. The thing was fused solid, even with my biggest wrench and a cheater bar. I ended up having to make a custom tool from a socket and a bolt, and soaked it in penetrating oil for two days before trying again. Has anyone else had a simple job turn into a multi-day fight with a stubborn part?

3 comments

3 Comments

amyk9220d ago

Honestly, that sounds like you made it way harder than it had to be.

lee.stella12d ago

Oh man, do I ever feel this. I once spent a whole afternoon trying to get a freewheel off, only to realize I was turning the tool the wrong way the entire time. I mean, I had the whole setup with the chain whip and everything, just cranking away getting madder and madder. My neighbor finally came over, took one look, and just started laughing. I felt like a total genius.

reesel9220d ago

Had a crank arm that just would not come off. Ended up heating the crank with a propane torch for a solid minute, then hitting it with a gear puller while it was still hot. The sudden change from the heat broke the rust bond. Sometimes you just have to get mean with old parts.