How do I remove my cranks

[Bob]

I know I'm just doing something wrong here. I bought 2 types of crank pullers, looked all over at the online manuals and even got a book (which has helped with a few other items), but I still can't get them off.

They are XT cranks, about 3 years old now. The arms are threaded and it looks like a large hex wrench could fit inside in the bottom bracket. The also look like they are splined. The crank pullers will thread into the arms, but the arms are only aluminum and I can feel them start to strip if I really tighten them. The smaller tool has 2 sizes of a hex type wrench on the end, but neither fit inside.



http://home.comcast.net/~bobhoad/pictures/crank.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~bobhoad/pictures/tools.jpg

[stoneage]

Easy...try to think positively, do things you like to do, see people that you want to be with and try to be happy. :)

[Bob]

Easy...try to think positively, do things you like to do, see people that you want to be with and try to be happy. :)

Ok, I'll bite.

-Comes back a few minutes later-

I was in front of my bike with a big grin thinking happy and positive thoughts. I also told it that if it cooperates, we will be out with other bikes very soon. Needless to say, the cranks are still on it. :eyeroll:

I really hope this was supposed to be for a different post.:cool:

[Kosk]

I believe you need a large hex, like a 8 or 10 and you pull out the crank bolts with that first. Then you use the crank arm extractor after that. From your pic it looks like the crank bolts are still in there.

Both should be of normal thread (righty-tighty). After that, use the crank puller. If the pusher on the crank puller is not engaging anything (you have a hollow spindle BB) then look inside with a flash light. If you see a small step-down in the overall inside diameter of the spindle, then stick 1,2, or 3 small sockets from your socket wrench set inside the spindle, they should just fit in, so they rest against the step down, but can still easily slide out. (be sure to put them in open end first, then you can use a socket screw driver or coat hanger to engage the square drive end to pull them back out.) Then use the crank puller to pull the cranks off, pushing on the socket heads for leverage!!!

OR you could go buy the correct crank-arm puller for that special shimano BB. Which would probably work too. But I always used the socket head trick when I had a couple of those BBs and it works slick. Way cheaper too.

Are you thouroughly confused yet?

If you are having that much trouble you may just want to take it to a LBS before you screw something up.

[EDIT: Actually, it looks like you may have the crank arm puller you need, so just get a big hex and take the dang crank bolts out first and you should be good to go!!]

[Bob]

I believe you need a large hex, like a 8 or 10 and you pull out the crank bolts with that first. Then you use the crank arm extractor after that. From your pic it looks like the crank bolts are still in there.

I was thinking that as well, but didn't have a hex large enough to try it. I'll get one tonight any try it.

When I picked up the tools, I asked the shop and was told less than $10 to pull them for me. So, worst case I bring it in. I just wanted to figure out how to get it off on my own.

Thanks for the help.

[Kosk]

Yup, go to the hardware store and pick up a "large" set of hex wrenches. It's an 8 or a 10, I can't remember which one. heck, get a whole set 1.5 up thru 10, you'll need em all if you are gonna keep wrenching on your own stuff.

By the time you figure it out you'll have spent twice as much on tools as the bike shop would charge, but then you'll have the knowledge and the tools, and you can never have too many tools!!

[Ish]

not to confuse things - but are those the "one key release" type which self extract with the hex?

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/Pipe_Billet_Spindle_type.shtml

either way - get the hex wrench and if it comes out - use the puller next, if it self extracts you are golden!

[FSSS]

I asked the shop and was told less than $10 to pull them for me.

$10 - you gotta start going to cooler shops!

Even if you spend $20 on tools, you are better off.

[stoneage]

I was thinking that as well, but didn't have a hex large enough to try it. I'll get one tonight any try it.

When I picked up the tools, I asked the shop and was told less than $10 to pull them for me. So, worst case I bring it in. I just wanted to figure out how to get it off on my own.

Thanks for the help.
This from my friend:
Billy,
I can't really tell from the picture if there's a nut threaded onto the axle, but if there is, you have to take that off first with a socket wrench before you can use the crank arm puller.
If I was home, I'd go look at my own XT crank. I had it off once and I can't recall what the deal was, but I don't remember having any trouble.
I will follow up with Mike later, if you haven't figured it out by then. Billy